The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 25, 2002
Filed:
Jul. 07, 1999
Shari J. Nolan, San Jose, CA (US);
Alan R. Merrell, Fremont, CA (US);
Michael G. Panas, Hayward, CA (US);
Alastair Taylor, San Jose, CA (US);
Craig McDermott, Cedar Rapids, IA (US);
Oliver C. Field, III, San Jose, CA (US);
Dell Products, L.P., Round Rock, TX (US);
Abstract
A card management system architecture for managed startup of a system and for monitoring its operation is provided. Both a method and device particularly suited to carrying out the method are provided. According to one embodiment of the method, a second controller evaluates the status of power supplies and then powers up a first controller and processors on input-output processors (IOPs). The first controller evaluates the status of individual IOPs and enables additional power and data interfaces. Additional embodiments involve additional structures and steps. Redundant channels for communications among controllers and IOPs are preferred. In one embodiment, the first bus is implemented as five serial communication lines. Communication between redundant first controllers and between redundant second controllers allows determination of which controllers should be active. Determining which controllers are active may depend on whether the same controllers are in the system as had been in the system during the last proper operation of the system. Enabling a supply of power may depend on whether two or more power supplies are available. Availability of power supplies cooled by fans may depend on whether AC power is available and within appropriate voltage ranges, what the operating temperature is for the power supplies and the speed and status of the cooling fans.