Method and apparatus for extracting first failure and attendant operating information from computer system devices

Abstract

Information regarding the operating conditions of a computer system is stored in a storage which is dedicated to a failure management system. The storage is updated with the current operating conditions either periodically or upon the occurrence of predetermined events. When a first failure identification mechanism identifies a failure in the computer system, a capture mechanism interrupts the updating of the storage leaving information regarding operating conditions which contributed to the failure in the storage. This latter information can then be read out to aid in diagnosis of the failure. Since the operating condition information is stored in a dedicated storage, the information is not modified by events that take place after the failure is identified. In accordance with one embodiment, the computer system ordinarily holds state and other operating information in a set of storage devices, such as, for example, state registers. The dedicated storage device can be a shadow register or other shadow storage device for holding a separate dedicated copy of at least a portion of the operating information so that it is readily available in case a failure is detected. During operation, an updating mechanism continually transfers the information in the state registers to the shadow register until a first failure is detected. When a failure is detected, a capture mechanism controls the updating mechanism to cease transferring information from the state registers to the shadow register. The shadow register can then output its contents, e.g., for analysis, preferably under computer program control.