JPH0769829B2 - Method and system for loading a selectable source drive operating system into a computer - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to improved computer systems, and more particularly to a method and system for loading a selectable source drive operating system into a computer. Further, the present invention relates to a method and system that allows a computer user to select an alternative disk storage device that is used, among other things, to automatically load an operating system onto a computer.

[0002]

Information processing devices such as computers or information processors are becoming more and more common today. In order for it to operate properly, such an information processing device or computer must initiate a process known as initial program load (IPL) to load the operating system of choice for the computer. Smaller conventional computers, so-called "personal" computers, typically use a single operating system, such operating system being a disk storage device or a digital operating system.
It is stored in a storage device such as a memory and loaded first.

[0003] Generally, such computers are powered on by a power-on system test (POST) or other initialization to determine what storage devices or peripherals are in the system when the computer is powered on. Perform a system check. Such initialization systems typically interrogate and determine the characteristics of peripheral devices within the environment in a fixed, deterministic manner to provide a predictable and repeatable software environment. Therefore, microcode applications such as basic input / output systems (BIOS) are used to control hardware operations such as interaction with disk drives, fixed disk drives, and keyboards.

All fixed disk storage within the system in the enhanced basic input / output system (ABIOS) is ordered, and the computer using the system then operates from the first priority disk in the system.
Try to load the system. Thus, the operating system is always an enhanced basic input / output system.
Must be in first-order disk storage in the enhanced basic I / O system for initial program load (IPL) into a computer system using (ABIOS).

Many systems are known for controlling the initial program load processing in a computer system. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-275951
Use the initial program load initiator that is loaded before the operating system load is complete. The initial program load initiation program contains information that the computer can use to determine which disk drive to use to complete the initial program load.

US Pat. No. 4,626,986 starts a processor with multiple initial load programs that can be used to load different operating systems into a computer. Thus, conventional microcomputers operate using either of two operating systems by explicitly controlling which operating system should be loaded during the initial program load. be able to.

US Pat. No. 4,491,914 discloses a system for sequentially using a plurality of initial program load devices to automatically operate in the event of failure of the initial program load devices. The system is thereby
A failure of the initial program load device may cause the initial program load system to start despite a failure or defect in the system.

Finally, PCT Publication No. WO 90/06554
A computer-initiated process that may allow a computer to be "booted" from an external input / output peripheral such as a disk storage device is disclosed. By loading the operating system from an external disk reader, the system can use software, including an internal operating system which may consist of different formats.

[0009]

Despite the advantages of each of the above-referenced patents, there still remains a problem with loading operating systems into computers. For example, model P of International Business Machines Corporation
State-of-the-art personal computing devices such as S / 2 computers can control many such disk storage devices, but as a result changes to the system configuration are difficult when trying to load an operating system into a computer. May give rise to sex.
Attempting to relocate the operating system code to an alternative disk storage device may also lead to errors or problems at computer initialization.

Thus, the operating system does not have to be stored in order on the first-ranked disk storage device, allowing the operating system to be loaded into the computer from an alternative disk storage device, the alternative disk storage device being used by the user. It is clear that there is a need for a method and system that allows for selection.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved computer system. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and system for loading a selectable source drive operating system into a computer.

Yet another object of the present invention is an improved system and method that allows a computer user to select an alternate disk storage device to use to automatically load an operating system into a computer. Is to provide.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has the following features by being configured as follows. That is, the present invention provides a plurality of disk storage devices, an initialization system for automatically ordering all disk storage devices in a deterministic manner in response to power supply to the computer, and a first rank disk storage device for the computer. A method and system for enabling an operating system of an original drive selectable to a computer system having a processor used to load the operating system.

The present invention also features a unique logical identification assigned to each disk storage device according to an order determined by the initialization system and used to make the selected disk storage device accessible to the processor. And The unique logical identification of the first rank disk storage device is:
It is automatically replaced with a unique logical identification of a user-selected alternate disk storage device before loading the operating system, and the processor then uses the alternate disk storage device to load the operating system into the computer. In short, the system configuration has changed.
Operating system, etc.
May have to be
The system configuration is changed substantially by changing the system.
It may be changed. In such a case, the present invention is not necessary for the operator.
To use the operating system you want,
Select and use the disk storage device that stores this. Obey
The alternative disk storage device according to the present invention is
In addition, if the operator desires,
The disk storage device selected for use. Details
Details will be described later.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a high level block diagram of a computer system that can be used to implement the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, computer system 10 typically includes a system processor 12 connected to a display device (not shown) and a keyboard 66.

In addition, system processor 12 is connected to random access memory 14 and read only memory 16 via control bus 60, data bus 62, and address bus 64. Processor 12 also includes control bus 60, data bus 62, and address bus 64.
Via various adapters 32, 34, 36, 38, 40,
42 is connected. Obviously, such an adapter can accommodate various peripheral devices that can be connected to the processor 12 using known expansion slots or adapters.

Computer or data processing system 10
It is also clear that can be implemented using a so-called "personal computer", such as the PS / 2 computer of International Business Machines Corporation.

In the read-only memory 16 of FIG. 1, selected code portions stored in the read-only memory 16 are shown to ensure that the data processing system 10 is ready to use it. A power-on system test (POST) code 20 according to known methods typically resides in the read-only memory 16 for the data processing system and provides data in a deterministic manner to provide a predictable and repeatable software environment. Used to initialize the processing system 10. The power-on system test (POST) code 20 sets the order in the disk storage device and other peripheral devices connected to the data processing system 10 during other tasks.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a number of disk storage devices that may be included in data processing system 10. For example, a small computer system interface (S
CSI) controller 24 connects controller 24 directly to control bus 6
0, a data bus 62, and an address bus 64 to connect a plurality of small computer system interface fixed disk drives 26, 2
It can be used to support 8,30.

In addition, various other small computer system interface controllers may be installed in the adapters 34, 36.
Can be connected to the data processing system 10 via available adapters or expansion slots. As shown in FIG. 1, an additional small computer system
Interface (SCSI) fixed disk drive 46,
48, 50, 52, 54 can be connected to the data processing system 10 via adapters 34, 36.

It will be appreciated that an Enhanced Small Device Interface (ESDI) disk drive controller can also be arranged as shown as adapters 32,40. In accordance with the method as shown in FIG. 1, the enhanced small device interface controller 32 acts to control the extended small device interface disk drive 44,
Enhanced small device interface controller 40 can be used to control expanded small device interface disk drive 56. Thus, it should be apparent that the data processing system 10 can access and use multiple disk storage devices, such as the fixed disk storage device shown in FIG.

Referring again to the Power On System Test (POST) Code 20. Fixed disk storage within computer system 10 is typically ordered by considering various factors. These elements are, for example, RO
The hierarchy of M-codes, the location of slots within the multiple adapters available in computer system 10, and the priority of each disk drive listed by an individual controller.

If there are two or more different types of fixed disk storage devices in computer system 10,
The established hierarchy is used to initialize the ST506 disk storage, followed by the extended small device interface disk storage, followed by the small computer system interface disk storage. As shown in FIG. 1, there may be multiple controller cards and multiple storage devices within the selected fixed disk storage technology.

Thus, the power-on system test (POST) code 20 orders the disk drive controllers starting from the lowest slot number and then controls all disk storage devices connected to a particular controller to the next control. Order before proceeding to device. There may be multiple controllers that use both the enhanced small device interface controller and the small computer system interface controller.

Within the disk storage of an individual disk drive controller, it may be ordered by cable location (International Business Machines Corporation PS / 2 model 8).
0 Computer extended small device interface, like disk storage). Alternatively, disk storage within a single controller can be ordered by logical identification such as individual disk storage within a small computer system interface controller system. In such a system, a small computer
System interface disk storage devices are typically ordered starting from the highest small computer system interface (SCSI) address.

Also included in the read-only memory 16 is an enhanced basic input / output system (ABIOS) code 18 used to load the operating system into the computer system 10, as shown in FIG. Fixed disk storage ordering in computer systems using the enhanced basic input / output system (ABIOS) is completed by a power-on system test (POST) code and common data as depicted in random access memory 14. It is represented to the operating system by the location of the logical identification assigned to each fixed disk storage device according to the order stored in area (CDA) 22.

The logical identification for each disk storage device is an index into the common data area (CDA) 22 and is used as a handle to the advanced basic input / output system (ABIOS) service routine.

In addition, the entry in each logical identification is a device block pointer and a pointer to the function transfer table for a particular Advanced Basic Input / Output System (ABIOS) service. In this way, the common data area (CAD) 22 is loaded to load the operating system.
The logical identification of the first disk storage device stored within is that of the first disk storage device within computer system 10.

Based on many operating systems, such as the International Business Machines Corporation OS / 2 operating system, the logical identification of the first disk storage device is the fixed disk storage from which the operating system is loaded. Identify the device. Thus, it will be apparent that there is a need for a method and apparatus by which an operator of computer system 10 can specify an alternative fixed disk storage device from which an operating system can be loaded.

FIG. 2 is a high level flow chart illustrating a method and system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, start at block 20 and proceed to block 82. Block 82 is an internal extended basic input / output system (ABIO
S) Illustrate the introduction of a logical identification "swap" code as a device identification extension. By introducing a logical identification "swap" code in this manner, the code is loaded regardless of the type of disk enhanced basic input / output system (ABIOS) support that is present.

For example, the extended small device interface (E
Either SDI) disk storage or small computer system interface disk storage may be present. Normal extended basic input / output system (A
(BIOS) Through the initialization procedure, this "swap" code gets control. The logical identification "swap" code gains control of the initialization procedure through calls to the builder block and function transfer table, as shown in block 84. Thereafter, as shown in block 86, the code searches the common data area (CAD) 22 (FIG. 1) to obtain the logical identification of the first order disk storage device within the computer system 10 and thereafter the logic. Store the identification value.

The logical identification swap code then searches the common data area (CDA) 22 to load the operating system into the computer system 10 and thus select the alternative that the user wishes to use. The logical identification of the disk storage device designated by the user as the fixed disk storage device is acquired. Obviously, this can be accomplished by using the Start Utility program and using the keyboard 66 (FIG. 1) in response to a listing of the appropriate menu screens of all available fixed disk storage. .

Here, this logical identification value is stored. Then, in accordance with an important feature of the present invention, the logical identification of these two disk stores is to swap the device block pointer and the transfer table pointer in the common data area (CDA) 22 of the random access memory 14. Are exchanged or "swapped" by. Block 9
2 illustrates updating the logical identification field in each device block to reflect the newly exchanged logical identification value.

The ABIOS code of the small computer system interface controller in the device block of the logical identification of the small computer system interface (SCSI) controller is the size of each small computer system interface disk connected to that controller. Holds a logical identification value for a storage device. Thus, block 94 illustrates determining whether the logical identification for the first order disk storage device in the computer system 10 is that of a small computer system interface disk storage device.

If yes, the process proceeds to block 96, where the logical identification stored in the device block for the small computer system interface disk controller becomes a new logical identification for the disk storage device in question. It is operated to reflect. On the other hand, if the first rank disk storage device in computer system 10 is not a small computer system interface disk storage device, then processing proceeds to block 98.

In accordance with a similar method, block 98 is used to load the operating system into the system computer 10 and the selected alternative disk storage device selected by the user is a small computer system interface disk storage device. It is used to determine whether or not If yes, the process is block 10
Proceed to 0 and manipulate the logic identification value maintained in the logic identification device block of the small computer system interface controller to disk storage in a manner similar to that described above.

In contrast, the alternative disk storage device chosen is a small computer system interface (S
If not CSI) disk storage, processing continues at block 102 which indicates exiting the logical identification "swap" routine.

Under a compatible DIOS environment such as DOS,
Logical identity swapping is not invoked. Instead, a dynamic method of reassigning drive values to each compatible BIOS call is needed.

After the initialization routine has accomplished the exchange of logical identities in the manner described above, the operating system will switch from computer system 10 to a selected alternate disk drive that is not the first priority disk drive in computer system 10. Automatically loaded against. This is accomplished in an overall operating system transparent manner, allowing the user to substantially change the configuration of the computer and then specify a fixed disk storage device to use for loading the operating system. Become.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it is obvious that many changes and modifications can be made according to the idea and scope of the present invention without intending to limit the present invention thereto.

[0041]

According to the present invention, which is configured as described above, the user can select an alternative disk storage device to be used for automatically loading an operating system on a computer, and the system configuration can be changed. If so, there was no difficulty or problem and the operating system could be easily loaded onto the computer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a high level block diagram of a computer system that may be used to implement the methods and systems of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a high level logic flow diagram illustrating the method and system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 computer system 12 system processor 14 random access memory 16 read only memory 24 small computer system interface (SCSI) controller 26, 28, 30 SCSI fixed disk drive 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 adapter 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 SCSI fixed disk
Drive 44,56 Expanded Small Device Interface Disk Drive 60 Control Bus 62 Data Bus 64 Address Bus 66 Keyboard

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Douglas Richard Geisler United States 33434, Florida, Boca Raton, Vila Land Place, 1997 9 (72) Inventor Scott G Kinnear United States 33490, Bo, Florida Ka Raton, Saddle Creek Drive, Address 9005 (56) Reference JP-A-2-109140 (JP, A)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of disk storage devices, an initialization system for automatically ordering the plurality of disk storage devices in a deterministic manner in response to power supply to a computer system, and the plurality of first ranks. A disk storage device for loading an operating system onto the computer system, the computer system comprising: a plurality of disk storage devices for loading the operating system onto the computer system;
A plurality of disk storage devices to be used to authorize a user to select an alternative disk storage device for use by the processor and to grant the processor access to a disk storage device selected from the plurality of disk storage devices. A unique logical identification is assigned to each of the plurality of disk storage devices, and each said unique logical identification is assigned by the initialization system to an order determined by the ordering of the plurality of disk storage devices. Automatically replacing the unique logical identification of the first-ranked disk storage device with the unique logical identification of the alternate disk storage device in the plurality of disk storage devices, wherein the processor then operates. Alternate disk storage for loading a system into the computer system An alternate disk storage device authorization permitting a processor to use an alternate disk storage device selected from a plurality of disk storage devices for loading an operating system into a computer system characterized by using a device Method. 2. The alternative disk storage of claim 1 including the step of storing the assigned unique logical identification for each of the plurality of disk storage devices in a memory associated with the processor. Device usage permission method. 3. At least one of the plurality of disk storage devices includes a small computer system interface disk storage device, the computer system including a small computer system interface controller, and the plurality of disks. Exchanging the unique logical identification of the first order disk storage device in a storage device with the unique logical identification of the alternate disk storage device in the plurality of disk storage devices includes: The unique logical identification of the first rank disk storage device of the small computer system
2. The alternative of claim 1 including the step of replacing with the unique logical identification of the alternative disk storage device in the plurality of disk storage devices held in a device block associated with an interface controller. Disk storage device permission method. 4. A plurality of disk storage devices, an initialization system for automatically ordering the plurality of disk storage devices in a deterministic manner in response to power supply to a computer system, and the plurality of disk storage devices. A processor for loading an operating system onto the computer system using a first-ranked disk storage device, and the plurality of disk storage devices used by the processor to load the operating system onto the computer system . The user will receive an alternative
Disk storage device and a logic unique to each of the plurality of disk storage devices for use in granting the processor access to a disk storage device selected from the plurality of disk storage devices. Means for assigning an identification, and each said unique logical identification is assigned by the initialization system in an order determined by the ordering of the plurality of disk storage devices, wherein the first-ranked disks in the plurality of disk storage devices are assigned. Means for replacing the unique logical identification of a storage device with the unique logical identification of the alternate disk storage device in the plurality of disk storage devices, the processor then loading an operating system into the computer system. said alternative disk SL from the multiple disc storage unit for Computer systems that allow loading of the operating system that pairs a selectable source drive, characterized in that it has to use the device. 5. The selectable source drive operating system of claim 4 including memory means for storing the assigned unique logical identification of each of the plurality of disk storage devices. A computer system that allows loading. 6. The plurality of disk storage devices comprises a plurality of fixed disk storage devices.
Computer systems that allow loading of the operating system that pairs a selectable source drive according.