JP6788203B2 - Information processing system and relay device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system and a relay device.

A method of performing parallel calculation using a plurality of computers (arithmetic units) is known. For example, an information processing system for exchanging data between computers using an Ethernet (registered trademark) line has been proposed.

In such a configuration, when different systems (for example, OS) are installed in a plurality of computers, the computer functioning as a host manages the shutdown process or among the computers as a method of shutting down as an information processing system. The system was configured to shift to shutdown processing by communicating and stopping the power supply.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-275818 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-0863330

However, a configuration in which a computer functioning as a host manages the shutdown process or performs a shutdown process in which communication between computers is performed cannot be applied to an information processing system in which a computer functioning as a host does not exist.
In addition, in a configuration in which communication is performed between computers to stop the power supply, if a shutdown process is performed during the data transfer period, the normality of the data may not be guaranteed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system and a relay device capable of reliably performing shutdown processing while ensuring the normality of data even when a host computer does not exist.

In order to solve the above problems, the information processing system according to the first aspect of the present invention has a plurality of information processing devices, each of which is provided with a processor, and a plurality of slots provided in the expansion bus. A relay device that can be connected to the device and relays communication between the plurality of information processing devices, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the plurality of information processing devices and the relay device via corresponding switching elements. The relay device includes a bridge controller that cuts off communication in a slot to which an information processing device in an uncommunicated state is connected when a shutdown instruction is given, and the information processing device of all the information processing devices. It has a power supply control controller that controls the switching element to cut off the power supply to the bridge controller and the plurality of information processing devices after it is detected that the slot has been cut off.

In the above configuration, the power supply control controller may perform control to cut off the power supply to the plurality of information processing devices prior to the control to cut off the power supply to the bridge controller.

Further, the relay device includes a power button for instructing power supply / cutoff, and the power supply control controller shuts down the bridge controller when the power supply button gives an instruction to shut down the power supply. You may try to give instructions.
Further, when the shutdown instruction is given, the bridge controller confirms the communication status flags of each of the plurality of information processing devices to determine whether or not they are in the non-communication state, and the information processing determined to be in the non-communication state. The slots to which the devices are connected may be sequentially shut down.

Further, when the slots of all the information processing devices are shut off, the bridge controller notifies the power supply control controller to that effect, and the power supply control controller is the said of all the information processing devices. When the notification that the slot is in the shutoff state is given, the information processing apparatus may be instructed to shut down.

Further, the relay device according to the second aspect of the present invention can connect a plurality of information processing devices via an expansion bus and a plurality of slots provided in the expansion bus, and communication between the plurality of information processing devices. A bridge controller that cuts off communication in the slot to which an information processing device in an uncommunicated state is connected when a shutdown instruction is given, the plurality of information processing devices, and the above. It is a power supply control controller that controls a power supply unit that supplies power to the relay device via the corresponding switching elements, and after it is detected that the slots of all the information processing devices have been cut off. It includes a power supply control controller that controls the switching element to cut off power supply to the bridge controller and the plurality of information processing devices.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, when the shutdown instruction is given, the bridge controller cuts off the communication of the slot to which the information processing device in the uncommunicated state is connected, and the power control controller receives all the information. After it is detected that the slot of the processing device has been cut off, the power supply to the bridge controller and multiple information processing devices is cut off, so even if there is no information processing device that functions as a host, the shutdown process is ensured. Can be executed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a connection configuration of a power supply system mainly in the information processing system of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a software configuration example of the platform. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a physical connection state of the information processing system of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing sequence flowchart at the time of shutdown processing of the information processing system of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments relating to the relay device and the information processing system will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments shown below are merely examples, and there is no intention of excluding the application of various modifications and techniques not specified in the embodiments. That is, the present embodiment can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the spirit of the present embodiment. In addition, each figure does not mean that it includes only the components shown in the figure, but may include other functions and the like.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a connection configuration of a power supply system mainly in the information processing system of the embodiment.
In the following description, a case where PCIe (PCI Express) [registered trademark] is used as an example of an expansion bus will be described.

The information processing system 10 is roughly classified into a bridge board 11 and a plurality of platforms 12-1 to 12-7.
The bridge board 11 is roughly classified into a power supply unit 21, a DC-DC converter 22, a PCIe bridge controller 23, a power supply control microcomputer 24, switching ICs 25-1 to 25-7, and a power supply switch 26. ing.

The power supply unit 21 converts the AC power supplied from the commercial power source into DC power having a predetermined voltage (for example, 12 V) and supplies the AC power to each unit.
The DC-DC converter 22 converts the power supplied from the power supply unit 21 into the power supply voltage (for example, 3V) of the power supply control microcomputer 24 and supplies the power.

The PCIe bridge controller 23 controls communication between platforms 12-1 to 12-7.
The power control microcomputer 24 receives the operation of the power switch 26 and controls the power supply to the PCIe bridge controller 23 and the platforms 12-1 to 12-7 via the switching ICs 25-1 to 25-7.

The switching ICs 25-1 to 25-7 are placed under the control of the power supply control microcomputer, and the switching IC25-1 supplies / shuts off the power supply to the connected PCIe bridge controller 23, so that the switching ICs 25-1 to 25-1 to 25 -7 supplies / shuts off power to each of the platforms 12-1 to 12-7 to which the self is connected.

The platforms 12-1 to 12-7 have MPU (Micro Processing Unit), memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and various input / output interfaces (I / O interfaces), respectively. It is configured as a board-type computer (information processing device) equipped with it.

Platforms 12-1 to 12-7 are equipped with, for example, Linux (registered trademark) as an OS, and process independently or in cooperation with other platforms as necessary or in advance. The processing result is sent to the platform that performs the next processing according to the setting of.
The installed OS does not necessarily have to be unified, and the same OS or different versions may be used.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a software configuration example of the platform.
The MPUs provided on platforms 12-1 to platforms 12-7 may be provided by different vendors.
Here, since the configurations of platforms 12-1 to 12-7 are the same, they will be described as platforms 12-n (n = 1-7).

Platform 12-n performs various processes under the control of application 30-n.
A boot loader (Boot loader) 36-n is incorporated in the platform 12-n, and the boot loader 36-n detects OS33-n (for example, Linux) and starts it.

As a result, the OS 33-n reads various drivers 31 including a bridge driver 32 for controlling the PCIe bridge controller 23, and electrically accesses the PCIe bridge controller 23 via the bridge driver 32 and the PC platform 37-n. Communicates with other platforms and performs actual processing.

Further, in the above configuration, the platforms 12-1 to 12-7 are configured to be independently operable so as not to affect other driver configurations.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a physical connection state of the information processing system of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of expansion slots SL1 to SL7 are provided on the bridge board 11 having the PCIe bridge controller 23.
Then, a substrate constituting the platform 12-1 is inserted into the expansion slot SLl to enable electrical connection with the bridge board 11.
Similarly, the substrates constituting the platforms 12-2 to 12-7 are inserted into the expansion slots SL2 to SL7, respectively, so that they can be electrically connected to the bridge board 11.

[1] Operation of the embodiment Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing sequence flowchart at the time of shutdown processing of the information processing system of the embodiment.

In the initial state, the power supply unit 21, the power supply control microcomputer 24, the PCIe bridge controller (denoted as the bridge controller in the figure) 23, and the platforms 12-1 to 12-7 are in the operating state (Working state [S0 state]). (Step S11).

When the power switch 26 keeps pressing the power switch for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) or more while the power lamp is lit (not shown), or when a hardware abnormality is detected, the power control microcomputer 24 causes a power button event. Is executed (step S12), and the power state is confirmed (step S13).

Subsequently, the power LED is shifted to the blinking state (step S14).
Next, a power button event for executing the shutdown of platforms 12-1 to 12-7 is issued and transmitted to the PCIe bridge controller 23 (step S15).

As a result, the PCIe bridge controller 23 shifts to the communication monitoring state and confirms the communication state flags of each platform 12-1 to 12-7 (step S16).
Here, the communication status flag is a flag indicating whether or not each platform 12-1 to 12-7 is in a state of communicating with another platform. The communication status flag is set, for example, when data transfer is being performed (communication is being performed), and is reset when data transfer is completed (communication is not being performed).

By the way, since the data transfer start is communicated from each platform 12-1 to 12-7 via the PCIe bridge controller 23, the PCIe bridge controller 23 can grasp, but whether or not the data transfer is completed is determined. , I can't simply grasp.

Therefore, each platform 12-1 to 12-7 issues a data transfer completion when the data transfer is completed (step S19).

On the other hand, when the PCIe bridge controller 23 is certain of the communication status flag and there is an uncommunicated platform, the PCIe bridge controller 23 shuts off the slot to which the platform is connected (for example, slot SL4 in the case of platform 12-4). (Step S17), and it is determined whether or not all the slots SL1 to SL7 corresponding to all the platforms 12-1 to 12-7 are in the blocked state (step S18).

In the determination of step S18, if all the slots SL1 to SL7 corresponding to all the platforms 12-1 to 12-7 are not in the blocked state (step S18; No), the process proceeds to step S16 again. Then, it will wait for the data transfer completion issuance from the platform that is performing the data transfer.

Further, in the determination of step S18, when all the slots SL1 to SL7 corresponding to all the platforms 12-1 to 12-7 are in the cutoff state (step S18; Yes), the PCIe bridge controller 23 is the power supply control microcomputer. A notification of blocking all slots indicating that blocking of all slots has been completed is transmitted to 24 (step S20).

Upon receiving the all-slot cutoff notification, the power control microcomputer 24 issues a power-off command to all platforms 12-1 to 12-7 to instruct the start of shutdown (step S21).

On the other hand, the platforms 12-1 to 12-7 that have received the power-off command execute shutdown (step S23) when they receive the power-off command as a power button event (step S22).

Then, the platforms 12-1 to 12-7 notify the power supply control microcomputer 24 of the corresponding signal lines S5-11 # to S5_7 # as the "L" level (step S24).
Then, the platforms 12-1 to 12-7 are shut down while the power is being supplied from the power supply unit 21 (step S25).

On the other hand, the power control microcomputer 24 refers to the signal lines S5-1 # to S5_7 #, shuts down each platform 12-1 to 12-7, determines whether or not it is in the off state, and determines whether or not each platform is in the off state. The power stop detection is notified to the user (step S26).
Specifically, for example, the power supply control microcomputer 24 determines whether or not each of the signal lines S5_1 # to S5_7 # is at the “L” level.

Next, the power control microcomputer 24 shuts off the power supply to the PCIe bridge controller 23 when all the platforms 12-1 to 12-7 are in the power stop state, and the PCIe bridge controller 23 is turned off (step S27). ..
In this state, the platforms 12-1 to 12-7 and the PCIe bridge controller 23 are in the shutdown state (soft-off state) (step S30).

On the other hand, the power control microcomputer 24 turns off the power LED that lights up when the power is turned on (step S28), and sets the signal line PSOFF to the “L” level (step S29).
As a result, the power supply unit 21 that has detected that the signal line PSOFF has reached the “L” level stops the output (step S31).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the host computer does not exist, the shutdown process can be reliably performed while ensuring the normality of the data.

[2] Others The disclosed technology is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the spirit of the present embodiment. Each configuration and each process of the present embodiment can be selected as necessary, or may be combined as appropriate.

For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, seven platforms 12-1 to 12-7 can be connected to the PCIe bridge controller 23, but the invention is not limited to this, and the PCIe bridge controller 23 is 6. It is also possible to have a plurality of platforms of 1 or less or 8 or more.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, PCIe (PCI Express) has been described as an example of the I / O interface of each part, but the I / O interface is not limited to PCIe.
For example, the I / O interface of each part may be a technology capable of transferring data between a device (peripheral control controller) and a processor by a data transfer bus.

Further, the data transfer bus may be a general-purpose bus capable of transferring data at high speed in a local environment (for example, one system or one device) provided in one housing or the like.
Further, the I / O interface may be either a parallel interface or a serial interface.

Further, in the case of serial transfer, the I / O interface may be capable of point-to-point connection and data can be transferred on a packet basis.
Further, the I / O interface may have a plurality of lanes in the case of serial transfer.

Further, the layer structure of the I / O interface may include a transaction layer for generating and decoding packets, a data link layer for performing error detection, and a physical layer for converting serial and parallel. ..

The I / O interface also includes a root complex at the top of the hierarchy with one or more ports, endpoints that are I / O devices, switches to increase ports, bridges that translate protocols, and so on. You may be.

Further, the I / O interface may multiplex the data to be transmitted and the clock signal by a multiplexer and transmit them. In this case, the receiving side may separate the data and the clock signal by a demultiplexer.

In the above-described embodiment, the information processing system 10 in which the platforms 12-1 to 12-7 are installed in each of the seven expansion slots SL1 to SL7 has been described as an example, but the number of expansion slots SL and the platform 12 has been described. Is not limited to seven. Further, the number of expansion slots SL and platforms 12 may be different. For example, six or less platforms 12 may be provided for the seven expansion slots SL1 to SL7. In this case, the PCIe bridge controller 23 may block the port of the expansion slot SL on which the platform 12 is not installed to put it in the blocked state.

Further, according to the above-mentioned disclosure, it is possible for a person skilled in the art to carry out and manufacture this embodiment.

[3] Other Aspects of the Embodiment With respect to the above embodiments, further other aspects will be described.

[3.1] First Other Aspect The information processing system of the first other aspect of the embodiment includes a plurality of information processing devices each having a processor and a plurality of information processing devices each having a processor. If, connectable to said plurality of information processing apparatus through a plurality of slots provided in expansion bus, and a relay apparatus for relaying communication between the plurality of information processing apparatuses, the relay apparatus, When a shutdown instruction is given, it is detected that the bridge controller that blocks communication in the slot to which the information processing device in the non-communication state is connected and the slots of all the information processing devices are in the cutoff state. The information processing system includes the controller and a power control controller that controls to cut off the power supply to the plurality of information processing devices.
According to the above configuration, the bridge controller cuts off communication in the slot to which the information processing device in the uncommunicated state is connected when the shutdown instruction is given.
Then, the power control controller functions as a host because it controls to cut off the power supply to the bridge controller and the plurality of information processing devices after it is detected that the slots of all the information processing devices are cut off. Even if the information processing device does not exist, the shutdown process can be reliably executed.
[3.2] Second Other Aspect In the information processing system of the second other aspect of the embodiment, in the first other aspect, the power control controller cuts off the power supply to the bridge controller. This is an information processing system that controls to cut off the power supply to the plurality of information processing devices prior to the control.
According to the above configuration, the power supply of the relay device can be reliably and safely cut off in the shutdown process.
[3.3] Third Other Aspect In the information processing system of the third other aspect of the embodiment, in the first other aspect or the second other aspect, the relay device supplies / shuts off the power supply. The power control controller is an information processing system that includes a power button for performing the instruction operation, and gives an instruction to shut down the controller when the power button instructs the controller to shut off the power.
According to the above configuration, the power control controller recognizes that the shutdown instruction is given when the power button is pressed in a predetermined format (for example, long press) even when there is no information processing device that functions as a host. Since the bridge controller is controlled to shut down, even if there is no information processing device that functions as a host, the shutdown process can be reliably executed by a simple process of operating the power button.
[3.4] Fourth Other Aspect In the information processing system of the fourth other aspect of the embodiment, in any one of the first other aspects to the third other aspect, the bridge controller , When the shutdown instruction is given, the communication status flags of each of the plurality of information processing devices are checked to determine whether or not the information processing devices are in the non-communication state, and the information processing devices determined to be in the non-communication state are connected. This is an information processing system that sequentially shuts off the slots.
According to the above configuration, the information processing device in the non-communication state can be electrically shut off to reliably execute the shutdown process.
[3.5] Fifth Other Aspect In the information processing system of the fifth other aspect of the embodiment, the bridge controller supplies power to that effect when the slots of all the information processing devices are cut off. The power supply control controller is an information processing system that notifies the control controller and instructs a plurality of information processing devices to shut down when the notification that the slots of all the information processing devices have been cut off is given.
According to the above configuration, the entire information processing system can be reliably shut down without affecting communication.
[3.6] Sixth Other Aspect The relay device of the sixth other aspect of the embodiment can connect a plurality of information processing devices via an expansion bus and a plurality of slots provided in the expansion bus. , A bridge that relays communication between the plurality of information processing devices and blocks communication in the slot to which an information processing device in an uncommunicated state is connected when a shutdown instruction is given. A controller and a power control controller that controls to cut off the power supply to the controller and the plurality of information processing devices after it is detected that the slots of all the information processing devices are cut off. It is a relay device equipped.
According to the above configuration, the bridge controller blocks communication in the slot to which the information processing device in the uncommunicated state is connected when a shutdown instruction is given.
Then, the power control controller functions as a host because it controls to cut off the power supply to the bridge controller and the plurality of information processing devices after it is detected that the slots of all the information processing devices are cut off. Even if the information processing device does not exist, the relay device can reliably execute the shutdown process.

10 Information processing system 11 Bridge board 12-1 to 12-7 Platform (information processing device)
21 Power supply unit 22 DC-DC converter 23 PCIe bridge controller 24 Power supply control microcomputer (power supply control controller)
26 Power Switch 30 Application SL1-SL7 Slots

Claims (7)

Multiple information processing devices, each with a processor,
A relay device that can connect the plurality of information processing devices via a plurality of slots provided in the expansion bus and relays communication between the plurality of information processing devices .
A power supply unit that supplies power to the plurality of information processing devices and the relay device via corresponding switching elements is provided.
The relay device includes a bridge controller that cuts off communication in a slot to which an information processing device in an uncommunicated state is connected when a shutdown instruction is given.
A power supply that controls the switching element to cut off the power supply to the bridge controller and the plurality of information processing devices after it is detected that the slots of all the information processing devices have been cut off. With the control controller
Have,
Information processing system. The power control controller controls to cut off the power supply to the plurality of information processing devices prior to the control to cut off the power supply to the bridge controller.
The information processing system according to claim 1. The relay device includes a power button for instructing power supply / cutoff.
The power control controller instructs the bridge controller to shut down when the power button instructs the power to be cut off.
The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2. When the shutdown instruction is given, the bridge controller confirms the communication status flags of each of the plurality of information processing devices, determines whether or not the communication status is in the non-communication state, and determines that the information processing device is in the non-communication status. Sequentially shut down the slots to which the processing device is connected.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. When the slots of all the information processing devices are shut off, the bridge controller notifies the power supply control controller to that effect.
The power control controller gives an instruction to shut down the plurality of information processing devices when the notification that the slots of all the information processing devices have been shut down is given.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bridge controller shuts off the slot in which the information processing device is not installed. A relay device capable of connecting a plurality of information processing devices via an expansion bus and a plurality of slots provided in the expansion bus and relaying communication between the plurality of information processing devices.
When a shutdown instruction is given, a bridge controller that blocks communication in the slot to which an information processing device in an uncommunicated state is connected, and
A power supply control controller that controls a power supply unit that supplies power to the plurality of information processing devices and the relay device via corresponding switching elements, and the slots of all the information processing devices are shut off. A power supply control controller that controls the switching element after it is detected to cut off the power supply to the bridge controller and the plurality of information processing devices.
A relay device equipped with.

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