JPH0318219B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention is a stand-alone computer system in which an intermediate device that owns the interface section of upper and lower devices in a computer system can disconnect the interface connection and diagnose the device independently. Lap-around test in diagnosis (connects the upper interface section and lower interface section, returns signals that should be sent to the lower device to the upper interface section, and checks whether the interface including the driver/receiver circuit is working properly) (testing whether the device is working or by returning the signal to be sent to the lower interface section),
This invention relates to a diagnostic method for intermediate equipment in which the number and signal level of upper/lower interface signals are different.

As shown in FIG. 3, the computer system has several input/output channels CH attached to the CPU, and several input/output devices I/0 are connected to these channels CH. For example, several DISKs, MTs, etc. are connected to the CH via the control device 1.

Figure 4 shows the above control device. In the case of standalone diagnosis (independent testing) of the control device, disconnect the cables connected to the upper/lower device of the computer system (connector 2 is connected to the upper device). Connector 3 is connected to the lower device), connect the connector 2 of the upper interface section and the connector 3 of the lower interface section with the cable 4, and return the signal going to the lower device to the connector 2 of the upper interface section. The interface circuit unit 5 including the driver/receiver circuit is operated by making it look like a higher-level signal, and tests whether the interface circuit unit 5 including the driver/receiver circuit operates normally, or the signal that should be sent to the higher-level device is returned to the lower-level interface unit. The so-called lap test
Around test will be conducted.

This wrap-around test can be performed when the number and level of upper and lower interface signals are the same, but in many recent control devices, the number and level of upper and lower interface signals are different. It's summery.

In order to perform a wrap-around test on a control device that has different numbers of upper/lower interface signals, remove the cables connected to the upper/lower equipment and connect cable 4 to connector 2 of the upper interface section as shown in Figure 5. When connecting the connectors 3 of the lower interface section and the connectors, the interface circuit section 5 including the driver/receiver circuit does not operate because, for example, a signal going to the lower order device is not input to the upper interface section due to the lack of number of connectors. I can't perform a wrap-around test.

Therefore, there is a need for a diagnostic method that can perform a wrap-around test even in such cases.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a wrap-around test for stand-alone diagnosis of a conventional intermediate device (control device).

In the figure, the control device has two upper connectors 2 and two lower connectors 3, and a higher interface section 6 and a lower interface section 7 connected to the connectors 2 and 3 and having DV/RVs 8 and 9. . There are registers 10 and 11 connected to both interface sections 6 and 7, a microprocessor 12 that bundles the registers 10 and 11, and a data transfer section 13 that transfers read/write data from lower-order devices such as disks. , the microprocessor 12 controls upper/lower interface signals.

The above control devices have the same number and level of lower interface signals, so in the case of a wrap-around test, disconnect the cables connected to the upper and lower devices as shown in Figure 4 (connector 2).
Connector 2 of the upper interface section 6 and connector 3 of the lower interface section 7 are connected with the cable 4, and the signal going to the lower device is connected to the upper interface. It is returned to the connector 2 of the section and operated by making it look like a higher level signal. At this time, it is tested whether the upper and lower interface circuit sections 6 and 7 including the driver/receiver circuits (DV/RV) operate normally. Alternatively, the signal to be sent to the higher-level device is returned to the lower-level interface section for testing.

For example, the DV/RV 8 receives an IN line signal input from the side connector 2, the upper interface unit 6 operates, and the microprocessor 12 inputs the register 1.
Handle 0. In addition, the IN line signal input from the lower connector 3 is received by the DV/RV 9, the lower interface part 7 moves, and the microprocessor 1
2 handles register 11.

DV/RV of the upper interface as above
Since the element and the DV/RV element of the lower interface are exactly the same, matching can be achieved by simply putting them back together and a wrap-around test can be performed.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The wrap-around test of the conventional intermediate device (control device) shown in FIG.
Connector 2 and connector 3 of lower interface unit 7 are connected with cable 4, and the signal going to the lower device is routed around to make it appear and operate as a higher-level signal. This is done depending on whether or not the interface circuit units 6 and 7 operate normally.

This wrap-around test can be performed when the number and level of upper and lower interface signals are the same, but in many recent control devices, the number and level of upper and lower interface signals are different. It's summery.

Number of upper/lower interface signals mentioned above,
If the control device is at a different level (see Figure 5), remove the cable 4 connected to the upper/lower device for a wrap-around test, and connect the cable 4 between the connector 2 of the upper interface section and the lower interface section. When the connectors 3 of the connectors 3 are connected to each other, signals from, for example, a lower-level device are not input to the upper-level interface section due to an insufficient number of connectors, so the interface circuit section 5 including the driver/receiver circuit does not operate.

Therefore, there is a problem in that unless the number of signals of the lower interface and the number and level of signals of the upper interface are the same, the DV/RV 8 and 9 cannot be connected, and a wrap-around test cannot be performed.

[Means for solving problems]

The above problem is caused by a register in which information corresponding to the difference between the signal lines between the upper and lower interface sections is set, and a register in which the information in the register is sent to the upper/lower interface section, or when the upper/lower interface section A logic interface that sends out information to the register, and a level conversion circuit that converts the information sent from the upper/lower interface section to a signal level, and converts the interface section from the interface section with few signal lines to the interface section with many signal lines. When sending information to the ace section, the processing section sets information corresponding to the shortage of signal lines in the register, and the logical interface sets the information in the register to match the information sent from the interface section. When sending the set information to the interface section with many signal lines, and sending information from the interface section with many signal lines to the interface section with few signal lines, the logical interface corresponds to the remainder of the signal lines. The processing section receives the information received at the interface section with fewer signal lines and the information set in the register, and transfers the information from one interface section to the other interface section with a different signal level. The problem is solved by a diagnosis method of the intermediate device, characterized in that the level conversion circuit is configured to convert the signal level to the other signal level when sending the information to the ace part.

[Effect]

That is, in a wrap-around test of an intermediate device, if the number of signals and signal levels are different, the processing section can add a register that can control upper/lower interface signals and manipulate the input/output of the register. The number of upper/lower interface signals is made equal via the logical section interface, and the upper and lower interface sections are operated to enable DV/RV connection.

Furthermore, a level conversion circuit is provided to match the levels of the upper/lower interface signals, and by returning the signals from the lower interface section to the upper interface section via the conversion circuit, the signal levels are adjusted to enable diagnosis. .

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of the invention. Note that the same reference numerals indicate the same objects throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 shows an intermediate device A in which a microprocessor 12 controls upper/lower interface signals while handling registers 10 and 11, as in the prior art. This device A has different numbers and levels of upper/lower interface signals. (The number of signal pins of the connector 2 of the upper interface and the connector 3 of the lower interface are different.) This device A cannot perform a wrap-around test simply by connecting a cable as in the past. Therefore, a new register 14 that can be handled by the microprocessor 12 is added,
By manipulating the input/output of this register 14, the number of signals is matched. Furthermore, since the levels of the upper and lower interface signals are different, a level conversion circuit 15 for level conversion and a logic interface 16 of a register to compensate for the deficiency are provided. Note that 17 and 18 are connectors that connect the level conversion circuit 15 and the lower and upper interfaces.

For example, connector 2 of the upper interface section 6
A case will be explained in which 20 IN wires, 20 OUT wires, 12 OUT wires and 12 IN wires are connected to the connector 3 of the lower interface section 7.

First, the case where information is sent from the upper interface section 6 to the lower interface section 7 will be explained. The microprocessor 12 sets in the register 10 information for 20 signal lines to be sent from the upper interface section 6. The upper interface section 6 sends out information for 20 signal lines set in the register 10 in the direction of the arrow. When that information is input to the level conversion circuit 15, the level conversion circuit 1
5 converts the signal level of the received information to the signal level of the lower interface section 7. Of the information whose signal levels have been converted, information for 12 signal lines is sent to the lower interface section 7, and the remaining signal line 8
The main information is set in the register 14 via the logic interface 16. The lower interface section 7 sends out the received information for 12 signal lines in the direction of the arrow and sets it in the register 11. and,
Microprocessor 12 performs diagnosis by checking registers and information set in registers 14.

Next, the case where information is sent from the lower interface section 7 to the upper interface section 6 will be explained. Although it is necessary to send information for 20 signal lines to the upper interface section 6, the number of signal lines for the lower interface section 7 is 12. Therefore, the microprocessor 12 sets the information for 12 of the 20 signal lines to be sent to the upper interface section 6 in the register 11, and sets the information for the remaining signal lines 8 to the register 11.
The duty information is set in the register 14. The lower interface unit 7 sends out information set in the register 11 for 12 signal lines in the direction of the arrow.
When that information is input to the level conversion circuit 15,
The level conversion circuit 15 converts the signal level of the input information to the signal level of the upper interface section 6, and sends it to the upper interface section 6. At the same time, the information for eight signal lines set in the register 14 is input to the level conversion circuit 15 via the logic interface 16, converted to the signal level of the upper interface section 6, and then transferred to the lower interface section. It is sent to the upper interface section 6 together with information for 12 signal lines sent from 7. The upper interface section 6 sends out the received information of 20 signal lines in the direction of the arrow and sets it in the register 10. The microprocessor 12 then performs diagnosis by checking the information set in the register 10.

In addition, as shown in Figure 2, a separate processor (RAS
If device B has a processor 19, excess or deficiency in the communication line can be compensated for by the processor 19 operating the register 14 while synchronizing (communicating) with the microprocessor 12.

Even if the device has different numbers and levels of upper/lower interface signals, by configuring it as described above, wrap-around testing can be performed simply by connecting a cable without connecting it to the CPU. Therefore, there is no need to connect it to the CPU, which saves testing man-hours.

In addition, register 14, logical interface 1
6. The circuit according to the present invention, including the level conversion circuit 15, can not only be installed and fixed in each intermediate device, but also kept separately and installed in a required intermediate device when necessary for diagnosis. You can also take the following method.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, an inter-logical interface is added to supply insufficient signals, and at the same time a signal level conversion circuit is added, thereby providing a device with different numbers and levels of upper/lower interface signals. The effect of making wrap-around testing possible is significant.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Figure 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a diagram explaining a computer system, Figure 4 is a diagram explaining stand-alone diagnosis of a control device, and Figure 5 is a diagram explaining devices with different numbers of signals. , FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a wrap-around test of a conventional device. In the figure, 2 is the connector of the upper interface, 3 is the connector of the lower interface, 4 is the cable, 6 is the upper interface part, 7 is the lower interface part, 8 and 9 are DV/RV, 10, 1
1 and 14 are registers, 12 is a microprocessor, 13 is a data transfer circuit, 15 is a level conversion circuit,
16 is a logical interface, 17 and 18 are connectors, and 19 is a RAS processor.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An intermediate device that has an interface section for the upper and lower devices in a computer system, and further has a data transfer section and a processing section that controls internal circuits. disconnect the connection between the upper and lower interface sections, input the information to be sent to the lower device into the upper interface section, or input the information to the lower device to the lower interface section. In the intermediate device's unique diagnosis method, which uses input data to diagnose whether or not the interface section including the driver/receiver circuit is operating normally, information corresponding to the difference between the signal lines of the upper and lower interface sections is used. a register to be set; a logical interface that sends the information of the register to the upper/lower interface section, or sends information of the upper/lower interface section to the register; and a logical interface that sends the information of the upper/lower interface section to the register; and a level conversion circuit that converts the signal level of information into a signal level of information corresponding to the lack of signal lines, and when transmitting information from an interface section with few signal lines to an interface section with many signal lines, the processing section converts the information corresponding to the lack of signal lines. is set in the register, and the logical interface sends the information set in the register to the interface part with many signal lines in accordance with the information sent out from the interface part, and the logical interface sends the information set in the register to the interface part with many signal lines. When sending information from the ace section to the interface section with few signal lines, the logical interface sets information corresponding to the remainder of the signal lines in the register, and the processing section receives the information in the interface section with few signal lines. When receiving the information set in the register and the information set in the register, and sending the information from one interface section to the other interface section with a different signal level, the level conversion circuit changes the signal level to the signal level of the other interface section. A diagnostic method for an intermediate device, characterized in that it is configured to convert.