CN100385408C - Backup control system and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a standby control and management system and a method thereof, which consists of more than two system control and management modules and a power supply unit. The system control and management module will automatically detect the operation states of each other according to the judgment logic set by the standby control and management method, and automatically switch the operation states when one of the operation states fails, so that the control and management program can be continuously performed, and the power supply unit is prompted to dynamically provide power according to the load of the standby control and management system. Therefore, each system control module can automatically and immediately replace the control program of other system control modules, so that the electronic device can keep running, and the waste of power supply can be reduced.

Description

Backup control system and method thereof

technical field

The invention relates to a backup system and its method, in particular to a backup system and its method which are applied to a blade server and can automatically perform a backup program and dynamically supply power according to the system status.

Background technique

The advent of the E generation has created many business opportunities, but it has also brought many problems. Providing non-stop (Non-Stop) services is a very important key. The so-called business opportunities are no longer limited by time like the traditional ones. , so 24-hour service is already a trend.

With the expansion of the scale of the enterprise, when important computer data is damaged, it is impossible to obtain due compensation like tangible assets. Therefore, only when enterprises can quickly grasp data and store it securely can they grasp business opportunities. At present, the solutions to meet the requirements of uninterrupted and backup in the market include cluster server, remote backup, dual-host system, and the use of backup control and management systems. No small expense.

Please refer to FIG. 1 which shows a schematic structural diagram of a first application example of a common standby control and management system. The backup control system in the first application example is composed of a system control module 10 , a connection backplane 20 , an electronic device 25 , a power supply unit 15 and a display device 30 .

Please refer to the operation mode of the first application shown in the accompanying drawings. When the system control module 10 is connected to the electronic device 25, the power supply unit 15 and the display device 30 through the connection backplane 20, it is used to control several devices in the electronic device 25. operation of the motherboard (not shown).

When the system control module 10 fails and suspends the service, it will display error status information through the display device 30. At this time, the electronic device 25 will stop all operations until the operation and management personnel confirm the cause of the failure through the display device 30. Manual repair, and the time spent in the middle will cost the enterprise valuable competitive time and data.

In order to solve the above problems, a backup control and management system using two system control and management modules has been proposed, and this structure will be described below with a second application example. Please refer to FIG. 2 for a schematic structural diagram of a second application example. In the second application example, the composition of the backup control system includes a main control system control module 35 , a backup system control module 40 , a power supply unit 45 , a connection backplane 50 and an electronic device 55 .

The operation mode of the backup control management of the second application example will be described as follows. When the main control system control module 35 and the backup system control module 40 are connected to each other through the connection backplane 50, the electronic device 55 and the power supply unit 45, in order to control The operation of several main boards (not shown in the figure) in the electronic device 55 is managed. Wherein, when the main control system control module 35 fails, the backup system control module 40 can manually or automatically take over the control work of the main control system control module 35 on the electronic device 55 . But the main control system control module 35 and the backup system control module 40 of this kind of standby control system usually must be inserted in a fixed position, and the main control system control module 35 must be inserted first before the entire standby control system can be used. It is very inconvenient to operate.

In the power supply unit 45, there are two power supply devices which are divided into a first power supply device and a second power supply device, and the design of the first power supply device and the second power supply device all needs to meet the requirement that the backup control system has a maximum The power required by the load, so that when the first power supply device fails, the second power supply device can be used to continue to provide power. However, this design method will cause waste of resources and poor heat dissipation.

For example, a power supply device capable of providing power required by a larger load usually has higher power and is more expensive. But because the motherboard of the electronic device 55 in the standby control and management system is replaceable, the standby control and management system does not necessarily have the maximum load, so the design of the power supply device for providing larger power does not usually need to use. In addition, power supply devices with higher power usually generate more heat sources, and the problem of heat dissipation in electronic devices has always been one of the key points to be solved.

In addition, the main control system control module 35, the backup system control module 40 and each power supply unit in the power supply unit 45 are connected through the connection backplane 50, so the design of the connection line on the connection backplane 50 is relatively complicated. Conditions that cause signal interference.

As mentioned above, the loss caused by the failure of the backup control system cannot be quantified at present, so how to design a backup control system that can automatically and independently execute the backup program, and improve the design waste of the power supply unit As well as the generation of unnecessary heat sources, it is actually the goal of the relevant designers.

Contents of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above problems, to propose a backup control system and its method, to provide more than two system control modules with automatic switching operation mode, and to provide a power supply status that can be adjusted according to the load of the backup control system The power supply unit, so that the backup control system can maintain the normal operation and improve the problem of heat source.

Therefore, in order to achieve the above purpose, the backup control system proposed by the present invention includes the following modules: at least two system control modules and a power supply unit. Each system control module is composed of a standby arbitration unit and a baseboard control unit, the standby arbitration unit is used to set the operating status of the system control module it belongs to, and the baseboard control unit is used to transmit The control signal of the system control module in the main control mode is used to control the operation of each motherboard in the electronic device. The power supply unit can flexibly switch the power supply state according to the control of the system control module to supply the power required by the backup control system.

In addition, the present invention provides a backup control method for judging logic of two system control and management modules automatically switching operation modes, including the following steps: one system control and management module confirms the other system confirmation signal according to a system confirmation signal generated after the electronic device completes the boot procedure Whether the main control signal of the system control module is generated; when it is confirmed that another system control module does not generate the main control signal, set the operating state of the system control module to the main control mode, and continuously generate a main control Signal. Conversely, when it is confirmed that another system control module generates a main control signal, the operating state of this system control module is set to standby mode and a standby signal is generated; wherein the system control module set to standby mode The module will continue to confirm the generation state of the main control signal of another system control module, and when the main control signal is not generated, convert the operating state of the system control module set to standby mode into the main control mode and The main control signal is generated, and the system control module converted into the main control mode generates a control signal according to the load condition to control the power supply device to generate the required power.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the structural representation of the first embodiment of the common backup control and management system;

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a second embodiment of a common standby control and management system;

Fig. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart of the query operation method of the present invention.

Explanation of reference signs

10-System Control Module

15, 45-power supply unit

20, 50-connect the backplane

25, 55-Electronic device

30-display device

35-Master control system control module

40-Standby system control module

45-Power supply unit

100-backup control system

110, 110'-system control module

112, 112'-standby arbitration unit

113, 113'-substrate control unit

120-power supply unit

200, 200’-system control module

210, 210'-system control module

212, 212' - central processing logic

214, 214' - programmable logic

220, 220'-substrate control unit

300-connect the backplane

350-Electronic device

Detailed ways

In order to have a further understanding of the purpose, features and functions of the present invention, the accompanying drawings are described as follows:

The standby control system proposed by the present invention can be used in conjunction with a management controller (management controller) in an electronic device with several main boards (such as a blade server) to control the operating status of the internal main board of the electronic device . First, please refer to the structural diagram of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 , the main system function modules of the standby control and management system 100 include: (A) at least two system control and management modules 110 and 110 ′; (B) power supply units and 120 , respectively The details are as follows:

(A) Each of the system control and management modules 110 and 110' has a standby arbitration unit 112 or 112' and a baseboard management controller (BMC) 113 or 113'. The standby arbitration units 112 and 112' are mainly used to set the operating status of the system control modules 110 and 110'; the substrate control units 113 and 113' are used to transmit the control signals generated by the system control modules 110 and 110' to the electronic device (not shown in the figure) to control the operation status of each motherboard in the electronic device and receive status signals generated by each motherboard.

Any one of the system control modules 110 and 110' can independently control the motherboard in the electronic device. According to the setting of the operating state of the system control modules 110 and 110' as active mode or ready mode, it is determined that the module executing the control program is the system control module 110 or 110'.

The setting of the operating state is based on the order in which the system control modules 110 and 110' are coupled to the electronic device or an internal algorithm to automatically set the main control mode or the standby mode. Wherein, the system control and management module 110 or 110' with the main control mode has the ability to perform control programs, and can control and manage the operation status of each motherboard in the electronic device.

For example, when the system control module 110 set as the main control mode fails, the standby control system 100 will immediately execute an operation state conversion program, which will make the system originally set as the standby mode The control and management module 110' automatically switches to the main control mode, and the system control module 110 originally set to the main control mode will automatically reset (reset) after a fault occurs, and the operating state will be converted to the standby mode. The system control and management module 110' converted into the main control mode will take over from the original system control and management module 110 in the main control mode to carry out the control procedures, so as to keep the electronic devices in normal operation.

(B) The power supply unit 120 is composed of more than two power supply devices and switches, and each power supply device is connected to the system control module 110 and 110' through the switch, so that the system control module 110 or 110' Control to switch its power supply status.

The system control module 110 or 110' with master control mode will generate a relative control signal according to the load status in the backup management system 100, and send it to the switch to dynamically control the operation of each power supply device , to generate the required power.

In practical applications, the setting of the power supply unit 120 needs to satisfy the power that the power supply device has can provide, which should not be less than the power required by the backup management system 100 at the maximum load. The power supply device can also be installed in the electronic device in the form of a motherboard, or independently installed in the backup management system 100 .

Wherein, there is no special limitation on the interconnection mode between the standby arbitration unit 112 and the standby arbitration unit 112', and the interconnection between the system control modules 110 and 110' and each motherboard system in the electronic device, only the standby arbitration unit 112 and 112' It can detect whether the operating status of each other is normal, and the substrate control units 113 and 113' in the system control modules 110 and 110' can receive status signals sent by each motherboard, or transmit control signals to each motherboard In order to carry out the control procedure.

A preferred embodiment of the connection mode will be proposed below to illustrate the signal sending and receiving mode of the backup management system 100 . The preferred embodiment interconnects them through a connecting backplane. The following will use the connection diagram of the system control and management module shown in FIG. 4 to illustrate the connection of the standby arbitration units 210 and 210' through the connection backplane 300; The connection status of each motherboard (not shown in the figure) inside.

The system control modules 200 and 200' each have a standby arbitration unit 210 and 210' and a substrate control unit 220 and 220', and the standby arbitration units 210 and 210' have a central processing logic 212 and 212' and a programmable logic 214 and 214'.

First, the connection status will be explained. The central processing logics 212 and 212' in the system control modules 200 and 200' are respectively connected to the programmable logics 214 and 214', and the programmable logics 214 and the programmable logics 214' are connected to the backplane 300 A plurality of detection signal lines 250 are connected to each other, and they are further connected to the substrate control units 220 and 220 ′. The substrate control and management units 220 and 220' are connected to each motherboard in the electronic device 350 through the connection backplane 300. The status signal (active signal or ready signal) transmitted by the detection signal line 250 enables the system control modules 200 and 200' to detect each other's operating status.

When the operating state in the system control module 200 or 200 is the main control mode (active mode), it can transmit a main control signal (active signal) to the connected device through the detection signal line 250 of the programmable logic 214 or 214' The substrate control unit 220 or 220 ′ and another system control module 200 or 200 . Conversely, when the operating state is the ready mode, a ready signal can also be sent to the substrate control unit 220 or 220' and another system control module 200 or 200'.

Next, the method for setting the operating state by using the system control module 200 according to the connection state will be described. When the central processing logic 212 will send a system confirmation signal (system ready signal) to the programmable logic 214 after confirming that the power on (power on) initial setting (initialization) is completed, the programmable logic 214 will pass through after receiving the system confirmation signal The detection signal line 250 confirms that the other programmable logic 214 ′ has not sent the master control signal, that is, the system control module 200 is set to the master control mode, and continuously transmits a master control signal through the detection signal line 250 .

On the contrary, when another programmable logic 214' is confirmed to send the master control signal, it will automatically set to the standby mode and continue to transmit a standby signal. In addition, when the programmable logic 214 and 214' send master control signals at the same time, the standby control management system 100 will automatically set one of them as the master control mode.

In addition, when the system control module 200 fails, its corresponding programmable logic 214 cannot continue to send the main control signal through the detection signal line 250. At this time, another programmable logic 214' will stop sending the main control signal. Automatically change to the master control mode according to the operating state transition procedure.

As mentioned above, when the substrate control unit 220 or 220' confirms that the status signal transmitted by the connected programmable logic 214 or 214' is the main control signal, it will connect the backplane 300 to each motherboard in the electronic device 350. Execute control procedures.

In actual application, the electronic device can be a server, a blade server, a power supply device (such as a power supply and an uninterruptible power supply system), a cooling device, and a data storage device. The programmable logic "and" can be complex programmable logic device (CPLD) or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Therefore, the present invention mainly achieves the effect of automatic backup through two control modules that can be automatically set as the main control or standby mode according to the plugging sequence or internal algorithm to replace the control program in time; A single switch is connected to the system control module, so the design problems (such as signal interference and insufficient space) of connecting the backplane caused by too many connecting wires will be improved, and the power supply unit will supply power in a dynamic way to improve the heat generation. question.

The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not used to limit the implementation scope of the present invention; all equivalent changes and modifications made according to the present invention are covered by the patent scope of the present invention.

Claims (6)

1. a backup control tube system applies to have on the electronic installation of a plurality of motherboards, and the operating state in order to these a plurality of motherboards of keyholed back plate is characterized in that, this backup control tube system comprises: plural system control module, a power-supply unit;

This each system's control module comprises:

One standby arbitration unit, a mode of operation of system's control module is master mode/standby mode under it in order to set; And

One substrate keyholed back plate unit is that the more than one keyholed back plate signal of system's control module of master mode is to these a plurality of motherboards, with the running of these a plurality of motherboards of keyholed back plate in order to transmit this mode of operation;

This power-supply unit has plural power supply device, and this plural power supply device switches power supply situation according to this keyholed back plate signal, to provide this backup control tube system running required electric power;

Wherein, only there is system's control module can be set at master mode, and when this mode of operation be this system's control module of master mode break down situation the time, this mode of operation is that this system's control module of standby mode is with being about to the running that its mode of operation is converted into master mode and continues these a plurality of motherboards of keyholed back plate.

2. backup control tube system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this each system's control module, this power-supply unit are connected backboard with these a plurality of motherboards by one and interconnect with receiving and transmitting signal.

3. backup control tube system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this substrate keyholed back plate unit is also in order to receive the status signal of these a plurality of motherboards.

4. backup control tube system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this each system's control module is according to the sequencing or the internal algorithm that are coupled to this electronic installation, and the mode of operation of this each system's control module is automatically made master mode/standby mode.

5. backup control tube system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, respectively this power supply device switches its power supply state by a control of switching switch.

6. a backup control tube method according to finishing a system validation signal that is produced after the boot program, is set a mode of operation of two system's control modules, it is characterized in that this method comprises:

One system's control module is confirmed the generation state of a main signal of another system's control module according to this system validation signal;

When confirming that another system's control module does not produce this main signal, this mode of operation of setting this system control module is a master mode, and produces this main signal;

When confirming that another system's control module produces this main signal, this mode of operation of setting this system control module is a standby mode;

The system's control module that wherein is set at standby mode will continue to confirm the generation state of this main signal of another system's control module, and when this main signal does not produce, this mode of operation that conversion is set at system's control module of standby mode becomes this master mode and produces this main signal, the system's control module that is converted to master mode produces a keyholed back plate signal according to load state, produces required power supply with the control power supply device.

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