CN101739320A - Error detection device and method for server - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a server error detection device and method, which converts a Port 80 signal into an RS232 signal through a baseboard controller and outputs the converted Port 80 signal through a serial port. Therefore, a user can directly read the Port 80 signal through an RS232 connector and can see the Port 80 error detection indicator without opening the server casing, thereby increasing the convenience of the user during maintenance and reducing the design cost of the motherboard.

Description

Error detection device and method for server

technical field

The present invention relates to an error detection device for a server, and in particular to an error detection device and method for reading a power-on detection signal.

Background technique

A computer system includes a variety of components, such as microprocessors, motherboards, memory, display cards, sound cards, fans and other cooling devices. The motherboard also includes a variety of chips, such as south bridge (south bridge, SB), north bridge (north bridge) And basic input and output system (basic input/output system, referred to as BIOS) and so on.

However, servers are different from other consumer electronic products in that due to their long development period and long maintenance and warranty period, the requirements for subsequent maintenance and warranty are also relatively high. In order to meet the above requirements, relevant error detection lines or signal connectors will be reserved on the host computer. During the boot process, the South Bridge chip (south bridge, SB) will output the boot detection signal on the main board, for example, through the low pin Quantity (Low Pin Count, LPC) interface output. Generally speaking, there are two ways to debug and detect the boot process:

1. During the original design of the main board, the decoding components and the seven-segment display that will decode the LPC signal are designed on the main board. The decoding component receives the power-on detection signal of the SB, and then decodes it into an 8-bit signal to control the seven-segment display to generate a corresponding error code (error code). But the inconvenience of this method is that when the maintenance personnel want to repair and check the error, they need to open the host computer case and remove other devices before they can observe the error code.

2. Design another connector on the main board to receive the SB boot process signal. When debugging and detecting errors, maintenance personnel connect additional signal cables to the connector and an external error detection card (debug card) to observe error codes. This approach is also quite inconvenient.

Contents of the invention

The present invention provides an error detection device and method for a server. The Port 80 signal is converted into an RS232 signal through a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) so that the user can (serial port), also known as COM Port, usually uses the RS232 standard) to read the Port 80 signal, thereby increasing the convenience of the user during maintenance and reducing the design cost of the motherboard.

Based on the above, the present invention proposes an error detection device for a server, which includes a south bridge chip, a baseboard management controller, a signal switching component, and a switching switch. Among them, the south bridge chip outputs a power-on detection signal (such as a Port 80 signal) through a Low Count Pin (LPC) interface, and the baseboard management controller is coupled to the south bridge chip to receive the power-on detection signal and send it to Convert to an RS232 signal. The base board controller has two universal asynchronous transceiver communication ports, which output the converted RS232 signal and the original RS232 signal respectively. The signal switching component is coupled between the baseboard management controller and the RS232 connector, and is used for transmitting the RS232 signal converted from the power-on detection signal or the original RS232 signal to the RS232 connector. The switching switch is coupled to the signal switching component, and is used to determine whether the signal output by the signal switching component is the RS232 signal converted from the power-on detection signal or the original RS232 signal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned power-on detection signal is a Port 80 signal, and the above-mentioned signal switching component can be a complex programmable logic component. The above switch is, for example, a button. When the button is pressed, the signal switching component outputs the RS232 signal converted from the power-on detection signal to the RS232 connector; when the button is released, the signal switching component outputs the original RS232 signal to the RS232 connector .

In an embodiment of the present invention, the error detection device further includes a display device coupled to the RS232 connector for decoding the RS232 signal converted from the power-on detection signal and displaying the decoded RS232 signal.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the display device includes: an RS232 decoder and a seven-segment display, wherein the RS232 decoder is used to decode the RS232 signal converted from the power-on detection signal, and then display it on the seven-segment display superior.

From another point of view, the present invention proposes an error detection method for a server, which includes the following steps: firstly, outputting a power-on detection signal through a low-pin-count interface, and then converting the power-on detection signal into an RS232 signal. Next, a switch signal is generated through a switch, and according to the switch signal, whether to output the RS232 signal to an RS232 connector is determined.

Based on the above, the present invention converts the Port 80 signal of the LPC interface into the signal of the RS232 interface through the BMC, so that the RS232 connector on the motherboard can output the original RS232 signal or the converted Port 80 signal according to the user's needs, and the user The display device for decoding can be used to display the light corresponding to the Port 80 signal outside the host to understand the internal working status of the device, thereby increasing the convenience for users during maintenance and reducing design costs.

In order to make the above-mentioned features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, the following specific embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an error detection device of a server according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of the error detection method of the server according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart of an error detection method for a server according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

first embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an error detection device for a server according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The error detection device 100 mainly includes two parts, and the main board 110 mainly includes a south bridge chip 112 and a base board management controller 114. (Baseboard Management Controller, BMC), signal switch component 116, RS232 connector and switch 118. The baseboard management controller 114 is coupled between the south bridge chip 112 and the signal switching component 116 , and the RS232 connector 117 and the switching switch 118 are respectively coupled to the signal switching component 116 . The display device 150 includes an RS232 decoder 152 and a seven-segment display 154 . The seven-segment display 154 is coupled to the RS232 decoder for displaying signals decoded by the RS232 decoder 152 . When the user needs to read the power-on detection signal, the display device 150 can be connected to the RS232 connector 117 on the motherboard 110 to display the error code. When it is not necessary to read the power-on detection signal, the display device 150 can be disassembled.

In the motherboard 110, the south bridge chip 112 will output a boot detection signal through the LPC interface to inform the user of the hardware working status in the current boot process of the motherboard 110, and the baseboard management controller 114 will receive the information from the south bridge chip 112 through the LPC interface. output power-on detection signal, and convert the power-on detection signal originally conforming to the LPC interface into a signal conforming to the RS232 interface (referred to as RS232 signal). The baseboard management controller 114 has two universal asynchronous transceiver communication ports (UART1, UART0), which respectively output RS232 signals RS1, RS2 to the signal switching component 116, wherein the RS232 signal RS1 is converted from an LPC signal with a power-on detection message RS232 signal, and RS232 signal RS2 is the original RS232 signal. The signal switch component 116 determines to output the RS232 signal RS1 or the RS232 signal RS2 to the RS232 connector 117 according to the state of the switch 118 . The so-called original RS232 signal refers to the RS232 signal existing in the traditional system, that is, the signal originally to be transmitted by the RS232 connector 117 .

In other words, in this embodiment, the signal switching component 116 on the main board 110 can switch between two usage states according to the needs of the user, one of which is the normal mode, that is, receiving the original RS232 signal RS2, at this time the RS232 connector 117 is connected to the traditional The operating state is normal, and the RS232 signal RS2 will be output normally; the second is the error detection mode, at this time, the signal switching component 116 will receive the converted LPC signal, and the RS232 signal RS1 will be output to the RS232 connector 117, so that the user can directly use the RS232 Connector 117 captures RS232 signal RS1 and displays it. The mode switching of the signal switching component 116 can be switched by a switch 118, and the switch 118 is, for example, a button.

Therefore, the user does not need to open the casing of the server, as long as the display device 150 is connected to the RS232 connector 117 , the light signal indicated by the power-on detection signal can be seen on the externally connected display device 150 . In addition, in this embodiment, when the switching switch 118 is a button, the button can be arranged outside the server, so that the user can switch signals through the outside of the server. When a key is pressed, the signal switching component 116 outputs the RS232 signal RS1 to the RS232 connector 117 . When the key is released, the signal switching component 116 outputs the RS232 signal RS2 to the RS232 connector. From another point of view, the state switching of the switch 118 can be regarded as a switching signal, and the signal switching component 116 switches the working mode according to the switching signal to determine whether to output the converted power-on detection signal to the RS232 connector 117 . In this embodiment, the signal switching component 116 can be realized by the reset button and the power button of the motherboard 110 , and the reset button and the power button are electrically connected with the signal switching component 116 . When the maintenance personnel decides to make the signal switching component 116 enter the error detection mode, they can press the reset button and then press the power button. However, the realization of the signal switching component 116 can be achieved by using the key cooperation of the original host, not limited to the above.

It should be noted that ready-made components can be used for all the components of the present invention, such as the south bridge chip 112 , the baseboard management controller 114 , the signal switch component 116 , the RS232 connector and the switch 118 . wait. The signal switching component can be realized by using any compilable logic component on the motherboard, and then adding the function of switching signals in its firmware.

In terms of the display device 150 , the RS232 decoder 152 can be used to decode the RS232 signal RS1 , and then display it through the seven-segment display 154 , so that the user can see the power-on detection lights built in the motherboard 110 . The display device 150 and the main board 110 can be connected via an RS232 cable. When no error detection is required, the display device 150 can be removed. In addition, it is worth noting that the function of the signal switching component 116 can be achieved by a complex programmable logic device (CPLD for short), while the baseboard management controller 114 can use firmware (firmware) to realize the LPC signal Function to convert RS232 signal.

Next, the processing flow of the above-mentioned error detection device 100 during error detection will be described in conjunction with the flow chart. Please refer to FIG. 2 , which is a flow chart of the error detection method of the server according to this embodiment. Firstly, the south bridge chip 112 transmits the power-on detection signal transmitted through the LPC to the baseboard management controller 114 (step S210 ), and then, the baseboard management controller converts the power-on detection signal into an RS232 signal (step S220 ). After the signal conversion is completed, the baseboard management controller 114 transmits the converted power-on detection signal (RS1) and the original RS232 signal RS2 to the signal switching component 116 through the UART1 and UART0 communication ports (step S230) respectively. ). Next, the signal switch component 116 determines whether to enter the error detection mode according to the state of the switch 118 (whether the key is pressed by the user).

If the switch 118 is in the error detection mode, the signal switching component 116 receives the RS232 signal RS1 output by the UART1 (step S260), and then transmits it to the RS232 connector 117 (step S262). The user can display the decoded RS232 signal via the externally connected display device 150 (step S264); if the switch 118 is in the normal mode, the signal switching component 116 will receive the RS232 signal RS1 output by the universal asynchronous transceiver communication port UART0 (ie the original RS232 signal), and then the signal switching component 116 transmits the RS232 signal RS1 to the RS232 connector 117 (step S255 ).

second embodiment

The above-mentioned operation mode in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 can be further simplified as a server error detection method, please refer to FIG. 3 , which is a flow chart of the server error detection method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. First, a power-on detection signal is output through a low pin count (LPC) interface (step S310 ), and then the power-on detection signal is converted into an RS232 signal conforming to the RS232 interface (step S320 ). Then, a switching signal is generated through the switching switch, and the switching signal is used to indicate the state of the switching switch, such as pressing a key or releasing a key (step S330 ). Then, according to the switching signal, it is determined whether to output the RS232 signal converted from the power-on detection signal to the RS232 connector (step S340 ). If yes, the user can display the decoded RS232 signal through an external display device (step S350); if not, output the original RS232 signal (step S260). For the rest of the implementation details of the error detection method, please refer to the above descriptions of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , those skilled in the art can easily deduce it after the disclosure of the present invention, and will not repeat it here.

In summary, the present invention converts the power-on detection signal of the LPC interface into a signal conforming to the RS232 interface, so that the RS232 connector on the server can output the power-on detection signal, and the user can directly receive the power-on detection signal through the RS232 connector and display the corresponding message. Users do not need to open the casing of the server to see the indicator light of the power-on detection signal and understand the error code on the motherboard, thereby increasing the convenience of maintenance and reducing the cost of research and development.

Another advantage of the present invention is that all the components of the present invention use ready-made components, such as the south bridge, the board control manager, the RS232 connector, and the switch. The signal switching component is implemented by CPLD, and CPLD is widely used in the server field and its function can be modified by using software language during the research and development process. Now only the switching function is added to it. The cost of additional components can be saved compared to the previous practice.

Although the present invention has been disclosed as above with the embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone with ordinary knowledge in the technical field can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the claims.

Claims (8)

1. the Error Detection Unit of a server comprises:

One South Bridge chip is via low pin count interface output one a start detection signal;

One baseboard management controller, be coupled to this South Bridge chip, in order to receive this start detection signal, and the detection signal of should starting shooting is converted to one the one RS232 signal, wherein this substrate controller has one first universal asynchronous receiving-transmitting PORT COM and one second universal asynchronous receiving-transmitting PORT COM, and exports a RS232 signal and one the 2nd RS232 signal via this first universal asynchronous receiving-transmitting PORT COM and this second universal asynchronous receiving-transmitting PORT COM respectively;

One signal changeover module is coupled between this baseboard management controller and the RS232 connector, in order to transmit a RS232 signal or the 2nd RS232 signal to this RS232 connector; And

One switches switch, is coupled to this signal changeover module, is a RS232 signal or the 2nd RS232 signal in order to the signal that determines this signal changeover module to be exported.

2. the Error Detection Unit of server as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this signal changeover module is a complex programmable logic assembly.

3. the Error Detection Unit of server as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, this change-over switch is a button, and when pressing this button, this signal changeover module is exported a RS232 signal to this RS232 connector; When discharging this button, this signal changeover module is exported the 2nd RS232 signal to this RS232 connector.

4. the Error Detection Unit of server as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, also comprises a display device, is coupled to this RS232 connector, in order to the RS232 signal after deciphering a RS232 signal and showing decoding.

5. the Error Detection Unit of server as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, this display device comprises:

One RS232 code translator is in order to decipher a RS232 signal; And

One seven-segment display is coupled to this RS232 code translator, in order to show the RS232 signal after deciphering.

6. the error-detecting method of a server comprises:

Via low pin count interface output one a start detection signal;

The detection signal of should starting shooting is converted to a RS232 signal; And

Switch switch via one and produce a switching signal; And

According to this switching signal, whether decision exports this RS232 signal to RS232 connector.

7. the error-detecting method of server as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that, this switch is a button, when pressing this button, exports this RS232 signal to this RS232 connector; When discharging this button, stop to export this RS232 signal to this RS232 connector.

8. the error-detecting method of server as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that, also comprises:

Receive this RS232 signal via this RS232 connector;

Decipher this RS232 signal; And

With this RS232 signal after the seven-segment display demonstration decoding.

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