Computer system interface adapter capable of automatic self-configuration and self-diagnosis before operating system initiation

Claim 1

An interface adapter for installation onto a system expansion bus of a computer system, said interface adapter being accessible by a central processing unit (CPU) of said computer system via said system expansion bus for implementing a self-configuration procedure for incorporation of said interface adapter into said computer system before said computer system initiates an operating system, said interface adapter comprising: memory means coupled to said system expansion bus for storing a control program portion, said control program portion including an automatic self-configuration program module accessible by said CPU via said system expansion bus for implementing said self-configuration procedure before said computer systems initiates the operating system; input/output register means coupled to said system expansion bus for setting up an input/output address range and interrupt channel assignments under control of said CPU via said system expansion bus when said CPU is executing said automatic self-configuration procedure, said register means comparing on said adapter board input/output address ranges of the interface adapter with input/output address ranges of any other interface adapters resident on said expansion bus to determine the existence of address range conflicts, and upon determination of an address range conflict, assigning an alternative input/output address range to said adapter board; and detection means coupled to said system expansion bus for detecting utilization status of interrupt channels available in said computer system when said CPU is executing said automatic self-configuration procedure, said detection means comparing on said adapter board an interrupt channel of the adapter with an interrupt channel of any other interface adapters resident on said expansion bus to determine the existence of an interrupt channel conflict and upon determination of said interrupt channel conflict assigning an alternative interrupt channel to said adapter board.

Claim 12

A method of self-configuration for an interface adapter for installation onto a system expansion bus of a computer system, said interface adapter being accessible by a central processing unit (CPU) of said computer system via said system expansion bus for implementing a self-configuration procedure for incorporation of said interface adapter into said computer system before said computer system initiates an operating system, said method comprising the steps of: initiating said computer system by applying power to said computer system; performing a search in a memory means in said interface adapter for the existence of an extended basic input/output system (BIOS) code containing a control program portion, said control program portion including a self-configuration program routine accessible by said CPU via said expansion bus; implementing said self-configuration program routine before said computer system initiates the operating system by setting up an input/output address range and interrupt channel assignments under control of said CPU via said expansion bus when said CPU is executing said self-configuration program routine, and detecting utilization status of the interrupt channels available in said computer system when said CPU is executing said self-configuration program routine, wherein on said board input/output address ranges and interrupt channels of the interface adapter are compared in a comparison, respectively, to input/output address ranges and interrupt channels of any other interface adapters resident on said expansion bus to determine the existence of address range conflicts and interrupt channel conflicts, and wherein said input/output address range and said interrupt channel are respectively assigned by said board based on said comparison as a unique input/output address range and interrupt channel in said computer system.

Claim 13

A method of self-configuration for an interface adapter for installation onto a system expansion bus of a computer system, said interface adapter being accessible by a central processing unit (CPU) of said computer system via said system expansion bus for implementing a self-configuration procedure for incorporation of said interface adapter into said computer system before said computer system initiates an operating system, said method comprising the steps of: initiating said computer system by applying power to said computer system; performing a search in a memory means in said interface adapter for the existence of an extended basic input/output system (BIOS) code containing a control program portion, said control program portion including a self-configuration program routine accessible by said CPU via said expansion bus; implementing said self-configuration program routine before said computer system initiates the operating system by setting up an input/output address range and interrupt channel assignments under control of said CPU via said expansion bus when said CPU is executing said self-configuration program routine, and detecting utilization status of the interrupt channels available in said computer system when said CPU is executing said self-configuration program routine, wherein on said board input/output address ranges and interrupt channels of the interface adapter are compared in a comparison, respectively, to input/output address ranges and interrupt channels of any other interface adapters resident on said expansion bus to determine the existence of address range conflicts and interrupt channel conflicts, and wherein said input/output address range and said interrupt channel are respectively assigned by said board based on said comparison as a unique input/output address range and interrupt channel in said computer system.