A network of microcontrollers for monitoring and diagnosing the environmental conditions of a computer is disclosed. The network of microcontrollers provides a management system by which computer users can accurately gauge the health of their computer. The network of microcontrollers provides users the ability to detect system fan speeds, internal temperatures and voltage levels. The invention is designed to not only be resilient to faults, but also allows for the system maintenance, modification, and growth--without downtime. Additionally, the present invention allows users to replace failed components, and add new functionality, such as new network interfaces, disk interface cards and storage, without impacting existing users. One of the primary roles of the present invention is to manage the environment without outside involvement. This self-management allows the system to continue to operate even though components have failed.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application incorporates by reference in its entirety and is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/911,884, filed Jul. 23, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,342 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/942,402, filed Oct. 1, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,150 which in turn claims priority to the following provisional patent applications:
TABLE-US-00001 Application Title No. Filing Date "Remote Access and Control of 60/046,397 May 13, 1997 Environmental Management System" "Hardware and Software Architecture 60/047,016 May 13, 1997 for Inter-Connecting an Environmental Management System with a Remote Interface" "Self Management Protocol for 60/046,416 May 13, 1997 a Fly-By-Wire Service Processor" "Computer System Hardware 60/046,398 May 13, 1997 Infrastructure for Hot Plugging Single and Multi-Function PC Cards Without Embedded Bridges" "Computer System Hardware 60/046,312 May 13, 1997 Infrastructure for Hot Plugging Multi-Function PCI Cards With Embedded Bridges"
This application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,885, entitled, "METHOD FOR MANAGING A DISTRIBUTED PROCESSOR SYSTEM"; U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,758, entitled "SYSTEM FOR MAPPING ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES TO MEMORY FOR PROGRAM ACCESS"; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,173, entitled "METHOD FOR MAPPING ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES TO MEMORY FOR PROGRAM ACCESS", and each contains related subject matter and are each incorporated by reference in their entirety.
