Abstract: A computer system comprises two or more computers including at least one standby computer and a management computer which controls the computers. The management computer manages unique identification information which is assigned to an Ethernet controller of each computer. When a failure has occurred to an active computer, the management computer sets the unique identification information which has been assigned to the Ethernet controller of the failed computer to the Ethernet controller of the standby computer and the standby computer boots up a software image for the failed computer by use of the unique identification information which has been set to its Ethernet controller by the management computer.

Abstract: A computer system comprises two or more computers including at least one standby computer and a management computer which controls the computers. The management computer manages unique identification information which is assigned to an Ethernet controller of each computer. When a failure has occurred to an active computer, the management computer sets the unique identification information which has been assigned to the Ethernet controller of the failed computer to the Ethernet controller of the standby computer and the standby computer boots up a software image for the failed computer by use of the unique identification information which has been set to its Ethernet controller by the management computer.

Abstract: In order to share a device among a plurality of hosts, a switching section is adapted to select one of the hosts by switching and connect it to the device by a serial interface. The switching section can be controlled from the particular host through at least an interface cable. When the switching section switches the host to be connected with the device, power continues to be supplied to the device. Further, a connection recognition protocol to be transmitted from the device when beginning to supply power to the device is transmitted from the switching section. In this way, a quick switching operation free of protocol contradictions is made possible without causing any hardware resetting of the device.

Abstract: In order to share a device among a plurality of hosts, a switching section is adapted to select one of the hosts by switching and connect it to the device by a serial interface. The switching section can be controlled from the particular host through at least an interface cable. When the switching section switches the host to be connected with the device, power continues to be supplied to the device. Further, a connection recognition protocol to be transmitted from the device when beginning to supply power to the device is transmitted from the switching section. In this way, a quick switching operation free of protocol contradictions is made possible without causing any hardware resetting of the device.

Abstract: In order to share a device among a plurality of hosts, a switching section is adapted to select one of the hosts by switching and connect it to the device by a serial interface. The switching section can be controlled from the particular host through at least an interface cable. When the switching section switches the host to be connected with the device, power continues to be supplied to the device. Further, a connection recognition protocol to be transmitted from the device when beginning to supply power to the device is transmitted from the switching section. In this way, a quick switching operation free of protocol contradictions is made possible without causing any hardware resetting of the device.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a plurality of processor boards arranged parallelly on the main board and the DC--DC converters for generating operation voltages for processor devices each disposed between the adjacent processor boards. Further, a metal plate with high thermal conductivity is placed in close contact with an area of each of the processor boards where devices generating a large amount of heat are mounted. Heat dissipating fins are joined to the surface of each of the metal plates so that when the processor boards are mounted on the main board, the heat dissipating fins do not contact the DC--DC converter. The heat dissipating fins and the DC--DC converters are arranged so that they are vertically disposed one over the other with respect to the main board.