Abstract: In accordance with the method and system of the present invention, a local processor utilizes registers arranged in a fault/mask/cache fashion for environmental control and sensing within a data processing system. The local processor continuously reads input data from a variety of environmental sensors in order to determine if a threshold level has been reached and a fault condition exists. Cache registers allow the local processor to store/pass detailed sensor information to system firmware within system processor(s). The local processor sets a fault bit within a fault register designed to cause an interrupt to the system level firmware if any of its bits are non-zero, indicating that a fault condition has occurred. A mask register is designed to allow the interaction of both the local processor and system processor(s) when an interrupt is being serviced and help keeps track of which interrupts are being serviced and which are yet to be serviced in the case of multiple interrupt sources.

Abstract: A method and implementing apparatus is provided which include a plurality of perceptible indicia devices which are mounted on an I/O drawer of a computer system server equipment rack. In the exemplary embodiment, the indicia devices include a light-emitting diode in combination with an alphanumeric display device. Various states of a system initialization process are indicated by different combinations of possible states of the LED and the display device such that the sequencing of a system initialization process can be traced by visual inspection of the status of the perceptible indicia devices.

Abstract: A data processing system includes a plurality of components, a power control network, processing resources, and a memory that contains initialization firmware. At system startup, the power control network initiates supply of power to the plurality of components and collects information regarding which components are supplied power. In addition, the initialization firmware initializes the plurality of components to establish a configuration. If an ambiguity in the configuration arises, the initialization firmware resolves the ambiguity utilizing the information collected by the power control network.

Abstract: A multitude of devices coupled to a processor are each given a location code, which is then displayed in proximity to each of the devices. Then, when the processor indicates an error within a particular device, the service person can easily find which device has the error by the displayed location code associated with the device.