The inventive multiple partition computer system allows the reconfiguration of
the installed hardware, possibly while the various partitions continue normal operations.
This aspect includes adding and removing process cell boards and I/O from partitions
which may or may not continue to run. The invention also allows changes to the
association between cells, I/O and partitions. The partitions may be able to stay
running, or may have to be shut down from the resulting changes. In the invention,
multiple copies of the OS are running independently of each other, each in a partition
that has its own cell boards with processors and memory and connected I/O. This
provides isolation between different applications. Consequently, a fatal error
in one partition would not affect the other partitions. A network of micro-controllers
connected to a service processor, via a communications link, provides the service
processor with information on each of the different cells, as well as a pathway
to receive requests for configuration changes, and a pathway to command changes
in the different cells or I/O. The invention allows system control features such
as power on/off, status display, etc. for multiple cabinets under control of the
service processor.
