Computer system with multiple backup management processors for handling embedded processor failure

A method for multiple redundancy backup management of basic system functions in a computer system, the method comprising the steps of:

• monitoring, via a plurality of management processors, a plurality of sensors for detecting power, temperature, and cooling fan speed in the computer system;
• generating a plurality of processor status signals, each signal indicating an operational state of an associated one of said management processors;
• monitoring said plurality of processor status signals;
• and
• generating, in response to detecting that all of said processor status signals are inactive, backup control signals, in response to outputs from said sensors, to control operation of said controllers;
• wherein said backup control signals are generated by a non-software coded state machine, operably coupled to said management processor, said sensors, and said controllers.

A backup management system for providing basic system control functions in a computer system comprising:

• a plurality of system sensors for detecting signals from at least two devices in the group of devices consisting of a power module for monitoring the state of an associated power supply in the computer system, a temperature sensor for monitoring temperature in the computer system, and a cooling fan speed module for detecting and controlling system cooling fan speed;
• a plurality of management processors, wherein each of the processors is coupled to each of said sensors;
• wherein a management processor status signal is generated by each of said management processors to indicate an operational state thereof;
• a non-software coded state machine, operably coupled to each of said management processors and to said system sensors, wherein said state machine performs a different sequence of operations than the code executed by said management processors;
• wherein, in response to detecting that each said status signal is inactive, said state machine generates control signals to said power controllers and to said fan module in response to outputs from said system sensors to control the operation thereof.