Dynamic computer system reset architecture

In a computer system including an agent and a partition associated with the agent, a method comprising steps of:

• (A) receiving a first reset signal directed to the agent;
• (B) determining whether the partition is in a run state in a predetermined class of run states in which a hard reset may be performed on the agent without requiring the partition to be reset;
• (C) performing a hard reset on the agent by transmitting a second reset signal to the agent if it is determined that the partition is in a run state in the predetermined class of run states;
• and
• (D) resetting fewer than all of a plurality of components of the agent by transmitting an interrupt to the agent if it is determined that the partition is not in a run state in the predetermined class of run states.

In a computer system including a first agent and a second agent, a device comprising:

• receiving means for receiving a first reset signal directed to the first agent;
• determining means for determining whether the second agent is in a run state in a predetermined class of run states in which a hard reset may be performed on the first agent without requiring the second agent to be reset;
• hard reset means for performing a hard reset on the first agent if it is determined that the second agent is in a run state in the predetermined class of run states;
• and
• soft reset means performing a soft reset on the first agent if it is determined that the second agent is not in a run state in the predetermined class of run states.

A reset architecture for use in a computer system including a first agent and a second agent, the reset architecture comprising:

• a run state identifier coupled to the second agent and comprising an output providing a run state signal indicative of a run state of the second agent;
• a demultiplexer comprising:
• a data input coupled to at least one reset source;
• a selection input coupled to the output of the run state identifier;
• an interrupt output coupled to an interrupt input of the first agent;
• and
• a reset output coupled to a reset input of the first agent;
• wherein the first agent comprises means for performing a hard reset in response to receipt of a reset signal on the reset input and means for performing a soft reset in response to receipt of an interrupt signal on the interrupt input.

In a computer system including a partition and an agent associated with the partition, a method comprising steps of:

• (A) receiving a first reset signal directed to the agent;
• (B) in response to the first reset signal, performing a soft reset on the agent while the partition is in a first run state in a first predetermined class of run states in which a hard reset may not be performed on the agent without requiring the partition to be reset;
• and
• (C) performing a hard reset on the agent while the partition is in a second run state in a second predetermined class of run states in which a hard reset may be performed on the agent without requiring the partition to be reset.

In a computer system including a partition and an agent associated with the partition, a method comprising steps of:

• (A) receiving a first reset signal directed to the agent;
• (B) in response to the first reset signal, performing a soft reset on the agent without resetting the partition by transmitting an interrupt signal to the agent while the partition is in a first run state in a first predetermined class of run states in which a hard reset may not be performed on the agent without requiring the partition to be reset;
• (C) determining that the partition is in a second run state in a second predetermined class of run states in which a hard reset may be performed on the agent without requiring the partition to be reset;
• and
• (D) performing a hard reset on the agent by transmitting a second reset signal to the agent while the partition is in the second run state.

In a computer system including a partition and an agent associated with the partition, a device comprising:

• receiving means for receiving a first reset signal directed to the agent;
• soft reset means for performing a soft reset on the agent while the partition is in a first run state in a first predetermined class of run states in which a hard reset may not be performed on the agent without requiring the partition to be reset;
• and
• hard reset means for performing a hard reset on the agent while the partition is in a second run state in a second predetermined class of run states in which a hard reset may be performed on the agent without requiring the partition to be reset.