System board with consolidated EEPROM module

A system board for a computer, wherein the system board comprises:

• a system bus configured to couple to a processor;
• a plurality of system components coupled to the system bus, wherein upon being initialized, each of the plurality of system components is configured to access an EEPROM to retrieve configuration information;
• and
• a shared EEPROM module coupled to each of the plurality of system components and which stores configuration information for each of the plurality of system components;
• and
• wherein the shared EEPROM module comprises:
• an EEPROM array configured to store configuration information for each of the plurality of system components;
• and
• a controller coupled to each of the plurality of system components and further coupled to the EEPROM array, wherein the controller is configured to receive an information request from one of the plurality of system components, and wherein the controller is configured to retrieve configuration information from the EEPROM array and to provide the configuration information to said one of the plurality of system components in response to the information request.

A computer system comprising;

• a processor for executing program instructions;
• a memory device for storing data and program instructions;
• at least two system components for carrying out specialized functions;
• a bridge logic device coupled to the processor, the memory, and the system components and configurable to transfer information between the processor and the memory device, between the processor and the system components, and between the memory and the system components;
• and
• a shared non-volatile memory module for storing configuration information for each of the system components, wherein each of the system components is coupled to the shared non-volatile memory module to retrieve configuration information during initialization of the system components, wherein said shared non-volatile memory module resolves access conflicts in accordance with a system component priority.

A computer system comprising:

• a processor for executing program instructions;
• a memory device for storing data and program instructions;
• at least two system components for carrying out specialized functions;
• a bridge logic device coupled to the processor, the memory, and the system components and configurable to transfer information between the processor and the memory device, between the processor and the system components, and between the memory and the system components;
• and
• a shared non-volatile memory module for storing configuration information for each of the system components, wherein each of the system components is coupled to the shared non-volatile memory module to retrieve configuration information during initialization of the system components;
• wherein the shared non-volatile memory module comprises:
• an non-volatile memory array configured to store configuration information for each of the plurality of system components;
• and
• a controller coupled to each of the plurality of system components and further coupled to the non-volatile memory array, wherein the controller is configured to receive an information request from one of the plurality of system components, and wherein the controller is configured to retrieve configuration information from the non-volatile memory array and to provide the configuration information to said one of the plurality of system components in response to the information request.

A method for initializing a computer system, wherein the method comprises:

• storing configuration information for a plurality of system devices in a shared non-volatile memory module;
• asserting and releasing a reset signal coupled to a processor and a plurality of system components, wherein when the reset signal is released, the system components are configured to initiate information requests to the shared non-volatile memory module for configuration information;
• and
• servicing the information requests from the shared non-volatile memory module;
• wherein the servicing includes:
• receiving the information requests;
• determining an order for servicing concurrent information requests;
• retrieving configuration information from a non-volatile memory array in response to a highest-priority request from one of the plurality of system components;
• and
• providing the configuration information to said one of the plurality of system components.