Multiprocessor information processing system having fault detection function based on periodic supervision of updated fault supervising codes

摘要

A multiprocessor information processing system has an additional function to detect a fault occurring in a processor. A counter is provided for each of a plurality of processors for holding an associated fault supervising code. The code stored in the associated counter is periodically updated by the associated processor while the update status of the code is supervised on a cycle longer than the cycle of the updating period. If a fault occurs in one of the processors, the fault supervising code corresponding to that processor will not be updated. Thus, the faulty processor can be detected by periodically supervising the update status of the fault supervising code. The supervising operation can be carried out by software or hardware.