Software Based In-System Memory Test for Highly Available Systems
Amit Prakash Singh, D. Bose, S. Darisala · 2005
In this paper we describe a software based in-system memory test that is capable of testing system memory in both offline and online environments. A technique to transparently "steal" a chunk of memory from the system for running tests and then inserting it back for normal application's use is proposed. Factors like system memory architecture that needs to be considered while adapting any conventional memory testing algorithm for in-system testing are also discussed. Implementation of the proposed techniques can significantly improve the system's ability to proactively detect and manage functional faults in memory. An extension of the methodology described is expected to be applicable for in-system testing of other system components (like processor) as well.