US5535326A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for logical console verification and feedback
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1995-06-06
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Granted: 1996-07-09
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Expires: 2015-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for logical console verification and fallback. Conformity of physical equipment configurations with the logical console control and fallback plan is verified by sending messages through the backup paths and testing message response. The method of resource server or logical console fallback to a backup resource server or logical console includes the steps of verifying operational status of each physical component defined by the logical configuration description to assure availability. Tests can be manually or automatically generated. If all tests are completed successfully, resource server or console fallback is initiated.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael E. Baskey
- 👤 Colette A. Mastrangelo
- 👤 Paul M. Mayer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/20; G06F11/202; G06F11/2023; G06F11/2025; G06F11/2033; G06F11/22; G06F11/2294; G06F11/2002; G06F11/2007; G06F11/30; G06F11/32; G06F11/324; G06F11/327; G06F11/328
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
In an information handling system in which a resource is coupled to a primary logical console via a primary control path and to a fallback logical console via a fallback control path, said resource being normally controlled by said primary logical console via said primary control path but being switchable to said fallback control path for control by said fallback logical console, said fallback logical console being accessible to said resource via said fallback control path independently of whether said resource is being controlled by said fallback logical console, a method of handling the switching of said resource from said primary control path to said fallback control path, comprising the steps of: prior to switching said resource to said fallback control path, transmitting a verification message from said resource to said fallback logical console via said fallback control path; determining whether said verification message has been received by said fallback logical console; switching said resource to said fallback control path in response to a determination that said verification message has been received by said fallback logical console; and terminating fallback processing without switching said resource to said fallback control path in response to a determination that said verification message has not been received by said fallback logical console.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
In an information handling system in which a resource is coupled to a primary logical console via a primary control path and to a fallback logical console via a fallback control path, said resource being normally controlled by said primary logical console via said primary control path but being switchable to said fallback control path for control by said fallback logical console, said fallback logical console being accessible to said resource via said fallback control path independently of whether said resource is being controlled by said fallback logical console, a method of handling the switching of said resource from said primary control path to said fallback control path, comprising the steps of: prior to switching said resource to said fallback control path, transmitting a verification message from said resource to said fallback logical console via said fallback control path; determining whether said verification message has been received by said fallback logical console; switching said resource to said fallback control path in response to a determination that said verification message has been received by said fallback logical console; and terminating fallback processing without switching said resource to said fallback control path in response to a determination that said verification message has not been received by said fallback logical console.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of: transmitting a verification request from said primary logical console to said resource, said resource transmitting said verification message to said fallback logical console in response to the transmission of said request from said primary logical console.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said primary control path includes a primary resource controller interconnecting said resource and said primary logical console and wherein said fallback control path includes a fallback resource controller interconnecting said resource and said fallback logical console.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said resource controllers and said logical consoles are interconnected by a network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4, comprising the further step of: maintaining fallback configuration data specifying said fallback control path using a configuration controller coupled to said network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said verification message is transmitted from said resource to said fallback logical console via said fallback resource controller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 6, comprising the further step of: transmitting a request from said fallback resource controller to said configuration controller for the location of said fallback logical console in said network in response to the transmission of said verification message from said resource.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said terminating step comprises the step of generating an error message.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of switching said resource to said fallback control path is performed by a human operator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of switching said resource to said fallback control path is performed automatically.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of switching said resource to said fallback control path comprises the step of transmitting a fallback command to said resource via said primary control path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
219 words
In an information handling system in which a resource is coupled to a primary logical console via a primary control path and to a fallback logical console via a fallback control path, said resource being normally controlled by said primary logical console via said primary control path but being switchable to said fallback control path for control by said fallback logical console, said fallback logical console being accessible to said resource via said fallback control path independently of whether said resource is being controlled by said fallback logical console, apparatus for handling the switching of said resource from said primary control path to said fallback control path, comprising: means operable prior to switching said resource to said fallback control path for transmitting a verification message from said resource to said fallback logical console via said fallback control path; means for determining whether said verification message has been received by said fallback logical console; means responsive to a determination by said determining means that said verification message has been received by said fallback logical console for switching said resource to said fallback control path; and means responsive to a determination by said determining means that said verification message has not been received by said fallback logical console for terminating fallback processing without switching said resource to said fallback control path.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
219 words
In an information handling system in which a resource is coupled to a primary logical console via a primary control path and to a fallback logical console via a fallback control path, said resource being normally controlled by said primary logical console via said primary control path but being switchable to said fallback control path for control by said fallback logical console, said fallback logical console being accessible to said resource via said fallback control path independently of whether said resource is being controlled by said fallback logical console, apparatus for handling the switching of said resource from said primary control path to said fallback control path, comprising: means operable prior to switching said resource to said fallback control path for transmitting a verification message from said resource to said fallback logical console via said fallback control path; means for determining whether said verification message has been received by said fallback logical console; means responsive to a determination by said determining means that said verification message has been received by said fallback logical console for switching said resource to said fallback control path; and means responsive to a determination by said determining means that said verification message has not been received by said fallback logical console for terminating fallback processing without switching said resource to said fallback control path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: means for transmitting a verification request from said primary logical console to said resource, said means for transmitting said verification message to said fallback logical console transmitting said message to said fallback logical console in response to the transmission of said request from said primary logical console.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said primary control path includes a primary resource controller interconnecting said resource and said primary logical console and wherein said fallback control path includes a fallback resource controller interconnecting said resource and said fallback logical console.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a network interconnecting said resource controllers and said logical consoles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a configuration controller coupled to said network for maintaining fallback configuration data specifying said fallback control path.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said verification message is transmitted from said resource to said fallback logical console via said fallback resource controller.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said fallback resource server has a defined location in said network, said apparatus further comprising: means responsive to the transmission of said verification message from said resource for transmitting a request from said fallback resource controller to said configuration controller for the location of said fallback logical console in said network.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said terminating means comprises means for generating an error message.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said means for switching said resource to said fallback control path comprises means for transmitting a fallback command to said resource via said primary control path.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-09 | 2000-01-08 | 2000-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-09 | 2004-01-08 | 2004-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-09 | 2008-01-08 | 2008-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |