US5594893A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for monitoring and controlling operation of multiple processing units
Assignee: Nortel Networks Ltd
•
Filing: 1994-06-01
•
Granted: 1997-01-14
•
Expires: 2014-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A processor shelf controller monitors processor shelf status. On shutdown or reset request either initiated by a central controller or the processor shelf, the processor shelf controller provides at least a first timer that allows the operating processor shelf sufficient time to shutdown operating system processes. For graceful shutdowns, a second timer is provided to allow the operating processor shelf to clear all application related processes prior to start of the first timer.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell F. Byers
- 👤 Joseph M. G. Duchaine
- 👤 Michael L. Schuett
- 👤 Cornelius J. Grootenboer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 02:09
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/14; G06F11/1402; G06F11/1415; G06F11/1441
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A controller unit for monitoring and controlling operation of a plurality of processing units, comprising: means for determining status of the processing units which are physically separate from the controller unit and communicatively coupled thereto; means, responsive to the determined status reflecting failure of a particular processing unit, for controlling through the communicative coupling the failed unit to initiate a shutdown procedure and for initiating a timer; and means, responsive to the timer measuring a predetermined time interval, for resetting or powering off the failed unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A controller unit for monitoring and controlling operation of a plurality of processing units, comprising: means for determining status of the processing units which are physically separate from the controller unit and communicatively coupled thereto; means, responsive to the determined status reflecting failure of a particular processing unit, for controlling through the communicative coupling the failed unit to initiate a shutdown procedure and for initiating a timer; and means, responsive to the timer measuring a predetermined time interval, for resetting or powering off the failed unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A controller unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for determining status includes: means for periodically auditing through the communicative coupling the processing units for their status; means for receiving a unit status message from each processing unit which responds to being audited; and means for establishing from internal state information contained in each unit status message whether that processing unit has failed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A controller unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for determining status includes means for establishing that a processing unit has failed when it does not respond to being audited.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A controller unit as claimed in claim 3, comprising means, responsive to repeated audit failures initiating another timer; and wherein the means for resetting or powering off the failed unit is responsive either to the timer measuring the predetermined time interval or to the another timer measuring another predetermined time interval.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
141 words
A controller unit for monitoring and controlling operation of a plurality of processing units, comprising: means for determining status of the processing units which are physically separate from the controller unit and communicatively coupled thereto; means, responsive to the determined status reflecting failure of a particular processing unit, for sending a graceful shutdown message to the failed unit and for initiating a first timer whereby the failed unit is given a predetermined first time interval to clear away active processes; means, responsive to the first timer measuring the first time interval, for sending a forced shutdown message to the failed unit and initiating a second timer whereby the failed unit is given a predetermined second time interval to terminate active processes; and means, responsive to the second timer measuring the second time interval, for resetting or powering off the failed unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
141 words
A controller unit for monitoring and controlling operation of a plurality of processing units, comprising: means for determining status of the processing units which are physically separate from the controller unit and communicatively coupled thereto; means, responsive to the determined status reflecting failure of a particular processing unit, for sending a graceful shutdown message to the failed unit and for initiating a first timer whereby the failed unit is given a predetermined first time interval to clear away active processes; means, responsive to the first timer measuring the first time interval, for sending a forced shutdown message to the failed unit and initiating a second timer whereby the failed unit is given a predetermined second time interval to terminate active processes; and means, responsive to the second timer measuring the second time interval, for resetting or powering off the failed unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A controller unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the means for determining status includes: means for periodically auditing through the communicative coupling the processing units for their status; means for receiving a unit status message from each processing unit which responds to being audited; and means for establishing from internal state information contained in each unit status message whether that processing unit has failed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A controller unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means for determining status includes means for establishing that a processing unit has failed when it does not respond to being audited.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A controller unit as claimed in claim 7, comprising means, responsive to repeated audit failures subsequent to sending the forced shutdown message, for initiating a third timer; and wherein the means for resetting or powering off the failed unit is responsive either to the second timer measuring the second time interval or to the third timer measuring a predetermined third time interval.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for a controller unit to monitor and control operation of a plurality of processing units, comprising the steps of, at the controller unit: determining status of the processing units which are physically separate from the controller unit and communicatively coupled thereto; responsive to the determined status reflecting failure of a particular processing unit, controlling through the communicative coupling the failed unit to initiate a shutdown procedure and initiating a timer; and responsive to the timer measuring a predetermined time interval, resetting or powering off the failed unit.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for a controller unit to monitor and control operation of a plurality of processing units, comprising the steps of, at the controller unit: determining status of the processing units which are physically separate from the controller unit and communicatively coupled thereto; responsive to the determined status reflecting failure of a particular processing unit, controlling through the communicative coupling the failed unit to initiate a shutdown procedure and initiating a timer; and responsive to the timer measuring a predetermined time interval, resetting or powering off the failed unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the step of determining status includes: periodically auditing through the communicative coupling the processing units for their status; receiving a unit status message from each processing unit which responds to being audited; and establishing from internal state information contained in each unit status message whether that processing unit has failed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the step of determining status includes establishing that a processing unit has failed when it does not respond to being audited.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, comprising, responsive to repeated audit failures subsequent to initiation of the shutdown procedure, initiating another timer; and wherein resetting or powering off the failed unit is responsive either to the timer measuring the predetermined time interval or to the another timer measuring another predetermined interval.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for a controller unit to monitor and control operation of a plurality of processing units, comprising the steps of, at the controller unit: determining status of the processing units which are physically separate from the controller unit and communicatively coupled thereto; responsive to the determined status reflecting failure of a particular processing unit, sending a graceful shutdown message to the failed unit and initiating a first timer whereby the failed unit is given a predetermined first time interval to clear the away active processes; responsive to the first timer measuring the first time interval, sending a forced shutdown message to the failed unit and initiating a second timer whereby the failed unit is given a predetermined second time interval to terminate active processes; and responsive to the second timer measuring the second time interval, resetting or powering off the failed unit.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for a controller unit to monitor and control operation of a plurality of processing units, comprising the steps of, at the controller unit: determining status of the processing units which are physically separate from the controller unit and communicatively coupled thereto; responsive to the determined status reflecting failure of a particular processing unit, sending a graceful shutdown message to the failed unit and initiating a first timer whereby the failed unit is given a predetermined first time interval to clear the away active processes; responsive to the first timer measuring the first time interval, sending a forced shutdown message to the failed unit and initiating a second timer whereby the failed unit is given a predetermined second time interval to terminate active processes; and responsive to the second timer measuring the second time interval, resetting or powering off the failed unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step of determining status includes: periodically auditing through the communicative coupling the processing units for their status; receiving a unit status message from each processing unit which responds to being audited; and establishing from internal state information contained in each unit status message whether that processing unit has failed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of determining status includes establishing that a processing unit has failed when it does not respond to being audited.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as claimed in claim 15, comprising, responsive to repeated audit failures subsequent to sending the forced shutdown message, initiating a third timer; and wherein resetting or powering off the failed unit is responsive either to the second timer measuring the second time interval or to the third timer measuring a predetermined third time interval.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |