US5740357A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Generic fault management of a computer system
Assignee: Google LLC
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Filing: 1994-10-26
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Granted: 1998-04-14
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Expires: 2014-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A method of managing faults in a computer system including the steps of detecting an error, handling the error along a functional hierarchy and, further, handling a fault that caused the error in a management hierarchy which can be operated separately from the functional hierarchy.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey L. Gardiner
- 👤 Gerhard K. Heider
- 👤 Larry W. Emlich
- 👤 Bruce H. Luhrs
- 👤 Michael C. Li
- 👤 Michael R. Masters
- 👤 Russell Lloyd Myers
- 👤 Harlo A. Peterson
- 👤 Frank M. Robbins
- 👤 Mark J. Seger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/0703; G06F11/0706; G06F11/0709; G06F11/0793
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of managing faults in a plurality of entities of a computer system, comprising the steps of: providing a functional hierarchy for performing error detection and error handling, said functional hierarchy including a plurality of levels wherein higher level entities are clients for services of lower level entities; providing a management hierarchy for performing fault handling, said management hierarchy including a plurality of levels wherein higher level entities manage lower level entities; operating said functional hierarchy to detect and handle each error occurring during operation of the computer system, including forwarding information regarding each error to said management hierarchy; operating said management hierarchy separately from said functional hierarchy to handle a fault that caused said error including the step of refining, at said management hierarchy, said information received from said functional hierarchy to isolate said fault; and controlling communication between entities on one hierarchical level and entities on a higher hierarchical level or between entities on one hierarchical level and entities on a lower hierarchical level by decentralized control means located within each of said entities.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of managing faults in a plurality of entities of a computer system, comprising the steps of: providing a functional hierarchy for performing error detection and error handling, said functional hierarchy including a plurality of levels wherein higher level entities are clients for services of lower level entities; providing a management hierarchy for performing fault handling, said management hierarchy including a plurality of levels wherein higher level entities manage lower level entities; operating said functional hierarchy to detect and handle each error occurring during operation of the computer system, including forwarding information regarding each error to said management hierarchy; operating said management hierarchy separately from said functional hierarchy to handle a fault that caused said error including the step of refining, at said management hierarchy, said information received from said functional hierarchy to isolate said fault; and controlling communication between entities on one hierarchical level and entities on a higher hierarchical level or between entities on one hierarchical level and entities on a lower hierarchical level by decentralized control means located within each of said entities.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of operating said functional hierarchy includes the step of reporting detection of said error to a fault handler that performs said fault handling.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the step of operating said functional hierarchy includes the step of comparing in an error detector expected behavior of a service element with the actual behavior of the service element and reporting an error to an error handler when there is a difference between the expected behavior and the actual behavior.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of testing the service element with signals from a tester.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the step of controlling communication includes reporting said error at a local level to an error detector of a higher level in the functional hierarchy when the error is not recoverable by the error handler at the local level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of controlling communication includes receiving error information originating at a lower level in the management hierarchy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the step of controlling communication includes the step of controlling a lower level fault handler and tester to handle a fault located at the lower level in the management hierarchy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of operating said functional hierarchy is performed synchronously with a functional operation of the computer system and the step of operating said management hierarchy is performed asynchronously from the functional operation of the computer system.
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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) | 2001-04-13 | 2001-10-13 | 2002-04-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-13 | 2005-10-13 | 2006-04-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-13 | 2009-10-13 | 2010-04-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |