US6490690B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for unix system catastrophic recovery aid
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1999-07-22
•
Granted: 2002-12-03
•
Expires: 2019-07-22
Abstract
Abstract Initially, a configuration script is stored either remotely or locally on a system. The configuration script is executed based on a set of predefined execution parameters, such as time based parameters, system usage or loading parameters, or even based on the types of operations being performed on the system. Once executed, the configuration script outputs a series of current configuration parameters to a safe storage area. These current configuration parameters define the system in terms of system hardware specifics, software specifics, and firmware specifics, including mappings from logical to physical disk drives. By recording such detailed information in a methodical form and preserving it in an accessible state, a script may be written to place every logical volume, every file system, and every block of data back onto its disk of origin, even if the disk arrays stretch into terabytes. By detailing all relevant system parameters, output can be fed as input into a reconstruction script, which can then be written by anyone skilled in UNIX administration, provided the administrator has the comprehensive system environment description generated by the present invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl Phillip Gusler
- 👤 II Rick A. Hamilton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:38
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/14; G06F11/1402; G06F11/1415; G06F11/142; G06F11/1435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method in a data processing system for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: executing a configuration parameter listing script; receiving a configuration parameter list in response to executing the script, said list including environmental settings that define an operating environment for said system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said entire operating environment; storing the configuration parameter list; accessing the configuration parameter list; and constructing a configuration image file for said system using the configuration parameter list.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method in a data processing system for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: executing a configuration parameter listing script; receiving a configuration parameter list in response to executing the script, said list including environmental settings that define an operating environment for said system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said entire operating environment; storing the configuration parameter list; accessing the configuration parameter list; and constructing a configuration image file for said system using the configuration parameter list.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of executing a configuration parameter listing script is performed locally.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of executing a configuration parameter listing script is performed remotely.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of executing a configuration parameter listing script is performed on a UNIX operating system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of storing the configuration parameter list further comprises accessing a remote memory.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of storing the configuration parameter list further comprises writing the configuration parameter list to hard copy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of constructing a configuration image file for a system is a manual operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of constructing a configuration image file for a system further comprises executing a reconstruction script that utilizes the configuration parameter list.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of executing is performed based on time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of executing is performed based on execution parameters.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
122 words
A method in a data processing system for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: executing a configuration parameter listing script; receiving a baseline list of configuration parameters in response to executing the script, said configuration parameters being environmental settings that define an operating environment for said system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said entire operating environment; re-executing the configuration parameter listing script; receiving an updated list of configuration parameters in response to executing the script; comparing the updated list of configuration to the baseline list of configuration parameters; and modifying the baseline list of configuration parameters to include configuration parameters on the basis of comparing.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
122 words
A method in a data processing system for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: executing a configuration parameter listing script; receiving a baseline list of configuration parameters in response to executing the script, said configuration parameters being environmental settings that define an operating environment for said system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said entire operating environment; re-executing the configuration parameter listing script; receiving an updated list of configuration parameters in response to executing the script; comparing the updated list of configuration to the baseline list of configuration parameters; and modifying the baseline list of configuration parameters to include configuration parameters on the basis of comparing.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
95 words
A method in a data processing system for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: receiving a request for a configuration parameter listing; determining system configuration parameters, said system configuration parameters being environmental settings that define an operating environment for said system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconfigure said entire operating environment; transmitting the configuration parameter listing, including said system configuration parameters; losing system configuration information due to a system failure; and reconfiguring the system using the configuration parameter listing.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
95 words
A method in a data processing system for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: receiving a request for a configuration parameter listing; determining system configuration parameters, said system configuration parameters being environmental settings that define an operating environment for said system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconfigure said entire operating environment; transmitting the configuration parameter listing, including said system configuration parameters; losing system configuration information due to a system failure; and reconfiguring the system using the configuration parameter listing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
178 words
A data processing method for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: receiving a queue for executing a configuration parameter listing script for a first system; requesting a configuration parameter listing for the first system; storing the configuration parameter listing for the first system, said list including environmental settings that define an operating environment for said first system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said entire operating environment; receiving a queue for executing a configuration parameter listing script for a second system; requesting a configuration parameter listing for the second system, said list including environmental settings that define an operating environment for said second system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said operating environment; storing the configuration parameter listing for the second system; detecting a system failure for one of the first or second system; and making the configuration parameter listing for the failed system available to an administrator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
178 words
A data processing method for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: receiving a queue for executing a configuration parameter listing script for a first system; requesting a configuration parameter listing for the first system; storing the configuration parameter listing for the first system, said list including environmental settings that define an operating environment for said first system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said entire operating environment; receiving a queue for executing a configuration parameter listing script for a second system; requesting a configuration parameter listing for the second system, said list including environmental settings that define an operating environment for said second system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said operating environment; storing the configuration parameter listing for the second system; detecting a system failure for one of the first or second system; and making the configuration parameter listing for the failed system available to an administrator.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: executing means for executing a configuration parameter listing script; receiving means for receiving a configuration parameter list in response to executing the script, said list including environmental settings that define an operating environment for said system, said environmental settings including hardware specific, settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said entire operating environment; storing means for storing the configuration parameter list; accessing means for accessing the configuration parameter list; and constructing means for constructing a configuration image file for a system using the configuration parameter list.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
104 words
A system for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: executing means for executing a configuration parameter listing script; receiving means for receiving a configuration parameter list in response to executing the script, said list including environmental settings that define an operating environment for said system, said environmental settings including hardware specific, settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said entire operating environment; storing means for storing the configuration parameter list; accessing means for accessing the configuration parameter list; and constructing means for constructing a configuration image file for a system using the configuration parameter list.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system recited in claim 14 , wherein the executing means for executing a configuration parameter listing script is performed locally.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system recited in claim 14 , wherein the executing means for executing a configuration parameter listing script is performed remotely.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system recited in claim 14 , wherein the executing means for executing a configuration parameter listing script is performed on a UNIX operating system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system recited in claim 14 , wherein the storing means for storing the configuration parameter list further comprises accessing a remote memory.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system recited in claim 14 , wherein the storing means for storing the configuration parameter list further comprises writing the configuration parameter list to hard copy.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system recited in claim 14 , wherein the constructing means for constructing a configuration image file for a system is a manual operation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system recited in claim 14 , wherein the constructing means for constructing a configuration image file for a system further comprises executing a reconstruction script that utilizes the configuration parameter list.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system recited in claim 14 , wherein the executing means for executing is performed based on time.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 14 , wherein the executing means for executing is performed based on execution parameters.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
138 words
A data processing system for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: executing means for executing a configuration parameter listing script; receiving means for receiving a baseline list of configuration parameters in response to executing the script, said configuration parameters being environmental settings that define an operating environment for said system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said entire operating environment; re-executing means for re-executing the configuration parameter listing script; receiving means for receiving an updated list of configuration parameters in response to executing the script; comparing means for comparing the updated list of configuration parameters to the baseline list of configuration parameters; and modifying means for modifying the baseline list of configuration parameters to include configuration parameters on the basis of comparing.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
138 words
A data processing system for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: executing means for executing a configuration parameter listing script; receiving means for receiving a baseline list of configuration parameters in response to executing the script, said configuration parameters being environmental settings that define an operating environment for said system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said entire operating environment; re-executing means for re-executing the configuration parameter listing script; receiving means for receiving an updated list of configuration parameters in response to executing the script; comparing means for comparing the updated list of configuration parameters to the baseline list of configuration parameters; and modifying means for modifying the baseline list of configuration parameters to include configuration parameters on the basis of comparing.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
95 words
A data processing system for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: receiving means for receiving a request for a configuration parameter listing; determining means for determining system configuration parameters, said configuration parameters being environmental settings that define an operating environment for said system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstructs said entire operating environment; transmitting the configuration parameter listing; losing system configuration information due to a system failure; and reconfiguring means for reconfiguring the system using the configuration parameter listing.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
95 words
A data processing system for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: receiving means for receiving a request for a configuration parameter listing; determining means for determining system configuration parameters, said configuration parameters being environmental settings that define an operating environment for said system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstructs said entire operating environment; transmitting the configuration parameter listing; losing system configuration information due to a system failure; and reconfiguring means for reconfiguring the system using the configuration parameter listing.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
202 words
A data processing system for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: receiving means for receiving a queue for executing a configuration parameter listing script for a first system; requesting means for requesting a configuration parameter listing for the first system, said list including environmental settings that define an operating environment for said first system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said entire operating environment; storing means for storing the configuration parameter listing for the first system; receiving means for receiving a queue for executing a configuration parameter listing script for a second system, said list including environmental settings that define an operating environment for said second system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said operating environment; requesting means for requesting a configuration parameter listing for the second system; storing means for storing the configuration parameter listing for the second system; detecting means for detecting a system failure for one of the first or second system; and making means for making the configuration parameter listing for the failed system available to an administrator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
202 words
A data processing system for implementing catastrophic recovery aid to a system, comprising: receiving means for receiving a queue for executing a configuration parameter listing script for a first system; requesting means for requesting a configuration parameter listing for the first system, said list including environmental settings that define an operating environment for said first system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said entire operating environment; storing means for storing the configuration parameter listing for the first system; receiving means for receiving a queue for executing a configuration parameter listing script for a second system, said list including environmental settings that define an operating environment for said second system, said environmental settings including hardware specific settings and software specific settings, said hardware and software settings being necessary to reconstruct said operating environment; requesting means for requesting a configuration parameter listing for the second system; storing means for storing the configuration parameter listing for the second system; detecting means for detecting a system failure for one of the first or second system; and making means for making the configuration parameter listing for the failed system available to an administrator.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of including data structure information within said environmental settings.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 27 , further comprising the step of including data structure information within said environmental settings, said data structure information including physical-to-logical mapping information.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 27 , further comprising the step of including information including volume group information.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 27 , further comprising the step of including data structure information within said environmental settings, said data structure information including filesystem information.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 27 , further comprising the step of including data structure information within said environmental settings, said data structure information including logical volume information.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of including disk allocation information within said environmental settings.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of including network interface information within said environmental settings.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of including operational services information within said environmental settings.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of including printer definition information within said environmental settings.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of including software revision information within said environmental settings.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according claim 14 further comprising said environmental settings including data structure information.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 37 , further comprising said data structure information including physical-to-logical mapping information.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 37 , further comprising said data structure information including volume group information.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 37 , further comprising said data structure information including filesystem information.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 37 , further comprising said data structure information including logical volume information.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 14 , further comprising said environmental settings including disk allocation information.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 14 , further comprising said environmental settings including network interface information.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 14 , further comprising said environmental settings including operational services information.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 14 , further comprising said environmental settings including printer definition information.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 14 , further comprising said environmental settings including software revision information.
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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) | 2005-12-02 | 2006-06-03 | 2006-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-02 | 2010-06-03 | 2010-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-02 | 2014-06-03 | 2014-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |