Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery – Data processing system error or fault handling – Reliability and availability
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-19
2001-10-16
Beausoleil, Robert (Department: 2181)
Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery
Data processing system error or fault handling
Reliability and availability
C714S022000, C714S815000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304981
ABSTRACT:
FILED OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally related to information handling systems including computer systems and related devices which store data in at least one of volatile and non-volatile memory, and more particularly to a system and method for controlling the shutdown of an information handling system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
High-end information handling systems such as, for example, network computer systems utilizing a client/server architecture conventionally have features providing a means for automatically shutting down or resetting the system when a particular event occurs or is likely to occur. However, shutting down or resetting such a system, while running in a multi-user operating configuration without first ensuring all volatile data has been saved may cause catastrophic data loss.
Known to the art are information handling systems which allow a user, such as a system administrator or the like, to set as a user definable parameter the amount of time to allow the system to flush all volatile data into a non-volatile environment before the system shuts itself down or resets itself. However, the time parameter entered by the user is typically based on his or her “best guess” of the amount of time required to perform such an operation over an average of different operating parameters and conditions. Thus, a parameter value which is too long (one which perhaps is longer than a set of physical conditions will permit) may be selected by a user causing the system to not shut down properly. This increases the possibility damage to the system. Similarly, a parameter value which is too short (one which will not allow all volatile information to be properly stored) may be selected causing a loss of data as the information handling system shuts down.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a system for automatically determining the time required for an information handling system to reach a safe shutdown and then effecting such a shutdown thereby preventing catastrophic loss of data.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a novel system and method for automatically determining the time interval required for an information handling system such as a network computer system, or the like, to reach a safe shutdown, and then effecting such a shutdown. This may be accomplished, for example, by continually calculating the time interval necessary to store all information contained in volatile memory to non-volatile memory and shut down the system. In order to calculate shutdown time requirements, heuristics may be determined for various operating systems, applications, application environments, and the like.
The present invention may be utilized in information handling systems as a complementary technology in fault-tolerant schemas such as, for example, a fault tolerant CPU (Central Processor Unit) shutdown environment, or the like, wherein it is necessary to know how much time an operating system takes to save volatile data to non-volatile locations before resetting the information handling system. Similarly, the present invention may be utilized in conjunction with an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) in a UPS environment wherein it is necessary to know how long the various components of an information handling system must continue to operate after an event occurs which requires the system to be powered down. For example, a UPS may provide power to several workstations of a network system. Utilizing the present invention, such a UPS might allow some workstations to power off sooner than others, thus maximizing the available reserve battery capacity of the UPS.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5155842 (1992-10-01), Rubin
patent: 5381554 (1995-01-01), Langer et al.
patent: 5615353 (1997-03-01), Lautzenheiser
patent: 5717934 (1998-02-01), Pitt et al.
patent: 5793124 (1998-08-01), Mitzaki
patent: 6073173 (2000-06-01), Bittinger et al.
patent: 6137292 (2000-10-01), Hirsch et al.
Spears Cameron
Zhu Wenli
Beausoleil Robert
Gateway Inc.
Suiter & Associates PC
Vo Tim
West Kevin E.
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