Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer network managing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-10-02
Meky, Moustafa M. (Department: 2757)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer network managing
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298379
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to computer systems and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for controlling the operational status in a network computer while critical system management operations are performed by the network computer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Individual computers are commonly connected together in networks. The network connections facilitate communications between the individual computers and also allow processing tasks to be distributed to the individual computers. Various other processing devices may be connected in a network along with one or more computers. For example, a network may connect several individual computers, communications devices, environmental systems, and security systems. As the term is used in this disclosure, a “network” ) shall comprise any arrangement of processing devices in which the individual devices or systems are adapted to communicate with each other. A “network computer” may include any processing device which is included in the network, such as an individual personal computer for example.
A network requires a management system for managing communications between the individual devices included in the network, and for managing processes distributed throughout the network. A network management system may also manage both application software and system operational software associated with the individual devices or systems included in the network. For example, a network management system may be used to update or otherwise modify the startup or “boot” software on individual network computers. In this example, the network management system transmits a system management instruction to the selected network computers. This instruction is executed on each network computer causing each respective computer to write the desired new “boot” software code to the appropriate storage device associated with the computer.
In order to manage the network, the network management system may require constant access to the individual devices or systems which are included in the network. This access allows the network management system to direct the individual devices or systems to perform network management operations, such as the “boot” software update described above. Thus, the individual devices included in the network preferably remain in an operational state at all times, ready to process instructions from the network management system.
Problems arise in network management operations due to the local control commonly included in network computers. Individual network computers or other devices commonly have power switches which allow a user to turn the respective device off. Network computers or other devices also commonly include reset switches which may be activated by a user to reset the processor, or processors, associated with the computer. Should a network computer be turned off or reset while the computer is performing a critical network management task or operation, such as updating the “boot” software for example, the network management operation will be interrupted. In the “boot” software update example, such an interruption may leave the network computer in a condition in which it will not “boot” or start properly. Even if the interrupted operation does not leave the network computer in an inoperative condition, once the network computer returns to an operational state, the network management system will be required to locate and correct any problems resulting from the interrupted operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of invention to provide an apparatus, method, and program product for maintaining an individual network computer or other device a suitable operational state for performing network management operations.
The apparatus according to the invention includes a network interface for receiving instructions, and a processor or processing means for executing the instructions. Both the network interface and processor are associated with a network computer. The instructions received through the network interface include a control interrupt instruction, a system management instruction, and a release instruction. The processor executes the control interrupt instruction first to produce a control interrupt signal. An operational status controller included in the apparatus responds to the control interrupt signal by disabling local operational status control at the network computer. The processor next executes the system management instruction which causes the network computer to perform the desired system management operation. Finally, the processor executes the release instruction to produce a release signal. The operational status controller responds to the release signal by enabling local operational status control at the network computer. Thus, the apparatus according to the invention ensures that the desired operational status is maintained in the network computer, enabling the network computer to perform the desired system management operation without interference from the user of the network computer.
In some forms of the invention, the network computer will include a switch which may be activated by a user to change operational states in the network computer. For example, the computer may include a switching arrangement through which a user may produce an internal interrupt signal which causes an interrupt controller in the computer to issue an instruction placing the computer in a standby state. In this form of invention, the interrupt controller functions as the operational status controller, responding to the control interrupt signal by becoming unresponsive to the internal interrupt signal.
In another example, a switch associated with the network computer may be activated to provide a power-good signal which places the network computer in an active operational state. Removing the power-good signal normally places the network computer in another state, for example, turns the network computer off. In this example, the operational status controller includes control logic which causes the network computer to remain in the active operational state even after power-good signal is removed.
The method of invention includes receiving the control interrupt instruction, system management instruction, and release instruction at the network computer. The method further includes executing the control interrupt instruction to produce the control interrupt signal, and disabling local operational status control of the network computer in response to the control interrupt signal. After local operational status control is disabled, the method includes executing the system management structure to perform the desired system management operation at the network computer. Finally, the method includes executing the release instruction to produce the release signal, and enabling local operational status control in response to the release signal.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, considered along with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4862350 (1989-08-01), Orr et al.
patent: 5546539 (1996-08-01), Poling
patent: 5841988 (1998-11-01), Chennubhotla et al.
patent: 5964891 (1999-10-01), Caswell et al.
patent: 6195682 (2001-02-01), Ho et al.
Aguilar Maximino
Brewer James A.
Gorrell, Jr. John William
Gupta Sanjay
Stafford James Michael
Culbertson Russell D.
International Business Machines - Corporation
Meky Moustafa M.
Salys Casimer K.
Shaffer & Culbertson LLP
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