Automatic BIOS recovery in a multi-node computer system

Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery – Data processing system error or fault handling – Reliability and availability

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C713S002000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06934873

ABSTRACT:
A method of recovering from basic input/output system (BIOS) corruption operates in a multi-node computer system (MCS). The MCS includes first and second nodes, a first firmware unit in the first node, and a second firmware unit in the second node. According to the method, in response to initiation of a boot sequence for the MCS, the MCS automatically checks a BIOS image in the first firmware unit in the first node for corruption. In response to detecting corruption of the BIOS image in the first firmware unit, the MCS automatically recovers from the corruption by causing a good BIOS image to be copied from the second firmware unit in the second node to the first firmware unit in the first node. In one example embodiment, the MCS may contain multiple nodes, and the MCS may automatically recover from BIOS errors if any node contains a good BIOS image.

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