Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Digital data processing system initialization or configuration
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-20
2003-05-06
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2185)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Digital data processing system initialization or configuration
C713S002000, C713S100000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06560699
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of constraint-based software languages. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of constraint-based software languages in configuration files for hardware or software components.
2. The Background
Electronic and mechanical equipment have slowly been incorporating computer-related devices in recent years. Much of the electronic and mechanical equipment currently sold contains at least some portion that can be considered computer related. A prime example of this is in the startup process of various hardware devices. Generally, during power up, a sequence of steps are undertaken to configure the hardware and to ensure that the equipment runs properly. Many hardware devices have hardwired startup sequences, where the startup sequence is built into the electronic or mechanical equipment itself. Some hardware devices contain configuration files, oftentimes stored in non-volatile memory such as Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM) and Electrically-Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), which are accessed upon powering up the device. This allows the devices to execute certain hard-wired startup procedures and to configure settings by varying the parameters of the startup procedures, while also allowing a manufacturer to easily modify the startup parameters during testing, building, and even after shipment of the devices. These configuration files are generally simple binary or textual files indicating the values for certain parameters needed during initialization of the hardware.
One particular field in which such hardware configuration files are especially helpful is networking. In computer networks, devices such as routers, hubs, and gateways may be manufactured in a generic fashion, but particularities within each network require modification of the settings of these devices for each network in order for them to be properly used. Thus, a router, for example, may have a predetermined startup sequence which may alter the settings of the router according to parameters stored in a configuration file in an EEPROM within the router, and thus allow the router to be used in a specific network. If the router was then sold and used in a completely different type of network (or if the configuration of the router needs to be otherwise modified), only the configuration file need be changed.
However, since the configuration files are generally simple text files, there are several drawbacks. The files must generally be updated by the manufacturer, or by a user in a time-consuming update procedure. There is no ability to dynamically update the configuration files automatically, or for that matter, to dynamically update the system in general, for example, when a device is added or removed from the network. There is also no ability to verify the accuracy or compatibility of the configuration files, which could be especially helpful if there is a corrupt portion of the configuration file or other error in the configuration file. Lastly, there is no ability to use the same configuration file across multiple product platforms, as configuration files are very product-specific.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Configuration files may define settings and parameters for hardware and software devices in a computer system. In an embodiment of the present invention, constraint-based language configuration files may be used for the dynamic update of configuration files, as well as for verification of accuracy or compatibility of these configuration files.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5247516 (1993-09-01), Berstein et al.
patent: 5367635 (1994-11-01), Bauer et al.
patent: 5524212 (1996-06-01), Somani et al.
patent: 5678006 (1997-10-01), Valizadeh et al.
patent: 5708798 (1998-01-01), Lynch et al.
patent: 5715394 (1998-02-01), Jabs
patent: 5768586 (1998-06-01), Zweben et al.
patent: 5799141 (1998-08-01), Galipeau et al.
patent: 5802042 (1998-09-01), Natarajan et al.
patent: 5809287 (1998-09-01), Stupek, Jr. et al.
patent: 5956732 (1999-09-01), Tsuchida
patent: 5968116 (1999-10-01), Day, II et al.
patent: 5974454 (1999-10-01), Apfel et al.
patent: 5999740 (1999-12-01), Rowley
patent: 6074434 (2000-06-01), Cole et al.
patent: 6223345 (2001-04-01), Jones et al.
patent: 6253320 (2001-06-01), Sekiguchi et al.
patent: 6366876 (2002-04-01), Looney
patent: 6377939 (2002-04-01), Young
patent: 6404445 (2002-06-01), Galea et al.
Cisco Systems, Inc., “Cisco DNS/DHCP Manager”, printed from http://mwrns.noaa.gov/cisco/cc/td/doc/resprdct/res31.htm, on Sep. 10, 1998, 4 pages..
Cisco Systems, Inc., “CiscoDNS/DHCP Manager V.1.1”, printed from http://www.combinet.com/warp/public/751/dnsmg/dnsmg_ds.htm, on Sep. 10, 1998, 4 pages.
Cisco Systems, Inc., “Cisco DNS/DHCP Manager V.1.1”, printed from http://www.combinet.com/warp/public/751/dnsmg/dnsmg_pa.htm, on Sep. 10, 1998, 7 pages.
Dhcp Faq, pp. 1-22, printed from http://web.syr.edu/~jmwobus/comfaws/dhcp.faw.html.
Cisco Systems, Inc., “Dhcp Solution Helps Scale and Configure IP Nodes in Growing Switched Networks”, printed from http://cio.cisco.co.jp/warp/public/795.6.html, on Sep. 10, 1998, 2 pages.
Droms, R., “Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol,” Network Working Group, Rfc 1531, Oct. 1993.
Droms, R., “Interoperation Between Dhcp and Bootp”, Oct., 1993, Network Working Group, pp. 1-4, printed from http://www.join.com/rfc 1534.html.
Cisco Technology Inc.
Hanish Marc S.
Lee Thomas
Thelen Reid & Priest LLP
Trujillo James
LandOfFree
Constraint-based language configuration files for updating... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Constraint-based language configuration files for updating..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Constraint-based language configuration files for updating... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3048292