Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Network computer configuring
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-01
2004-06-29
Meky, Moustafa M. (Department: 2157)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Network computer configuring
C709S226000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06757721
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of multiple configuration setting and backup editing of a network apparatus and, more particularly, to such a method in which a none volatile memory is installed in the network apparatus and divided into multiple configuration sectors; one configuration sector is schemed to become an active configuration sector, for enabling the network apparatus to use the configuration in the active configuration sector for normal running, and the other configuration sectors are schemed to become backup configuration sectors; after editing the configuration in one backup configuration sector, the edited backup configuration sector is converted into an active configuration sector and the original active configuration sector is converted into a backup configuration sector.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In an Ethernet, as illustrated in
FIG. 1
, terminals A, B, C and D of different Ethernet segments
11
,
12
,
13
and
14
are connected to different ports
1
,
2
,
3
and
4
of at least one network apparatus, such as hub, switch or router
30
to achieve linking for exchanging data. A network apparatus
30
for this purpose can have multiple ports. Apparatus having same DPDUs (bridge protocol data units) for use in Ethernet, either formed of a single device or a rack of devices are the so-call network apparatus of the present invention.
Currently, intelligent network apparatus provide a particular function for enabling the network manager to set a configuration subject to the actual linking condition of the network apparatus or users' requirements. However, the none volatile memory of these intelligent network apparatus is designed for storing one configuration only. When wishing to back-up or edit the configuration, as shown in
FIG.2
, the network manager must edit or modify the configuration through the console
50
or browser of the network apparatus
30
and then store the edited or modified configuration back to none volatile memory. Because the network apparatus
30
does not provide the configuration backup or edit function, any change of the set values of the configuration will immediately affect normal operation of the network apparatus when the network manager doing the editing or modifying work.
Further, if the network manager wishes to back-up the configuration of the network apparatus periodically due to network management requirements, an additional server
40
and the related software must be installed in the network apparatus
30
for linking to the network, as shown in
FIG. 2
, so that when the network manager gives a backup instruction through the software set in the console
50
, the network apparatus
30
is driven to send the configuration to the server
40
through a network card
31
, and to make a backup of the configuration in the server
40
. Without the server
40
, the configuration backup action cannot be achieved.
Further, If the network apparatus
30
encounters a problem or fails and the network manager wishes to maintain or repair the network apparatus
30
, the network manager must download the configuration through the server
40
and then install the configuration back in the network apparatus
30
, for enabling the network apparatus
30
to work continuously. This maintenance procedure is complicated and time-consuming. More particularly, if the trouble of the network apparatus
30
extends to the network card
31
, or causes the network card
31
unable to link to the server
40
, the network manager will not be able to download the backup of the original configuration. In this case, the maintenance work becomes more complicated. In case the network apparatus must be switched between multiple configurations to provide different network operation environments to fit different linking conditions and different user requirements, the procedure of changing the configurations is also complicated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been accomplished to provide a method of multiple configuration setting and backup editing of a network apparatus, which eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks. According to the present invention, a none volatile memory is installed in a network apparatus being connected to a console. The none volatile memory is then schemed to become a group of multiple configuration sectors, and one of the configuration sectors of the none volatile memory is assigned as an active configuration sector, for enabling the network apparatus to use the configuration in the active configuration sector for normal running, while the other configuration sectors assigned as backup configuration sectors. After editing of the configuration in one of the backup configuration sectors, the edited backup configuration sector into an active configuration sector is converted into an active configuration sector, and then the original active configuration sector is converted into a backup configuration sector.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6378021 (2002-04-01), Okazawa et al.
patent: 6412080 (2002-06-01), Fleming et al.
patent: 6557169 (2003-04-01), Erpeldinger
patent: 6622265 (2003-09-01), Gavin
Bacon & Thomas PLLC
D-Link Corporation
Meky Moustafa M.
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