Abstract: A method for preserving error data on a computing platform that lacks non-volatile storage (e.g., a “diskless” platform) is provided. In response to detecting a platform error (e.g., automatically by hardware, software, or manually by a user when a wait or loop condition is suspected), platform error data may be gathered and temporarily stored in volatile storage accessible on the platform. In order to preserve the platform error data in the event power is lost after the error, the platform error data is transferred to a target system with access to non-volatile storage. Once the target system indicates the platform error data has been stored in non-volatile storage, the volatile storage used to temporarily store the platform error data may be freed-up.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a computer-based service security system receives a communication such as a query. The system processes that query in a server, which may be referred to as a lead server, and creates a plurality of copies of that lead server. The query is transferred to the plurality of copies of the lead server when the query did not cause a problem in the lead server. The query is transferred to a learning server when the query caused a problem in the lead server. The lead server is replaced by one of the copies of the lead server when the query caused a problem on the lead server.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rollback-free method for performing multi-step procedures in the presence of possible failure. As the procedure proceeds from its initial state through transitions to its final state, its constituent transitions are monitored for failure. If a failure is detected, then the procedure is “sidetracked” into a recovery coordination state. From the recovery coordination state, the procedure is logically taken back to its initial state and retried. In this manner, the procedure is shepherded, without rollbacks, through its transitions until it successfully reaches its final state. In a particular embodiment, a multi-step procedure is developed for moving a resource from one resource server to another The steps of the procedure are designed so that all throughout the procedure, both of the resource servers and a directory server are kept synchronized. This allows client requests to proceed without interruption even during the resource movement.

Abstract: A method dramatically reduces the amount of data to be stored and transferred in a networked storage system. Preferably, the network storage system provides continued data protection through mirroring/replication, disk-to-disk backup, data archiving for future retrieval, and Information Lifecycle management (ILM). The idea is to leverage the parity computation that exists in RAID systems. By caching, transferring, and storing data parity or delta bytes of changes on a block as opposed to data block itself, substantial data reduction is possible without using sophisticated compression algorithms at the production side to minimize performance impacts upon production servers. Data can be computed using the parity/delta and previously existing data at mirror side, replication side, backup storage, or at retrieval time upon events such as failures or ILM operations.

Abstract: According to the present invention, in cases where a CHA function and a DKA function are mounted within a single package, a battery power supply that is used during the occurrence of power supply trouble is effectively utilized so that the supply of power can be separately controlled for each function. A CHA part and DKA part are disposed in a single control package. When trouble such as a power outage is detected, the CHA part blocks access requests from the host, and initiates end processing. When the end processing of the CHA part is completed, the package internal power supply control part stops the clock supply to the CHA part. Then, when the DKA part completes destage processing, the package internal power supply control part stops the supply of power to the DKA part. The power consumption of the package is lowered in stages in accordance with the progress of the end processing.

Abstract: A method for initiating a data storage facility recovery process in a data processing system having a first peer data storage facility and a second peer data storage facility communicating with the first peer data storage facility by a communication link. The method of initiating a recovery process is invoked by one peer data storage facility upon another peer data storage facility operating under a peer to peer remote copy (PPRC) protocol. Data copied from a first peer data storage facility to a second peer data storage facility is monitored for errors. Upon detection of an error by one peer data storage facility, recovery and data collection operations are initiated on the other peer data storage facility. Preferably, the initiation of recovery and data collection operations occurs out of band, over a second communication link between the peer data storage facilities.

Abstract: A method for providing data integrity of a database system. A standby database is selected to replace a failed primary database. At least one redo log file having at least one data transaction is selected to be applied to the selected standby database. The selected standby database is updated with the data transaction from the selected redo log file if an identification code in the redo log file matches an identification code in the standby database.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing impairments in computer networking services a plurality of connector gateways for interfacing to a plurality of data sources to provide access by the system to computer network data, business-related data, and extra-enterprise environmental data in the plurality of data sources. The system includes a knowledge manager in communication with each of the plurality of connector gateways for analyzing data from the plurality of data sources to generate diagnostic conclusions for resolving the impairments in the computer networking services. The system also includes an interactor in communication with the knowledge manager for generating format information for displaying at least the diagnostic conclusions to a user. The system can include a graphical user interface for displaying at least the diagnostic conclusions associated with edges of an edge model of the computer networking services of the user.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering from a computer system crashing as a result of the storage disk suffering physical damage and/or the corruption of an application, operating system, and/or data. The computer system may be standalone or a part of a communication network. The computer includes a hard disk storage divided into a primary partition containing a unique operating system for executing application programs and a recovery partition containing a unique operating system for executing application programs and for backup data storage. A boot track storing a boot manager, a backup status information file for establishing communication between the operating systems of the primary and recovery partitions, and a status validation file verifying the integrity of the backup status information file.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement allows data, which are necessary for building up fault-tolerant structures, to be transmitted on standard ring-shaped bus systems. Its implementation requires a monitoring unit and input and output units which transmit or receive data for control. The circuit arrangement handles the task of detecting any faults which can become a danger for the process within a machine or plant. Due to its internal configuration, the circuit arrangement identifies any fault even before the detection of the fault and initiates a protected switch-off. In this arrangement, it is of no importance whether it is the external control unit or the bus system used which is responsible for the fault.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product in a logical partitioned data processing system are disclosed for providing a host bridge that implements extended error handling (EEH). If all devices coupled to the host bridge implement EEH, the host bridge is initialized to operate in EEH mode. In EEH mode, the devices handle any error that occurs within the devices without reporting the error to the host bridge. All partitions that share the host bridge continue to operate without being terminated while the devices are handling the error. If at least one device does not implement EEH, the host bridge is initialized to operate in non-EEH mode. In non-EEH mode, a machine check is generated by the host bridge when an error occurs within one of the devices resulting in the termination of all partitions that share the host bridge in response to a receipt of the machine check.

Abstract: A test and debug processor capable of initiating, commanding and executing JTAG-bus functions without the involvement of an external CPU. The processor includes a JTAG-bus controller with a JTAG port coupled to it. The JTAG-bus functions are encoded in instructions and stored in a memory structure. The processor instructions are then fetched and executed directly by the JTAG-bus controller without software interpretation. The instructions optionally includes JTAG-bus end state, function duration information, information about the location of the data to be sent out to the test object and a location to store the information received from the test object. Optionally, the test and debug processor can directly access any memory structure to fetch or store test data objects by adding a memory bus-controller interface to the processor. The ability to execute arithmetic and logic operation and register transfer operations on test data can be added using an ALU.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a high-availability (HA) cluster system. The cluster includes a plurality of computing nodes and clustering software configured to manage the cluster. In addition, the cluster includes a smart card, including a microprocessor-based system, communicatively connected to each of the nodes. Another embodiment disclosed relates to an apparatus adapted for use with a corresponding node of a high-availability (HA) cluster. The apparatus includes a microprocessor, control software, at least one input channel to receive data from the corresponding node, at least one output channel to send commands to the corresponding node, at least one input link to receive commands from clustering software of the HA cluster, and at least one output link to send information to the clustering software. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Stable and automated recovery of an application executing on a primary computer system by transitioning to a secondary computer system is provided. Intelligent agents installed on a primary client server allow the primary environment to be replicated on a host, secondary environment. This creates continuous availability of applications executing on the primary system via the mirrored host environment. Every transaction on the client environment (e.g., every piece of data) is replicated in real-time on the host environment. A simple mechanism (e.g., a button) is provided to allow access to the secondary environment thereby switching over from the client environment to the host environment in the case of, with respect to the primary environment, a disaster, a need to perform maintenance, system failure and the like.

Abstract: A computer system includes a main system that executes an application in cooperation with a human user. An auxiliary system evaluates problems that occur in the main system. The auxiliary system includes a service module that collects problem related data from the main system, an acquisition module that acquires knowledge representations, a knowledge module that stores knowledge representations, an inference module that processes problem related data with knowledge representations to identify solutions and that forwards the solutions through the service module to the main system. The auxiliary system distinguishes a context of the problems and distinguishes versions of the main system.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of preventative maintenance of a high-availability cluster. A least-recently-tested active node is determined. The least-recently-tested active node is swapped out from the HA cluster, and a stand-by node is swapped into the HA cluster. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a storage device that performs automatic media repair so that, after a media error is encountered, subsequent write operations are completed on a known good sector while read operations from the repaired sector are induced to fail so that the user never receives corrupted or indeterminate data. Recovery of the error is accomplished by restoring the damaged file, without resorting to the restoration of the complete media volume. Consequently, recovery from media error is accomplished in less time, and affects only the working processes that use the affected file, rather than the system as a whole.

Abstract: A high-performance, high-reliable backplane bus has a simple configuration and operation. An error reporting network (ERN) provides an inexpensive approach to collecting the error state of a whole system in a uniform and consistent way. The uniformity allows for simpler interface software and for standardized hardware handling of classes of errors. In a preferred embodiment, serial error registers are used, minimizing implementation cost and making the software interface to the serial registers much easier. Serial error information is transferred over a separate data path from the main parallel bus, decreasing the chance of the original error corrupting the error information. Each CPU is provided with a local copy of the entire body of error information. The redundancy minimizes the impact of a possible CPU failure and allows the CPUs to coordinate error recovery.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided. A method of operating a memory device includes detecting a programming failure at a first location of a memory array, preserving data within the memory device when the program failure is detected, programming a second location of the memory array with a first portion of the preserved data, programming a third location of the memory array with a second portion of the preserved data, and combining, at the second location of the memory array, the first portion of the preserved data programmed in the second location of the memory array with a third portion of the preserved data from the first location of the memory array.

Abstract: The present invention improves the stability of a Web browser by identifying plug-in modules that cause failures. Data in memory at the time of a failure is analyzed and a failure signature is generated. The failure signature is compared to a database of known failure signatures so that the source of the failure may be identified. If a plug-in module to a Web browser is identified as the source of a failure, options are presented to the user who may update the plug-in module with code that does not produce a failure or disable the plug-in module altogether.