Abstract: Implementations of this invention provide improved technology for storage-device activation control in high-availability storage systems and tracking of in-service data statistics of storage-devices. Typical high-availability storage systems include a fault-tolerant redundant array of storage devices, such as disk drives. The invention may be implemented with one or more inactive (un-powered) drives physically installed in the storage system, but not part of the present fault-tolerant redundant array of disk drives. When a drive fails, one of the inactive drives is activated (powered-on) and it replaces the failed disk and becomes part of the present array. With the newly activated disk included, the data is reconstructed and the original fault-tolerance level is restored. Furthermore, the invention may be implemented so that it tracks the actual in-service time of the storage devices (such as disk drives).

Abstract: A forms printing apparatus includes a web server having a forms solution for supporting forms generation and transmission via an information exchange protocol. The web server includes a control interface for generating and transmitting forms as electronic material. The apparatus includes a request initiating client machine having a web browser and a network connection with the web server. An output device of the apparatus is selected by a user and supports an information exchange protocol and a control interface for receiving forms transmitted from the web server and rendering user-perceptible forms.

Abstract: A forms printing apparatus includes a web server having a forms solution for supporting forms generation and transmission via an information exchange protocol. The web server includes a control interface for generating and transmitting forms as electronic material. The apparatus includes a request initiating client machine having a web browser and a network connection with the web server. An output device of the apparatus is selected by a user and supports an information exchange protocol and a control interface for receiving forms transmitted from the web server and rendering user-perceptible forms.

Abstract: Implementations of this invention provide improved technology for storage-device activation control in high-availability storage systems and tracking of in-service data statistics of storage-devices. Typical high-availability storage systems include a fault-tolerant redundant array of storage devices, such as disk drives. The invention may be implemented with one or more inactive (un-powered) drives physically installed in the storage system, but not part of the present fault-tolerant redundant array of disk drives. When a drive fails, one of the inactive drives is activated (powered-on) and it replaces the failed disk and becomes part of the present array. With the newly activated disk included, the data is reconstructed and the original fault-tolerance level is restored. Furthermore, the invention may be implemented so that it tracks the actual in-service time of the storage devices (such as disk drives).

Abstract: The invention enables plural computers to initiate operation of respective operating systems through use of a shared operating system kernel. A system embodying the invention includes a central storage unit (e.g. a disk drive) that includes an operating system kernel, and plural computers, each computer including memory for holding an initiation boot code that enables initial startup of the respective computer upon a power up or a reset. A channel communication link provides circuit connections between the central storage unit and each of the plural computers. Each of the plural computers responds to a power-up or reset action by initiating operation of respective ones of the boot codes. Each boot code, after initiating preliminary operations, performs an access of the operating system kernel from the central storage unit via the channel communication circuit so as to enable a high speed load of the kernel to the respective computer memories.