Patents by Inventor Peter Heffernan
Peter Heffernan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7987223Abstract: An information processing module includes a processor subsystem including a processor and memory. The information processing module is configured as a field replaceable unit blade server removably receivable in a carrier. Redundant external connections are provided for interconnection with the carrier. The external connections for carry information signals, management signals and power. The information processing module can be configured as a field replaceable blade server. The provision of a limited set of redundant connections provides for highly reliable interconnection between the information processing module and the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.Inventors: Paul J Garnett, James E King, Martin P Mayhead, Peter Heffernan
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Patent number: 7900090Abstract: Systems and methods (“utility”) for providing a computer system with a mechanism to record live data on a continuous basis which may be analyzed subsequent to a fault condition is provided. The utility uses the existing DRAM memory of a computer system as a retentive DRAM (RDRAM) device that may be used to store the data. To accomplish this, software and firmware is provided for continuously refreshing the DRAM memory across resets that are due to fault conditions. Further, non-maskable interrupts (NMI) are used to flag a variety of fault conditions to the computer system. To make the utility platform independent, a standardized power and configuration interface is used to implement a computer system reset that preserves the contents of the RDRAM.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.Inventors: Sanjay Agrawal, Thomas W. Simons, Peter Heffernan, Daniel J. Delfatti, Jr.
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Publication number: 20100211824Abstract: Systems and methods (“utility”) for providing a computer system with a mechanism to record live data on a continuous basis which may be analyzed subsequent to a fault condition is provided. The utility uses the existing DRAM memory of a computer system as a retentive DRAM (RDRAM) device that may be used to store the data. To accomplish this, software and firmware is provided for continuously refreshing the DRAM memory across resets that are due to fault conditions. Further, non-maskable interrupts (NMI) are used to flag a variety of fault conditions to the computer system. To make the utility platform independent, a standardized power and configuration interface is used to implement a computer system reset that preserves the contents of the RDRAM.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2009Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: SANJAY AGRAWAL, THOMAS W. SIMONS, PETER HEFFERNAN, DANIEL J. DELFATTI, JR.
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Patent number: 7289319Abstract: A server blade is provided which comprises a processor. The server blade additionally comprises an enclosure which encloses the processor. The server blade is configured as a field replaceable unit removably receivable in a carrier of a modular computer system, and is configured as an oversized unit to span more than one standard information processing module receiving location in the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Garnett, James E. King, Martin P. Mayhead, Peter Heffernan
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Patent number: 7245632Abstract: An information processing module, for example a server blade, has information connections and storage connections. A carrier, e.g., a rack mountable shelf, is configured to receive a number of information processing modules. A switch module is operable to connect a received information processing module to an external information network. The switch includes an external storage connection operable under an external storage channel format, e.g., Fiber Channel. A protocol converter converts between information packets comprising packet format storage data (e.g., iSCSI format) received from an information processing module and signals in the external storage channel format. Redundant connections are included to enhance reliability.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Peter Heffernan, Martin P. Mayhead, Paul J. Garnett, James E. King
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Patent number: 7224581Abstract: A carrier may be provided for a modular computer system. The carrier may have a plurality of receiving locations. Each receiving location may be configured removably to receive at least one information processing module, and may be further configured to receive a dividing member. The dividing member can be operable to divide the receiving location into a plurality of receiving sub-locations. Each receiving sub-location can be operable to receive at least one information processing module.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Garnett, Peter Heffernan
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Patent number: 7225276Abstract: A support module for a modular computer system can provide switching functions. Internal information signal interfaces can connect to information processing modules. First external information interfaces can connect to a first external information network under a first network protocol different to a network protocol used internally to the support module. A connector sub-module, receivable in the support module, includes a protocol translator for translating between information protocols.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Garnett, James E. King, Martin P. Mayhead, Peter Heffernan
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Patent number: 7193844Abstract: A server blade may be provided. The server blade may comprise a processor and storage. The server blade can further comprise an enclosure that encloses said processor and storage. The server blade can be configured as a field replaceable unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Garnett, James E. King, Martin P. Mayhead, Peter Heffernan
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Patent number: 7174375Abstract: A modular computer system (e.g., a server blade system) includes a carrier (e.g., a rack mountable shelf) carrying a plurality of removably mountable information processing modules (e.g., server blades). Each information processing module can include a processor operable to provide information processing functions and a service controller operable to provide monitoring and system management functions. The carrier and the information processing modules can be interconnected by separate information and service management paths so that system management signals can be communicated independently of information signals. A combined switch and service processor module can be provided in the carrier. The switch and the service processor can be interconnected via a communications link for controlled information passage between a management network and the information processing modules via an information path.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: James E King, Martin P Mayhead, Peter Heffernan
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Patent number: 7114994Abstract: A modular computer system includes at least one information processing module removably received at a first face of a housing, at least one computer support module removably received at a second face of the housing, at least one power supply module removably received at the second face of the housing, and a connections member. The connections member includes at least one connector at a first face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one information processing module. The connections member further includes at least one connector at a second face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one computer support module. The connections member also includes at least one connector at the second face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one power supply module.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2004Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Paul J Garnett, Peter Heffernan
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Patent number: 7079395Abstract: A server blade is provided which comprises a processor. The server blade additionally comprises an enclosure which encloses the processor. The server blade is configured as a field replaceable unit removably receivable in a carrier of a modular computer system, and is configured as an oversized unit to span more than one standard information processing module receiving location in the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Garnett, James E. King, Martin P. Mayhead, Peter Heffernan
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Patent number: 7062575Abstract: An information processing module forms a blade for a high density computer system. A processor is operable to perform information processing and an information signal interface is connected between the processor(s) and a module information signal connection. A service controller is operable to perform system management functions and is connected to a module management connection. Redundant sets of information and management signal connections can be provided. The information signal interface and the service controller provide a buffer between the processor of the information processing module and the remainder of the modular computer system enabling flexibility in the choice of processor and internal structure for the information processing module.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Paul J Garnett, James E King, Martin P Mayhead, Peter Heffernan
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Patent number: 7032037Abstract: A modular computer system may be provided. The modular computer system may comprise a carrier operable removably to receive a plurality of computer system modules therein. A plurality of information processing modules can be removably received in the carrier, each module may have a communications port operable to connect to a communications network internal to the carrier. The modular computer system may also comprise a switch operable to connect to the internal communications network to distribute information messages between the modules and to connect to an external communications network. An information distribution module may be provided removably received in the carrier operable connect to the internal communications network to receive an information message, to perform processing on the message to determine a destination, and to forward the message toward the determined destination via the internal communications network.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Garnett, James E. King, Martin P. Mayhead, Peter Heffernan, Ariel Hendel, Leo A. Hejza, Thomas E. Giles
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Patent number: 7012815Abstract: A rack mountable shelf is configured to support a plurality of field replaceable units in the form of server cartridges that each include at least one server processor. The rack mountable shelf is configured to provide communal services for said server cartridges, including at least one of supplying DC operating power to the server cartridges, distributing information signals between the server cartridges and processing system management signals for the server cartridges. Each of the server cartridges can be slideably received in a respective one of a series of server cartridge receiving locations arrayed side by side along the front of the shelf. The server cartridges can be configured as thin blades to provide a high server density. For example, 16 server cartridge receiving locations can be provided across the front of the shelf. The supply of DC operating power to the server cartridges can be provided by one or more field replaceable power supply units (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Garnett, James E. King, Martin P. Mayhead, Peter Heffernan, Nigel Ritson
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Patent number: 6980427Abstract: A server blade may comprise a processor. The server blade may additionally comprise a removable media interface device. The server blade can be configured as a field replaceable unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Garnett, James E. King, Martin P. Mayhead, Peter Heffernan
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Patent number: 6968378Abstract: A processing unit is connectable to a communications network. The processing unit has a data carrier reader operable to read a network identity from a portable data carrier. The processing unit is operable on being powered up to check for the presence of a said data carrier, and when a data carrier is present to use the network identity from the data carrier for communicating via the network. The data carrier can be in the form of a card having readable storage, for example a portable storage device having a readable semiconductor memory of a type know, for example, as a smart card, or memory card. The processing unit may be arranged to use only the network address read from the data carrier, and, in the absence of such a data carrier to prevent access to the network. Access to the network can be achieved by aborting the power up of the processing unit. The processing unit may therefore access the network only when the network address is present in the carrier reader when the processing unit is powered up.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Peter Heffernan, James E. King, Rhod J. Jones, Robert Littlewood
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Patent number: 6928491Abstract: A processing unit connectable to a data communications network has a data carrier reader operable to read a network address from a hand insertable data carrier, wherein the processing unit is operable to use the network address from the data carrier for communicating via the data communications network. A processing unit forming part of a computer system may be readily replaced by a replacement processing unit, and arranged to continue communicating via the communications network, by using the same network address as the original processing unit read from the data carrier. The data carrier may be a Smart card or the like. A method of operating a computer system may therefore comprise connecting the processing unit to a communications network, loading a data carrier into the data carrier reader, arranging for the network address to be read from the data carrier, and arranging for the processing unit to use the network address read from the data carrier to communicate via the network.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2001Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventor: Peter Heffernan
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Patent number: 6869314Abstract: In a modular computer system comprising at least one information processing module removably received at a first face of a housing, at least one computer support module removably received at a second face of the housing, and at least one power supply module removably received at the second face of the housing, a connections member is provided. The connections member comprises at least one connector at a first face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one information processing module. The connections member further comprises at least one connector at a second face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one computer support module. The connections member also comprises at least one connector at the second face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one power supply module.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Paul J Garnett, Peter Heffernan
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Publication number: 20040209493Abstract: In a modular computer system comprising at least one information processing module removably received at a first face of a housing, at least one computer support module removably received at a second face of the housing, and at least one power supply module removably received at the second face of the housing, a connections member is provided. The connections member comprises at least one connector at a first face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one information processing module. The connections member further comprises at least one connector at a second face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one computer support module. The connections member also comprises at least one connector at the second face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one power supply module.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2004Publication date: October 21, 2004Applicant: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Garnett, Peter Heffernan
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Publication number: 20040196727Abstract: A rack mountable shelf supports a plurality of field replaceable units (FRUS) in the form of server cartridges, or blades, that each include a processor and a memory within an enclosure. The rack mountable shelf is configured to provide communal services for said server cartridges, including at least one of supplying DC operating power to the server cartridges, distributing information signals between the server cartridges and processing system management signals for the server cartridges. The communal services can also be provided by FRUs, for example with redundant power supply units and redundant combined switch/service processor units. A midplane within the shelf enables interconnection of the FRUs.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Paul J. Garnett, James E. King, Martin P. Mayhead, Peter Heffernan, Nigel Ritson