Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method of providing security for remote command execution. Remote command execution is a process where a local host processor causes a program to be executed on a remote host processor. The method of security provides for dynamically adapting the security methods in a distributed computing environment communicating using remote procedure calls (RPCs) across a network. The method includes the step of sensing if DCE security or a default security method is to be utilized.

Abstract: In problem situations of a computer controlling a process, such as transmission of calls, it is very important to direct the maintenance operations in the correct manner at the correct places as rapidly as possible. In the fault data collection method according to the invention, fault data is collected selectively by using empirical data about what type of information is useful in solving problems. Data (P10A-40A) about each process family is searched for from the list of process families PL in the data area (DA) of the computer's operating system. By means of the first process (P10) of the process family, data is obtained about the other processes (P11-P14) of the family. The data structures (PA) of the processes (P10-P14) provide data about the memory resources reserved by the process, time supervision, etc. By comparing the content of the data structures (PA) to the empirical base values, data structures (PA) are copied to the storage area (SA) from the process that are to be examined in greater detail.

Abstract: A client computer, a first server computer, and a second server computer are connected via a network. The client computer executes a transaction process with the first server computer at the normal time. When a fault occurring in the first server computer is detected, first, the client computer requests a connection to the first server computer. When the connection to the first server computer is failed, the client computer requests a connection to the second server computer. When the connection is established, a transaction process is started by the client computer and the second server computer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus enabling dissimilar devices to exchange information over a computer network stores a database of permissible sending and receiving devices at a verification server. A first device generates a request send authorization signel, which is compared at the server to the stored database and, in the event of a correspondence, a send authorization signel is generated by the server. Before a complete exchange may occur, however, a request receive authorization signal is generated at the second device in response to receiving the communication signal from the first device. The request receive authorization signal is compared to the database at the server and, in the event of a correspondence, a receive authorization signal is generated by the server, causing the second device to receive the message from the first device.

Abstract: A computer may have a management bus installed, where the management bus is coupled to sensors which monitor status of components of the computer. The management bus may also be coupled to a management bus processor, where the management bus processor receives status information from the management bus concerning status of components of the computer. An interface between the management bus and the network subsystem permits transmission of an error message in the event that the computer has a failure which inactivates the system CPU, the system bus, the system memory, or the system power supply.

Abstract: A method and system for providing security for a computing device include resolving conflicts between a password-protected screen saver and communication notification capabilities by selectively enabling access to specific communications when the computing device is in a locked mode. The screen saver of the computing device is configured to switch the device from a normal operative mode to a locked mode in response to detection of a preset condition, such as the expiration of an idle-time timer. The computing device then remains in the locked mode until a preset authorization condition is recognized, e.g., entering a password. However, with the computing device in the locked mode, a subset of communication access capabilities is enabled. Specifically, notification of incoming communications is enabled. Preferably, connectivity for select types of outgoing calls is also enabled, e.g., connectivity for emergency calls.

Abstract: The invention, that relates to a machine diagnosis system for the state-oriented operation monitoring of a machine, comprises a characteristic value module and a cause module. The characteristic value module, proceeding from machine-state referred measurement values, establishes diagnosis-relevant characteristic values, and the cause module diagnoses from the characteristic values a cause for the detected measurement values. There the cause module calculates for at least one possible cause in each case a cause probability which indicates with what probability the corresponding cause is responsible for the presence of the detected oscillation measurement values.

Abstract: A system and method for reporting, directly to a customer, conditions of telecommunications services to which the customer subscribes. The system includes a server for collecting fault information from the telecommunications network management system and a customer workstation for viewing the information. The customer can use the workstation to define a view of the data he wishes to receive. The server builds reports using the view, and provides the reports to the customer.

Abstract: A method for fault tolerant execution of an application program, in a server network having a first and second server, wherein the method includes: executing the application program in the first server; storing an object which represents the program in a cluster network database, wherein the object contains information pertaining to the program; detecting a failure of the first server; and executing the application program in the second server upon detection of the failure of the first server, in accordance with the information in the object. The information may include: a host server attribute which identifies which server is currently executing the program; a primary server attribute which identifies which server is primarily responsible for executing the program; and a backup server attribute which identifies which server is a backup server for executing the program if the primary server experiences a failure.

Abstract: A digital bus monitor used to observe data on a bus (14, 16, 18) connecting multiple integrated circuits (10, 12) comprises a memory buffer (30), bypass register (34), test port (38) and output control circuits (42, 46) controlled by an event qualifying module (EQM) (32). In response to a matching condition the EQM (32) may perform a variety of tests on incoming data while the integrated circuits (10, 12) continue to operate at speed. A plurality of digital bus monitors (20, 22) may be cascaded for observation and test of variable width data buses and variable width signature analysis.

Abstract: A recovery method for use in a data storage system in which a plurality of data storage devices are connected to each of two communication paths. A switch may route requests to either of the two communication paths. With one data storage controller in communication with the data storage devices over a first path and a second data storage controller in communication with the data storage devices over a second path, upon detection of a malfunction on the first path, a data storage controller may request access to the other path. Thereafter, the controller may be switched into connection with the remaining operable path so as to share that path with the other controller.

Abstract: Method for computing all-terminal reliability for arbitrarily interconnected networks such as the United States public switched telephone network. The method includes an efficient search algorithm to generate minimal cut sets for nonhierarchical networks directly from the network connectivity diagram. Efficiency of the search algorithm stems in part from its basis on only link failures. The method also includes a novel quantification scheme that likewise reduces computational effort associated with assessing network reliability based on traditional risk importance measures. Vast reductions in computational effort are realized since combinatorial expansion and subsequent Boolean reduction steps are eliminated through analysis of network segmentations using a technique of assuming node failures to occur on only one side of a break in the network, and repeating the technique for all minimal cut sets generated with the search algorithm. The method functions equally well for planar and non-planar networks.

Abstract: Transactions sent from a source node to a destination node interconnected by a distributed network are protected from interception by a third party by passing the transaction data into several packets which are renumbered as a pseudo-random sequence and sent along different routes from the source node to the destination node.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting an over-programming condition in a multistate memory cell. The invention is also directed to identifying the over-programmed cells and providing an alternate location at which to write the data intended for the over-programmed cell. An over-programmed state detection circuit generates an error signal when the data contained in a multistate memory cell is found to be over-programmed relative to its intended programming (threshold voltage level) state. Upon detection of an over-programmed cell, the programming operation of the memory system is modified to discontinue further programming attempts on the cell. The over-programmed state detection circuit is also used to assist in correcting for the over-programming state, permitting the programming error to be compensated for by the memory system.

Abstract: Provides management tools for a System Owner to assure that a personal computer system is secured against access by an unauthorized user by foreclosing the possibility of circumventing a system's security protection during an adapter ROM scan. If security function, such as that for C2 functionality, is enabled, prior to the adapter ROM Scan for the system, the POST code detects whether or not disabling of the keyboard during adapter ROM Scan is enabled. If enabled, the keyboard is disabled or locked prior to adapter ROM Scan. On some systems, the security function may not be used and, the system does not consider password protection for the adapter utilities. If however, the security functionality of the system is enabled, the POST code will continue to enable the password protection for the adapter ROM Scan. Once the input device, e.g., keyboard, is disabled the adapter ROM scan will begin. Upon completion of the adapter ROM scan, the input device will be enabled and progress will continue through POST.

Abstract: An information accessing method permits the user data belonging to a client-server system to be accessed by a user belonging to another client-server system under proper security and controls the permission for accessing the user data according to the security ranks of the user whose data is to be accessed and the user who wants to access the data. When a client unit issues a request for accessing the user data of the user belonging to the other client-server system, the request for access is sent to an ID conversion unit through a user ID management unit. The ID conversion unit operates to convert a user ID into a guest ID by referring to an ID conversion table, and then sends the request for access to a user ID management unit. The user ID management unit makes sure that the guest ID is registered by referring to the user ID table.

Abstract: Multiple approaches are used with a filter to handle naming ambiguities when requesting access to a plurality of network resources through a public network such as the Internet. One approach is to consider responses from the public network as well as requested URLs in determining whether to allow or deny resources. The response information used may include header information or the resource itself. If the header information includes a new URL, the new URL can be forwarded to the requester, or submitted to the public network. A permission database is queried to determine whether a resource corresponding to the new URL should be forwarded to the requestor. A checksum database can also be used to determine if a specific resource should be forwarded to the requestor. Another approach is to record and maintain a database of aliases for URLs. When a URL is requested, the alias URLs are determined for that URL.

Abstract: A method for calculating the remaining life of a semiconductor disk device including a step for calculating the number of sectors remained employable in the reserve area, a step for calculating the number of sectors which have been fully employed and the number of sectors which are under employment, the sectors being contained in the reserve area, a step for calculating a ratio of a sum of the number of sectors which have been fully employed and the number of sectors which are under employment and the number of sectors remained employable, and a step for calculating the remaining life of the semiconductor disk device employing the ratio.

Abstract: A self-checking circuit, which is useful for a highly reliable system configuration, includes a logic circuit having an error detection function. For function blocks for feeding out a plurality of signals that are at least duplexed, the logic circuit compares the output signals of the function blocks, and detects an error on the basis of results of the comparison. The logic circuit comprises synthesizing means provided to superimpose inherent waveforms assigned in advance to the respective output signals of the function blocks onto the output signals of one of the function blocks. The inherent waveforms are orthogonal waveforms generated by an orthogonal waveform generator circuit. The logic circuit also comprises comparison means for comparing a signal output of the synthesizing means with the signal output of the other function block to detect an error. The whole circuit including the function blocks are judged normal only if the waveforms inherent to both output signals exist.

Abstract: A system for providing information to memory within a local device is provided herein. The system initially receives information transmitted from a remote location and reads predetermined data, including start and end addresses, within the local device. The system computes a checksum based on information received from the remote location and the predetermined data and compares a predetermined checksum to the received information checksum. If the predetermined checksum does not equal the received information checksum, the system requests retransmission of information and repeats the preceding steps (receiving information, computing a checksum, and comparing) until the predetermined checksum equals the received information checksum. The system then provides the valid information to local device memory. The invention may execute a protocol to receive information packets and store the information packets in appropriate memory locations after receiving the information.