Abstract: A method for conducting a built in test on a system having a central processing unit (CPU), connected to one or more storage means, an input/output means and a plurality of assemblies PCI1, PCI2 . . . PCIN to be tested. A test initiator, generally a system wide operating system running on a system CPU, starts the test. Each of the assemblies to be tested has an identified and a test requirement, presented in a format common for, and applicable to, a plurality of central processing units and associated assemblies.

Abstract: System and method for logging significant events occurring at a web site portal includes a base class portlet service including a significant event catcher method having a register method and a record method, a portlet action table, and an action description table. The register method is called during portlet initialization to register one or more significant event descriptions to the action description table. The portlet, upon executing a significant event, calls the record method to record the event to the portlet action table.

Abstract: The present invention provides a breakpoint logic unit, debug logic and breakpoint method for a data processing apparatus. The breakpoint logic unit comprises a value storage operable to store data indicative of a selected value for an operational characteristic of the data processing apparatus, and comparator logic operable to compare the selected value with a value of the operational characteristic as generated by the data processing apparatus. The comparator logic then generates at least one result signal indicative of a match between that value and the selected value.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method and system for managing a distributed medical diagnostic imaging system. The system includes a system manager for managing the medical diagnostic imaging system, a subsystem that includes a subsystem manager for managing the subsystem and an actor, or task operator, capable of executing certain functions. The subsystem manager reports to the system manager. The system also includes a communication channel for transmitting data between the system manager and the subsystem. The system may include a plurality of subsystems with a plurality of actors or task operators. The components of the system may be configured and adjusted.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for deterministically killing one of redundant servers on a common network is disclosed. The apparatus includes a chassis that encloses the servers and a storage controller, status indicators generated by the servers to the storage controller, and kill controls, generated by the storage controller to respective ones of the servers, each for killing a respective one of the servers. The status indicators and kill controls are wholly enclosed in the chassis. The kill controls deterministically disable the killed server on the network independently of the state of the server to be killed. That is, the server does not need to be able to respond to a command to be disabled on the network. In one embodiment, the kill controls comprise reset signals. After the storage controller deterministically kills one of the servers, the other server takes over the identity of the killed server on the network.

Abstract: A memory modeling circuit with fault toleration includes a compare circuit, a control circuit and a test circuit. The compare circuit receives the data stored in the same address of memories and compares data with each other to produce the correct reading data. The control circuit connects with the control signals of the memories and detects that control signals. The control circuit has data output/input ports. When the control signal of the memories is to write, the control circuit enters a writing mode and writes the writing data received from the data output/input ports in the same address of the memories. When the control signal of the memories is to read, the control circuit enters a reading mode, receiving the reading data generated by the compare circuit and outputs it through the data output/input ports. The test circuit receives the data stored in the same address of the memories and the reading data generated by the compare circuit to generate a testing result.

Abstract: A method and system for restoring data redundancy in a storage system without a hot standby disk is disclosed. Instead of having a hot standby disk, reserve storage space is maintained in a plurality of data storage devices in the storage system. The reserve storage space comprises unallocated storage space in the plurality of data storage devices. Once a data storage device failure is detected, data redundancy is restored on the reserve storage space.

Abstract: A self-reparable semiconductor comprises first and second physical layer devices each including first and second subfunctional units that cooperate to provide first and second ports associated with a multi-bit Gigabit physical layer device. A first spare physical layer device includes first and second subfunctional units. The first sub-functional units are functionally interchangeable. The second sub-functional units are functionally interchangeable. Switching devices communicate with the first and second subfunctional units of the first, second and first spare physical layer devices and replace at least one of the first and second sub-functional units of at least one of the first and second physical layer devices with at least one of the first and second sub-functional units of the first spare physical layer device when the at least one of the first and second sub-functional units is non-operable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for diagnostics execution in which diagnostics code is stored in a designated partition on a removable nonvolatile memory device, such as a compact flash or a personal computer (PC) card that is interfaced with the motherboard of a file server system. The file server system firmware is programmed in such a manner that, upon receipt of a diagnostics command, a normal boot mechanism is interrupted, and a diagnostics boot is performed. The firmware is programmed to probe the removable nonvolatile memory device, and to load the diagnostics code contained thereon into main memory and to execute the diagnostics in response to an initiation by an operator's key sequence. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the data produced as a result of the diagnostics test sequence is captured and stored in a maintenance log in another partition on the compact flash that has been pre-assigned for that purpose.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the functionality of a dual opposing ISA/PCI bus alarm card of an industrial computer where the alarm card includes a microserver for communicating with web-enabled information on the host computer.

Abstract: A system for initiating a connection to a wireless network using a wireless modem, where the system maintains the connection to the wireless network when the wireless modem becomes idle. The system determines that there is a problem using the wireless modem by monitoring the status of the wireless modem. In response to a determination that there is a problem using the wireless modem, the system automatically cycles power to the wireless modem and again initiates a connection to the wireless network using the wireless modem. The system may be implemented by an apparatus having a power control device with a power outlet coupled to a wireless modem. The control device controls power to the power outlet according to received power control commands that are based on the status of the wireless modem.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic repair and replacement of computing machines are disclosed. The system may generally include a database including configuration information for the available replacement machines and a failed machine, a machine assignment module to assign a replacement machine based on a comparison of the configuration information for the failed machine and the available replacement machines, and a configuration module for generating configuration data for replacement of the failed machine with the replacement machine in the computer network. The machine assignment module may compare certain configuration parameters such as processor speed, disk drive size, and/or amount of RAM, between the failed machine and the available replacement machines. A replacement module may copy data from another copy of the failed machine in the computer network into the replacement machine. An installation module may install the configuration data in, e.g., dependent machines, and restart the dependent machines.

Abstract: A distributed computer system has a first main system and a second main system that execute applications in cooperation with human users. A service system is an expert system to evaluate problems in the main systems. The main systems have auxiliary systems with to evaluate problems in the main systems and to escalate problem evaluation to the service system. The service system provides expertise for customers 1 and 2 that operate the main system.

Abstract: Techniques for error handling are described for errors detected by a computer application that receives and processes application transaction data generated by a different computer application. A determination is made as to whether an error can be corrected through the use of the receiving computer application. If not, an indication of the error is sent to the computer application that generated the application transaction data so that the error may be corrected using that computer application. If the error can be corrected by using the receiving computer application, an error correction component stores information so that the error can be corrected through the use of the receiving computer application.

Abstract: A software tool which simplifies the monitoring of faults in an automation device. On a display device (FIG. 3), a rack (0?-3?) of this automation device with slots and functional modules is represented in a first view (4) in graphic form and in a second view (9) in tabular form. A faulty slot and/or a faulty functional module is displayed in some manner of highlighted form ((F), 10, 11, etc.).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, divide transactions performed by a program into groups, save data regarding duration times of the transactions in response to trace statements in the program, and determine a reliability of the groups of transactions based on the duration times and a number of failures of the transactions in the groups. The duration times are based on differences between start times and end times of the transactions, excluding differences between the suspend times and resume times of the transactions.

Abstract: This invention concerns a system for maintaining equipment (2a, 2b, 2c) housed in a vehicle (1). The equipment has means arranged so as to monitor the operation of the equipment, which monitoring means are connected to a recording unit (3) for recording detected operational deviations in the equipment. The system is further characterized in that, for at least one of the pieces of equipment (2a), the monitoring means (6) are arranged so as to monitor the execution of the software (7) incorporated in the equipment to detect occurrences of fault conditions and/or fault symptoms. The invention also includes a method for software maintenance.

Abstract: A self healing system in a RAID array to reduce the risk of loss of data on a disk drive caused by grown media defects on the disk drive. The grown media defects include radial and spiral scratches on the disk drive. When a first defect on a disk drive of the RAID array is located, the self healing system inspects adjacent areas around the first defect on the disk drive in order to immediately locate any additional defects which exist in adjacent areas around the first defect on the disk drive. The self healing system reconstructs the data associated with the first defect using parity, and then reconstructs the data associated with any additional defects using parity. This can be accomplished in the background to allow the host unimpeded access to customer data. As a result, the self healing system can eliminate a potential single point of failure when data is subsequently read from the RAID array.

Abstract: An error tolerant computer controlled system comprises several computers working redundantly and controlling actuators based on signals from sensors and input devices. Each data item emitted by each computer is simultaneously sent through differing communication paths to each actuator, such that in normal operation each actuator receives each data item through several paths. This system continues to function properly even in case of a failure without requiring any re-routing of the data items, which makes it easier to design, analyze and test and thereby increases its reliability.

Abstract: A method of executing a diagnosis program including multiple procedures wherein the diagnosis program does not specify an order in which the procedures are executed comprises receiving priority information specifying an order in which a plurality of automated diagnostic procedures is to be performed in a computer system. The plurality of automated diagnostic procedures is performed in the specified order, wherein each of the plurality of automated diagnostic procedures passes or fails depending on at least one condition in the computer system. The priority information is updated if more than one of the plurality of automated diagnostic procedures fail.