Abstract: A semiconductor memory of an integrated circuit has memory cells that are combined to form individually addressable normal units and redundant units for replacing normal units. The semiconductor memory has a selection circuit for selecting one of the redundant units. A non-volatile first memory unit for storing an address, which can be programmed by an energy beam, of a normal unit to be replaced is provided. A non-volatile second memory unit for storing an address, which can be programmed via electrical contact is also provided. The first and second memory units are connected to the selection circuit for transmitting their respective stored information to the selection circuit. A repair can thus be carried out on the unhoused semiconductor memory and on the housed semiconductor memory. Since only a sufficient portion of all the redundant circuits to be provided are configured in such a way, this allows a space requirement that is smaller overall.

Abstract: A redundant system (20) comprises a first unit (21), a second unit (22), and a synchronization server (24). The first unit (21) and a second unit (22) each include plural state machines (SMs) for performing tasks. At least some of the state machines provided at the first unit simultaneously perform same tasks as at least corresponding ones of some of the state machines provided at the second unit. When a state machine of the second unit needs to be resynchronized, the synchronization server (24) receives a resynchronization request (2-1) from the resync requesting state machine of the second unit and thereupon provides an out-of-synchronization indication (2-2) to a corresponding state machine of the first unit. In response to the out-of-synchronization indication (2-2) from the synchronization server, the corresponding state machine of the first unit generates a resynchronization request (2-3) at an time deemed appropriate by the corresponding state machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for assigning data chunks to column parity sets in a dual-drive fault tolerant storage disk drive system having N disk drives, where N is a prime number. Each of the N disk drives are organized into N chunks such that the N disk drives are configured as one or more N×N array of chunks. The array has chunks arranged in N rows from row 1 to row N and in N columns from column 1 to column N. Each row includes a plurality of data chunks for storing data, a column parity chunk for storing a column parity set, and a row parity chunk for storing a row parity set. These data chunks are assigned in a predetermined order. The data chunks in each row are assigned to the row parity set. Each column parity set is associated with a set of data chunks in the array, wherein row m is associated with column parity set Qm where m is an integer that ranges from 1 to N.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for testing the operability of a Peer to Peer Remote Copy (PPRC) data storage system in disaster situations. A PPRC data storage system includes a host processor, a primary storage subsystem and a secondary storage subsystem where the secondary storage subsystem is coupled to the primary storage subsystem for mirroring of data therebetween. A command is sent from the host processor directing the primary storage subsystem to simulate a disaster. Upon detection of the disaster, the host establishes direct communication with the secondary storage subsystem, and validates the integrity of the system by comparing data from the secondary storage subsystem to data from the primary storage subsystem.

Abstract: A method for managing a computer system includes initiating a reset of the computer system from a remote location. Diagnostic software on the computer system is downloaded from the remote location.

Abstract: A remote diagnosis system includes a central computer system that receives user data related to a user request and deals with the user request data, and at least one kind of image-forming apparatus connected to the central computer system. Each image-forming apparatus has a user request data input device, through which data related to a user request is optionally input, and a user request data transmitting device that transmits the user request data to the central computer system. A data communication adapter collects the user request data from the at least one kind image forming apparatus and transmits the user request data to the central computer system. An interface interfaces the at least one kind of image-forming apparatus with the data communication adapter, and a public communication network connects the data communication adapter with the central computer system.

Abstract: The present invention, Layered Detection Architecture (“LDA”) is useful to enhance the detection of command control processing errors and also facilitate survivorship among properly functioning flight critical Core Processing Modules (“CPM”) while eliminating faulty CPM responsible for processing execution errors. LDA is contemplated for use with lock-step execution verification schemes and other result comparison command-processing error detection methods also implementing redundant independent processing units.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided for managing resources in a computing cluster. The managed resources include cluster nodes themselves, as well as sharable resources such as memory buffers and bandwidth credits that may be used by one or more nodes. Resource management includes detecting failures and possible failures by node software, node hardware, interconnects, and system area network switches and taking steps to compensate for failures and prevent problems such as uncoordinated access to a shared disk. Resource management also includes reallocating sharable resources in response to node failure, demands by application programs, or other events. Specific examples provided include failure detection by remote memory probes, emergency communication through a shared disk, and sharable resource allocation with minimal locking.

Abstract: A multi-port device analysis apparatus for analyzing the characteristic of a multi-port device having three or more input-output terminals. The multi-port device analysis apparatus is configured such that a test signal is sent from one port and an input signal is received by the other port. The apparatus includes a network analyzer for analyzing the characteristic of the multi-port device under test in vector values and a multi-port test set is connected to the ports of the network analyzer for converting the ports of the network analyzer to three or more ports. The multi-port device under test is connected to the multi-port test set without using a balance-unbalance converter to analyze the characteristic data of the device in vector values.

Abstract: A data storage facility provides a remote copy operation that copies data write updates from a primary data store to a remote site by identifying which bytes in a block update have changed and sending only the changed bytes from the primary data store to the remote site. An exclusive-OR (XOR) logic operation is used to identify the changed bytes by XOR'ing the original data block with the changed block. Data compression can then be used on the XOR data block to delete the unchanged bytes, and when the compressed block is sent to the remote site, only the unchanged bytes will be sent, thereby reducing the bandwidth needed between the primary store and the remote site.

Abstract: A cluster system is treated as a set of resource groups, each resource group including a highly available application and the resources upon which it depends. A resource group may have between 2 and M data processing systems, where M is small relative to the cluster size N of the total cluster. Configuration and status information for the resource group is fully replicated only on those data processing systems which are members of the resource group. In the event of failure of a data processing system within the cluster, only resource groups including the failed data processing system are affected. Each resource group having a quorum of its data processing systems available continues to provide services, allowing many applications within the cluster to continue functioning while the cluster is restored.

Abstract: A computer module removably coupled to a console for outputting video data, includes a host interface controller coupled to receive a console configuration signal from the console, a graphics accelerator, a television signal encoder coupled to the graphics accelerator for receiving video data and for outputting television signals, and a central processing unit coupled to the host interface controller, to the graphics accelerator, and to the television signal encoder, for processing the console configuration signal and for enabling the television signal encoder to output the television signals to the console.

Abstract: Efficient formal verification of a system model is obtained by performing a state reachability analysis of an unrestricted full system model that includes constraints selected by the tester for testing a given property, followed by an analysis that permits a reduction in the complexity of the tested system's model. The analysis involves determining variables of the system's model that do not change value in the course of the state reachability analysis, often because of the constraints imposed prior to performing the reachability analysis. The unchanging variables are replaced with constants, and those constants are propagated through the system model to simplify the state transition relations that define the system. The simplified system model is then applied to a verification tool to determine whether the liveness property is satisfied.

Abstract: A host bridge having a plurality of pre-defined registers used for injecting errors to a selected device so that other devices are not affected and normal systems operations can continue is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system of the present invention, device select lines from each device are brought into the host bridge individually for determining if an error is to be injected to a selected device. First, a register or a bit in a register in the host bridge is matched against an incoming bus operation for the type of bus operation, a load or a store, to inject the error upon. Next, a register having an initial or random value within the host bridge indicates which occurrence of the operation to inject the error. If the value of the register indicates that an error is to be injected, the load or store operation is delayed by forcing zero byte enables until the device identifier of the selected device may be checked against a device register within the host bridge.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a logo display device for a computer and the method thereof which allows a user to optionally select and display a logo image of a system's basic input output system (BIOS). The present invention comprises: an image exchange tool for changing numerous graphic images made by a user into logo images, respectively; a storage medium for storing the numerous logo images changed by means of the image exchange tool; a basic input output system read only memory (BIOS ROM) for storing default logo images; a logo image selection unit for enabling a user to optionally select a logo image among the logo images stored in the read only memory (ROM) and the storage medium; and a display unit for displaying the logo image selected optionally by the user.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for correcting protocol errors in computer networking software. More particularly, an apparatus and methods are provided for correcting a class of protocol errors that is compatible with the protocol suite being used in computer networking software. The present invention performs inband protocol correction in a single phase or in multiple phases, according to some specific embodiments.

Abstract: A method of autonomously configuring peer devices without unnecessary delay in boot up time using a compatibility bridge. Upon initiating a configuration cycle, the compatibility bridge monitors the status of the configuration cycle on the host bus. The compatibility bridge determines whether and when to forward the configuration cycle to another bus, e.g., a PCI bus. The method records the presence or absence of a particular device by setting a respective bit in a scorecard register and scorecard valid register.

Abstract: A synchronous bus system that enables the bus lengths between devices to be extended such that the timing budget is more than one clock cycle. A reset process resets the transmission and reception circuitry and both circuitry function according to prespecified parameters relative to the deassertion of the reset signal such that the amount of logic required to latch and sample the data is minimized. As the timing budget is not limited to one clock cycle, devices can be spaced further apart providing more physical space for devices. Furthermore, skew sensitivity is reduced as the skew is distributed over multiple clock periods.

Abstract: Described is a computer system which can automatically provide its capabilities to a main computer without powering on to facilitate configuring the system in its shipping package. The computer system is coupled to a remote computer via a data communication link. The system includes a communication subsystem which is supplied with auxiliary power and is operative to detect when a valid communication link is established between the computer system and the main computer. After the detection the communication subsystem sends a first packet to the main computer via the communication subsystem. The first packet includes data which specifically identifies the computer system. When the communication link is coupled to the communication subsystem through the packaging and a power source is coupled to a power connector of the system through the packaging, the system is operative to send the first packet without powering on.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for controlling lots' dispatch of tool groups, and all the lots can be transferred to correct places for further processing. The lots are transferred to the storage places of the tool when there is only a single tool for the next process. A decision step is performed for deciding whether the storage places of the next tool group and the next-next tool group overlap when the next process contains a tool group. If there are overlapped storage places, then the lots will be moved to the overlapped storage place having minimum loading. When there is no overlapped storage place, the lots will be dispatched to the storage place having minimum loading among the next tool group. All the lots can be processed with at minimum moving steps, and all the tools perform their processes under balance loading whenever the productions increase or decrease.