Patents by Inventor David R. Willoughby

David R. Willoughby 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).

  • Patent number: 10754660
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for remotely providing local server boot capabilities are provided. Aspects include receiving a command to boot a specified server of a plurality of servers by a rack level server boot device from remote user device. Aspects also include identifying a target emulated hard drive of a plurality of emulated hard drives of the rack level server boot device. The target emulated hard drive may be associated with a port of a plurality of ports of the rack level server that is connected to the specified server. Aspects also include selecting a specified OS boot image of one or more OS boot images stored by a memory of the rack level server boot device. Aspects further include causing the specified server to boot from the target emulated hard drive using the specified OS boot image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: David R. Willoughby
  • Publication number: 20200117472
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for remotely providing local server boot capabilities are provided. Aspects include receiving a command to boot a specified server of a plurality of servers by a rack level server boot device from remote user device. Aspects also include identifying a target emulated hard drive of a plurality of emulated hard drives of the rack level server boot device. The target emulated hard drive may be associated with a port of a plurality of ports of the rack level server that is connected to the specified server. Aspects also include selecting a specified OS boot image of one or more OS boot images stored by a memory of the rack level server boot device. Aspects further include causing the specified server to boot from the target emulated hard drive using the specified OS boot image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventor: David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 7877643
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product in a logical partitioned data processing system are disclosed for providing a host bridge that implements extended error handling (EEH). If all devices coupled to the host bridge implement EEH, the host bridge is initialized to operate in EEH mode. In EEH mode, the devices handle any error that occurs within the devices without reporting the error to the host bridge. All partitions that share the host bridge continue to operate without being terminated while the devices are handling the error. If at least one device does not implement EEH, the host bridge is initialized to operate in non-EEH mode. In non-EEH mode, a machine check is generated by the host bridge when an error occurs within one of the devices resulting in the termination of all partitions that share the host bridge in response to a receipt of the machine check.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ashwini Kulkarni, Douglas Wayne Oliver, Steven Vongvibool, David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 7480911
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing a set of processors. In response to a request to deallocate a processor assigned to a partition within the logical partitioned data processing system, the processor in the set of processors, is stopped. In response to stopping the processor, the processor is placed in an isolated state in which the processor is isolated from the partition. The processor is then placed in a pool of resources for later reassignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Van Hoa Lee, David R. Willoughby
  • Publication number: 20080250268
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product in a logical partitioned data processing system are disclosed for providing a host bridge that implements extended error handling (EEH). If all devices coupled to the host bridge implement EEH, the host bridge is initialized to operate in EEH mode. In EEH mode, the devices handle any error that occurs within the devices without reporting the error to the host bridge. All partitions that share the host bridge continue to operate without being terminated while the devices are handling the error. If at least one device does not implement EEH, the host bridge is initialized to operate in non-EEH mode. In non-EEH mode, a machine check is generated by the host bridge when an error occurs within one of the devices resulting in the termination of all partitions that share the host bridge in response to a receipt of the machine check.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ashwini Kulkarni, Douglas Wayne Oliver, Steven Vongvibool, David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 7430691
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product in a logical partitioned data processing system are disclosed for providing a host bridge that implements extended error handling (EEH). If all devices coupled to the host bridge implement EEH, the host bridge is initialized to operate in EEH mode. In EEH mode, the devices handle any error that occurs within the devices without reporting the error to the host bridge. All partitions that share the host bridge continue to operate without being terminated while the devices are handling the error. If at least one device does not implement EEH, the host bridge is initialized to operate in non-EEH mode. In non-EEH mode, a machine check is generated by the host bridge when an error occurs within one of the devices resulting in the termination of all partitions that share the host bridge in response to a receipt of the machine check.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ashwini Kulkarni, Douglas Wayne Oliver, Steven Vongvibool, David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 7146515
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are disclosed for executing a reliable warm reboot of one of multiple partitions included in a logically partitioned data processing system. The data processing system includes partition hardware. A request to reboot a particular partition is received within the partition where the particular partition includes multiple processors. Prior to executing the reboot request, the partition hardware is set to a predetermined state. The reboot request is then executed within the particular partition. The predetermined state is preferably achieved by resetting the partition hardware to a predetermined state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley Ryan Harrington, Chetan Mehta, Milton Devon Miller, II, Michael Anthony Perez, David Lee Randall, David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 7117385
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for recovering terminated partitions in a logical partitioned data processing system. A termination of a partition in a set of partitions associated with a host bridge in the logical partitioned data processing system is detected. The state of other partitions within the set of partitions is checked in response to detecting the termination. A recovery process is initiated if all partitions in the set of partitions have terminated. Input/output slots associated with the host bridge are reset to a normal state if the recovery process is successful. The set of partitions is rebooted after resetting the input/output slots associated with the host bridge without rebooting the logical partitioned data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shaival J. Chokshi, Ashwini Kulkarni, Van Hoa Lee, David Lee Randall, Thi Ngoc Tran, David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 7107495
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for improving isolation of I/O errors in logical partitioned data processing systems. A machine check is generated that indicates that an I/O error has occurred in the system. The PCI host bridge (PHB) that generated the machine check is identified. The system includes multiple PHBs, each with its own set of slots. Some of these slots may be enabled for enhanced error handling while others of them are not. The adapters that are not enabled for enhanced error handling and that are coupled to the PHB that generated the machine check are identified. It is then determined that the I/O error occurred in at least one of these slots that are not enabled for enhanced error handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alongkorn Kitamorn, Ashwini Kulkarni, Michael Anthony Perez, David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 7085856
    Abstract: A means and system of describing rules for performance and availability for a system with respect to individual adapter cards and I/O drawers. It describes a means of scoring system configurations by how well they conform to the defined rules. It also describes a means of scoring the relative value of the placement of individual cards and I/O slots. It then defines a means of placing I/O cards into I/O slots for a defined number of I/O drawers following the rules and achieving the best individual scores for cards and slots. It also optimizes the placement to achieve the best possible system score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel James Henderson, Michael S. Stys, David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 7065761
    Abstract: A logical partition (LPAR) computer system for managing partition configuration data is disclosed, which includes a nonvolatile memory, and a plurality of logical partitions, each running independently from the other logical partitions. The system also includes a console coupled to the computer system for accepting logical partition configuration data input by an operator. The configuration data entered by the operator specifies the processors, I/O, and memory allocated to each logical partition defined for the system. The system further includes a set of tables maintained in the nonvolatile memory for storing the logical partition configuration data, such that the logical partition configuration data is persistent across system power cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Kimberlin Foster, Van Hoa Lee, Timothy Albert Smith, David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 7055071
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing error logs. A request is received from a partition within a plurality of partitions in the logical partitioned data processing system to access error information. A determination is made as to whether the error information is located in a buffer. The error information is retrieved from a non-volatile memory in response to the error information being absent in the buffer. The retrieved error information retrieved from the non-volatile memory is stored in the buffer. This error information is stored in the buffer only for a selected period of time. After that period of time, this error information is deleted or removed from the buffer. In this manner, outdated error information is not returned to the plurality of partitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Harry Austen, Alongkorn Kitamorn, Douglas Wayne Oliver, David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 7039692
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for managing a set of objects for a plurality of terminals. The set of objects are stored in a memory, such as a nonvolatile random access memory in a data processing system. The set of objects are used to configure logical partitions within the data processing system. Access to the set of objects is provided to the plurality of terminals through a service processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Kimberlin Foster, Walter Manfred Lipp, Charles Andrew McLaughlin, David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 6971002
    Abstract: A method, system, and product within a logically partitioned computer system including multiple, different partitions are disclosed for booting a partition using one of multiple, different firmware images. These multiple, different firmware images are stored in the computer system. One of the partitions is rebooted utilizing one of the firmware images without rebooting other ones of the partitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Harry Austen, Van Hoa Lee, David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 6961785
    Abstract: A system for managing input/output drawers within a data processing system. A unique identifier is assigned to each of a plurality of drawers, and is used by the operating system to identify the drawers in the system regardless of how these drawers are interconnected. Another unique PCI-bridge identifier is assigned to each of a plurality of PCI Host bridges (PHBs) from all drawers, and is used by the operating system to perform input/output processes to devices associated with the plurality of PHBs such that the ODM object for each of the PHBs remains the same regardless of how the drawer is interconnected in the system. When a new drawer is added to the system, a new unique identifier is assigned to the new drawer ensuring that the unique identifiers previously assigned to the other drawers are not used to identify the new drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Louis Arndt, Tam D. Bui, Van Hoa Lee, David Lee Randall, Kiet Anh Tran, David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 6950978
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for processing and recovering from soft errors in computer array with a parity error checking design in a data processing system. In response to an occurrence of a parity error, processor status information is stored to form stored processor information. A determination is made as to whether the parity error is a recoverable parity error using the stored processor information. In response to the parity error being a recoverable parity error, a recovery action is performed. The specific action taken varies depending on the type of error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Louis Arndt, Alongkorn Kitamorn, Edward John Silha, Scott Douglas Walton, David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 6941436
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing memory blocks. In response to a request to deallocate a memory block from a partition, all processes are prevented from using the memory block. The memory block is isolated from the partition in response to preventing use of the memory block. The memory block is deallocated to form a free memory block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Van Hoa Lee, David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 6938114
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for providing a plurality of terminals access to a service processor located within the data processing system. A first indication is returned if the service processor is unlocked in response to receiving a request from a terminal to provide a terminal within the plurality of terminals sole access to access the service processor. The service processor is locked to provide the terminal sole access to service processor in response to receiving a request to provide a terminal sole access to access the service processor. In response to receiving a request to provide a terminal sole access to access the service processor, a second indication is returned if the service processor is locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Kimberlin Foster, Casey Lee McCreary, Charles Andrew McLaughlin, David R. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 6901537
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for halting input/output error propagation in the logically partitioned data processing system. All components associated with the bridge are identified to form a set of failed components in response to detecting an error state in a bridge within a set of bridges in the logical partitioned data processing system. An identification of the failed components is stored in which the identification is used by each partition during a boot process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: George John Dawkins, Mark Elliott Hack, Ashwini Kulkarni, Gordon D. McIntosh, Kanisha Patel, David Lee Randall, David R. Willoughby
  • Publication number: 20040260857
    Abstract: A means and system of describing rules for performance and availability for a system with respect to individual adapter cards and I/O drawers. It describes a means of scoring system configurations by how well they conform to the defined rules. It also describes a means of scoring the relative value of the placement of individual cards and I/O slots. It then defines a means of placing I/O cards into I/O slots for a defined number of I/O drawers following the rules and achieving the best individual scores for cards and slots. It also optimizes the placement to achieve the best possible system score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel James Henderson, Michael S. Stys, David R. Willoughby