Patents by Inventor John M. Borkenhagen

John M. Borkenhagen 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: 10031820
    Abstract: Systems and methods to mirror data and otherwise manage memory are provided. A buffer may be coupled to a processor and be configured to write a first copy of data to a first memory located at a first server computer and a second copy of the data to a second memory that is accessible to both the first server computer and a second server computer. The buffer may be coupled directly to at least one of the first memory and the second memory via a memory bus, copper cable, or an optical cable. The buffer may write the first and the second copies of the data concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: John M. Borkenhagen
  • Patent number: 9851996
    Abstract: A method includes running a scale-up hypervisor on a server complex including at least one server and running a single operating system and at least one application on top of the scale-up hypervisor. The method further includes identifying a firmware update available for a first hardware component within the server complex. The scale-up hypervisor removes all workload from the first hardware component, and the identified firmware update is applied to the first hardware component while the first hardware component is idle and the hypervisor continues running the single operating system and the at least one application. Preferably, the method may be used to sequentially apply firmware updates to various hardware components across the plurality of servers without ever shutting down the entire plurality of servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumeet Kochar, Randolph S. Kolvick, John M. Borkenhagen
  • Patent number: 9817735
    Abstract: Hardware component repair in a computing system while workload continues to execute on the computing system includes receiving an indication that an operational parameter of a first hardware resource of said computing system does not meet operational acceptability criteria; migrating workload of the computing system from said first hardware resource to a second hardware resource within the computing system; and halting operation of said first hardware resource for repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: John M. Borkenhagen, Sumeet Kochar, Randolph S. Kolvick
  • Publication number: 20170046236
    Abstract: Hardware component repair in a computing system while workload continues to execute on the computing system includes receiving an indication that an operational parameter of a first hardware resource of said computing system does not meet operational acceptability criteria; migrating workload of the computing system from said first hardware resource to a second hardware resource within the computing system; and halting operation of said first hardware resource for repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: JOHN M. BORKENHAGEN, SUMEET KOCHAR, RANDOLPH S. KOLVICK
  • Patent number: 9460049
    Abstract: Symmetric multi-processor (SMP) nodes are dynamically configured via SMP sockets that use SMP optically-connected switches to dynamically connect SMP optically-connected links connected to the SMP nodes to form SMP domains based on best matched expected workloads for coherent traffic for exchanging SMP coherent information. The SMP nodes are dynamically added to one of the SMP domains and/or dynamically removed from one of the SMP domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: John M. Borkenhagen, James S. Fields, Jr., Eugen Schenfeld
  • Publication number: 20160283221
    Abstract: A method includes running a scale-up hypervisor on a server complex including at least one server and running a single operating system and at least one application on top of the scale-up hypervisor. The method further includes identifying a firmware update available for a first hardware component within the server complex. The scale-up hypervisor removes all workload from the first hardware component, and the identified firmware update is applied to the first hardware component while the first hardware component is idle and the hypervisor continues running the single operating system and the at least one application. Preferably, the method may be used to sequentially apply firmware updates to various hardware components across the plurality of servers without ever shutting down the entire plurality of servers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Sumeet Kochar, Randolph S. Kolvick, John M. Borkenhagen
  • Patent number: 9338528
    Abstract: Reflecting optical devices are optimally positioned by an all optical switch in an optically-connected system by transmitting optical power readings taken from an optimal monitoring module that are transmitted to the all optical switch for optimal positioning of a reflecting optical device in order to produce maximum optical output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: John M. Borkenhagen, Eugen Schenfeld, Mark Z. Solomon
  • Patent number: 8948000
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a midplane, one or more server cards, switch modules and a management controller. The midplane may include a fabric interconnect for a switch fabric. The one or more server cards and the switch modules may be operatively connected to the midplane. The switch modules may be configured to switch network traffic for the one or more server cards. The management controller may be configured to manage the switch modules via the fabric interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: William J. Armstrong, John M. Borkenhagen, Martin J. Crippen, Dhruv M. Desai, David R. Engebretsen, Philip R. Hillier, III, William G. Holland, James E. Hughes, James A. O'Connor, Pravin S. Patel, Steven M. Tri
  • Publication number: 20150026432
    Abstract: Symmetric multi-processor (SMP) nodes are dynamically configured via SMP sockets that use SMP optically-connected switches to dynamically connect SMP optically-connected links connected to the SMP nodes to form SMP domains based on best matched expected workloads for coherent traffic for exchanging SMP coherent information. The SMP nodes are dynamically added to one of the SMP domains and/or dynamically removed from one of the SMP domains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: John M. BORKENHAGEN, James S. FIELDS, JR., Eugen SCHENFELD
  • Publication number: 20150023661
    Abstract: Reflecting optical devices are optimally positioned by an all optical switch in an optically-connected system by transmitting optical power readings taken from an optimal monitoring module that are transmitted to the all optical switch for optimal positioning of a reflecting optical device in order to produce maximum optical output power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: John M. BORKENHAGEN, Eugen SCHENFELD, Mark Z. SOLOMON
  • Patent number: 8880938
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing impact of a repair action in a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a first interposer card that operatively connects one or more server cards to a midplane. The first interposer card may include a switch module that switches network traffic for the one or more server cards. The first interposer card may be hot-swappable from the midplane, and the one or more server cards may be hot-swappable from the first interposer card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Armstrong, John M. Borkenhagen, Martin J. Crippen, Dhruv M. Desai, David R. Engebretsen, Philip R. Hillier, III, William G. Hollan, James E. Hughes, Bradley D. McCredie, James A. O'Connor, Steven M. Tri
  • Patent number: 8880937
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing impact of a repair action in a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a first interposer card that operatively connects one or more server cards to a midplane. The first interposer card may include a switch module that switches network traffic for the one or more server cards. The first interposer card may be hot-swappable from the midplane, and the one or more server cards may be hot-swappable from the first interposer card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Armstrong, John M. Borkenhagen, Martin J. Crippen, Dhruv M. Desai, David R. Engebretsen, Philip R. Hillier, III, William G. Holland, James E. Hughes, Bradley D. McCredie, James A. O'Connor, Steven M. Tri
  • Patent number: 8874955
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing impact of a switch failure in a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a midplane, one or more server cards and one or more switch cards. The midplane may include a fabric interconnect for a switch fabric. The one or more server cards may be coupled with the midplane, where each server card is hot-swappable from the midplane. The one or more switch cards may also be coupled with the midplane, where each switch card is also hot-swappable from the midplane. Each switch card includes one or more switch modules, and each switch module is configured to switch network traffic for at least one server card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Armstrong, John M. Borkenhagen, Martin J. Crippen, Dhruv M. Desai, David R. Engebretsen, Philip R. Hillier, III, William G. Holland, James E. Hughes, James A. O'Connor, Steven M. Tri
  • Patent number: 8819677
    Abstract: A system includes a processor providing hardware virtualization, and a memory to store a first virtual machine data structure corresponding to a first nested virtualization level and a second virtual machine data structure corresponding to a second nested virtualization level. The virtual machine data structures assist management of the hardware virtualization provided by the processor. The system includes a first nested virtual machine located within the first nested virtualization level and a second nested virtual machine located within the second nested virtualization level. The system includes hypervisors to manage the nested virtual machines using the virtual machine data structures. A root hypervisor is to manage the first nested virtual machine using the first virtual machine data structure. A first nested virtualization level hypervisor is to run within the first nested virtual machine and is to manage the second nested virtual machine using the second virtual machine data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Day, II, Anthony N. Liguori, Ryan A. Harper, John M. Borkenhagen
  • Patent number: 8788748
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for implementing enhanced memory performance management with configurable bandwidth versus power usage in a chip stack of memory chips. A chip stack of memory chips is connected in a predefined density to allow a predefined high bandwidth connection between each chip in the stack, such as with through silicon via (TSV) interconnections. Large-bandwidth data transfers are enabled from the memory chip stack by trading off increased power usage for memory performance on a temporary basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald K. Bartley, John M. Borkenhagen, Philip R. Germann
  • Publication number: 20140201314
    Abstract: Systems and methods to minor data and otherwise manage memory are provided. A buffer may be coupled to a processor and be configured to write a first copy of data to a first memory located at a first server computer and a second copy of the data to a second memory that is accessible to both the first server computer and a second server computer. The buffer may be coupled directly to at least one of the first memory and the second memory via a memory bus, copper cable, or an optical cable. The buffer may write the first and the second copies of the data concurrently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John M. Borkenhagen
  • Patent number: 8745437
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing impact of a switch failure and/or a repair action in a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a first interposer card that operatively connects one or more server cards to a midplane. The first interposer card may include a switch module that switches network traffic for the one or more server cards. The first interposer card may be hot-swappable from the midplane, and the one or more server cards may be hot-swappable from the first interposer card. The server system may further include an interconnect between the first interposer card and a second interposer card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Armstrong, John M. Borkenhagen, Martin J. Crippen, Dhruv M. Desai, David R. Engebretsen, Philip R. Hillier, III, William G. Holland, James E. Hughes, James A. O'Connor, Steven M. Tri
  • Patent number: 8745438
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing impact of a switch failure in a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a midplane, one or more server cards and one or more switch cards. The midplane may include a fabric interconnect for a switch fabric. The one or more server cards may be coupled with the midplane, where each server card is hot-swappable from the midplane. The one or more switch cards may also be coupled with the midplane, where each switch card is also hot-swappable from the midplane. Each switch card includes one or more switch modules, and each switch module is configured to switch network traffic for at least one server card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Armstrong, John M. Borkenhagen, Martin J. Crippen, Dhruv M. Desai, David R. Engebretsen, Philip R. Hillier, III, William G. Holland, James E. Hughes, James A. O'Connoor, Steven M. Tri
  • Patent number: 8738962
    Abstract: Systems and methods to manage memory are provided. A particular method may include storing data in a primary memory that is in communication with a processor and storing in a mirrored data in a mirrored memory. The mirrored data may be compressed, and the mirrored memory may be in communication with the processor. A failure condition associated with the data of the primary memory may be detected. In response to the detected failure condition, the mirrored data in the mirrored memory may be accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Borkenhagen, Jan M. Janick
  • Publication number: 20140095769
    Abstract: Systems and methods to manage memory on a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) are provided. A particular method may include receiving at a flash application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) a request from a processor to access data stored in a flash memory of a DIMM. The data may be transferred from the flash memory to a switch of the DIMM. The data may be routed to a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) of the DIMM. The data may be stored in the DRAM and may be provided from the DRAM to the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John M. Borkenhagen