Patents by Inventor Robert F. Kern

Robert F. Kern 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: 9251018
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments disclose a method and system for detecting a failure and resuming processing in a computing system encompassing at least two sites, a primary site and a secondary site. In a module, an exemplary embodiment generates a record of a logically consistent state and data of system components of the primary site periodically and transfers the record of a logically consistent state and data of system components of the primary site to the secondary site. In another module, an exemplary embodiment detects a failure in the primary site, halts the generation of the record of a logically consistent state and data of system components of the primary site periodically with a data freeze function, and resumes a processing of the primary site on the secondary site with secondary site components updated with a most recent logically consistent state and data of system components of the primary site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Kern, David B. Petersen
  • Patent number: 8862852
    Abstract: A method is disclosed to selectively provide information to one or more remote computing devices. The method provides an information storage and retrieval system comprising first information, a first logical partition, and a second logical partition, where the first information is disposed in the first logical partition. The method further provides a data extraction algorithm, forms second information comprising an instantaneous point-in-time copy of the first information, and forms third information from the second information using the data extraction algorithm. The method then migrates the third information from the first logical partition to the second logical partition, and provides access rights to that third information to one or more computing devices capable of communicating with the information storage and retrieval system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Robert F. Kern
  • Patent number: 8788772
    Abstract: Provided is a method for maintaining mirror and storage system copies of volumes at multiple remote sites. A first server maintains a mirror copy relationship between a first storage system at a first site and a second storage system at a second site. The first server performs a first point-in-time copy operation from the first storage system to a first storage system copy, wherein the data for the first storage system copy is consistent as of the determined point-in-time. The first server transmits a command to a second server to create a point-in-time copy of the second storage system. The second server processes mirror data transferred from the first server as part of the mirror copy relationship to determine when to create a second point-in-time copy. The second server performs the second point-in-time copy operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolas M. Clayton, Robert F. Kern, David B. Petersen, David M. Shackelford, Gail A. Spear, John G. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8788768
    Abstract: Provided are a computer program product and system for maintaining mirror and storage system copies of volumes at multiple remote sites. A first server maintains a mirror copy relationship between a first storage system at a first site and a second storage system at a second site. The first server performs a first point-in-time copy operation from the first storage system to a first storage system copy, wherein the data for the first storage system copy is consistent as of the determined point-in-time. The first server transmits a command to a second server to create a point-in-time copy of the second storage system. The second server processes mirror data transferred from the first server as part of the mirror copy relationship to determine when to create a second point-in-time copy. The second server performs the second point-in-time copy operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolas M. Clayton, Robert F. Kern, David B. Petersen, David M. Shackelford, Gail A. Spear, John G. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20140173341
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments disclose a method and system for detecting a failure and resuming processing in a computing system encompassing at least two sites, a primary site and a secondary site. In a module, an exemplary embodiment generates a record of a logically consistent state and data of system components of the primary site periodically and transfers the record of a logically consistent state and data of system components of the primary site to the secondary site. In another module, an exemplary embodiment detects a failure in the primary site, halts the generation of the record of a logically consistent state and data of system components of the primary site periodically with a data freeze function, and resumes a processing of the primary site on the secondary site with secondary site components updated with a most recent logically consistent state and data of system components of the primary site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert F. Kern, David B. Petersen
  • Patent number: 7761426
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for continuously protecting data. A mirror module mirrors a primary record set to a base record set. A log module accumulates each record change to the primary record set in a log. A change selection module selects a record change from the log. A change application module applies the selected record change to the base record set to form a recovered record set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Boyd, John T. Flynn, Jr., Robert F. Kern, Gregory E. McBride, William F. Micka, David M. Shackelford
  • Publication number: 20080178050
    Abstract: A data backup system and a method for sychronizing a replication of permanent data between primary and secondary disk subsystems and a replication of temporary data between primary and secondary computer servers in the event of an operational error are provided. The method includes detecting an operational error. The method further includes stopping replication of permanent data from the primary disk subsystem to the secondary disk subsystem at a first predetermined time, in response to the detection of the operational error. The method further includes stopping any further replication of temporary data from the primary computer server to the secondary computer server at the first predetermined time, in response to the detection of the operational error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert F. Kern, David B. Petersen, David H. Surman, Peter G. Sutton
  • Patent number: 5615329
    Abstract: A remote data shadowing system provides synchronous, storage based, real time disaster recovery wherein a secondary site is located remote from the primary site. An error recovery program at the primary site quiesces applications running thereat for performing error recovery procedures and signalling both primary and secondary locations that failed duplex has occurred. The error recovery program determines the cause of failed duplex, and if error recovery is successful, duplex mode is resumed. If the error recovery program is unable to perform error recovery successfully, then further write updates at the primary site are prohibited and an error message is communicated to operators at both the primary and secondary sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Kern, William F. Micka, Claus W. Mikkelsen, Michael A. Paulsen, Robert W. Shomler
  • Patent number: 5263154
    Abstract: Backup copying of designated datasets representing a first selected point in time consistency may be performed in a data processing system on an attached storage subsystem concurrent with data processing system application execution by first suspending application execution only long enough to form a logical-to-physical address concordance, and thereafter physically backing up the datasets on the storage subsystem on a scheduled or opportunistic basis. An indication of each update to a selected portion of the designated datasets which occurs after the first selected point in time is stored and application initiated updates to uncopied designated datasets are first buffered. Thereafter, sidefiles are made of the affected datasets, or portions thereof, the updates are then written through to the storage subsystem, and the sidefiles written to an alternate storage location in backup copy order, as controlled by the address concordance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Eastridge, Robert F. Kern, James M. Ratliff
  • Patent number: 5241668
    Abstract: A method in a data processing system for automatically terminating or resuming backup copy sessions after an abnormal interrupt or reset notification occurrence during a backup copy process. A status indication is entered into activity tables associated with a plurality of storage subsystems and devices within a data processing system in response to initiation of a backup copy session. Status indications are then entered upon successful completion of a backup copy session within the data processing system. The indications within the activity tables are reviewed to determine the status of a backup copy session upon restarting a resource manager, abnormal termination of a backup copy program, or an operating system initial program load. If a backup copy session has been initiated but not completed, the backup copy session is then terminated. The indications within the activity tables are also reviewed to determine the status of a backup copy session if a reset notification is raised by a storage subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Eastridge, Robert F. Kern, William F. Micka, Claus W. Mikkelsen, James M. Ratliff
  • Patent number: 5241670
    Abstract: A method in a data processing system for generating a backup copy of designated datasets during concurrent execution of an application. Upon receiving a request for a backup copy, execution of an application is suspended. A dataset logical-to-physical storage system address concordance for the designated datasets is formed, and execution of the application is resumed thereafter. A resource manager is established to manage all input and output functions between storage subsystems, storage subsystem memory associated with each of the storage subsystems, and a temporary host memory during formation of the backup copy. Formation of the backup copy is accomplished on a scheduled or opportunistic basis by copying the designated datasets from the storage subsystems and then updating the address concordance in response to the copying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Eastridge, Robert F. Kern, Ronald M. Kern, Claus W. Mikkelsen, James M. Ratliff
  • Patent number: 4837680
    Abstract: A plurality of host processors share access to a peripheral data storage subsystem and each have program means for controlling asynchronous operations of the subsystem. Control blocks in each of the host processors are addressably linked together for enabling inferred access to a unit control block (UCB) for any of a plurality of peripheral devices in the subsystem. The subsystem selectively groups some of the devices such that only devices designated as primary devices are addressably accessible by host processor application programs. Other devices in the respective groups are secondary devices and are accessed by the subsystem whenever the primary devices in the same group cannot perform a host processor commanded operation. Means are provided for identifying the secondary devices to all of the host processors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert N. Crockett, Robert F. Kern, Arnold G. Miller, Richard E. Norris, Michael W. Pousson, Jr., Robert E. Wagner