Network Engines, Inc.

Kevin J Murphy, Jr

John Amaral

The invention provides apparatus and systems for high availability execution of applications executing on one or more digital data processor platforms. For example, a system according to one aspect of the invention includes a first set digital data processors, each of which executes one or more applications. These are referred to as 'primaries' or 'primary applications.' A second set of digital data processors execute virtual machines, each of which, in turn, executes an image of a corresponding primary application. These are referred to as &#x201c;imaged&#x201d; or &#x201c;imaged applications.&#x201d; Each of the first and second sets may have one or more digital data processors. Agent functionality residing on and/or coupled to the digital data processors in the first and second sets maintains state/configuration information for each imaged application. That information, which reflects current or substantially current state of the corresponding primary application, is of such a nature as to permit the imaged application to take over applications processing, e.g., in the event the primary application fails or otherwise becomes unavailable. The agent functionality, according to related aspects of the invention, can monitor the primary applications (and/or the first set of digital data processors) and effect such a take over by a specific imaged application.

High-availability network appliances and methods

Methods for management of software installation and/or execution utilize a third-party management system to load a 'fingerprint' to user digital data processing equipment before a file (such as a patch installation file) can be installed and/or executed on that equipment. The fingerprint can be a filename, file length, CRC code and/or encrypted form of one or more of the foregoing or of any other information that identifies the software to be installed and/or executed.

Growing community of inventors

Marlborough, MA, United States of America

Kevin J Murphy, Jr