International Business Machines Corporation

Mark Edward Hill

Douglas Eugene Torrens

Andrew Louis Gross

Glen Alan Jaquette

Brian Gerard Goodman

David Lee Swanson

Alex Chliwnyj

Scott Milton Fry

Chiahong Chen

Toshiyuki Shiratori

Gerald Damian John

Thomas M Ferris

Charley David Lillard

An apparatus, system, and method are provided for developing failure prediction software for a storage system. The present invention allows a user to edit and revise a failure prediction algorithm that includes fuzzy logic rules. The failure prediction algorithm is generated in a human readable format and uses terms and operators familiar to experts in the field of storage systems. In addition, the present invention generates the machine-readable code necessary to implement or test a draft failure prediction algorithm. If the results of the failure prediction algorithm are unsatisfactory, the user may revise the failure prediction algorithm and re-run the tests until the results correspond to expected results. In addition, the present invention includes a performance monitor, processor, and determination module. The performance monitor gathers performance data for a storage system. The processor executes the failure prediction algorithm on the performance data to produce a result. The determination module selectively forecasts failure of one or more components of the storage system in response to the result.

Apparatus, system and method for developing failure prediction software

Authentication of an upgrade to computer readable program code of a target embedded device is accomplished by causing the computer processor of the embedded device to access an unique machine identifier; to access an identifier key associated with the upgrade; to process the identifier key and/or unique machine identifier, such as by decrypting the key and/or encrypting the identifier; to compare the identifier key with the unique machine identifier; and causing the computer processor, if the identifier key matches the unique machine identifier, to enable the upgrade; else, to fail the upgrade.

Target self-security for upgrades for an embedded device

A microprocessor (digital device) with microcode is incorporated in a mechanical device, having analog electrical signaling wires, to send a digital signal containing identifying data of the device to a central computer. The digital signal includes operating ranges and any other information that will allow the central computer system to recognize the mechanical device and automatically incorporate the device's operating characteristics into the total system without disruption. The digital signal is transmitted to the central computer system immediately after a power-on signal is detected by the microprocessor on board the mechanical device.

Method and apparatus for identifying hardware

A method and system for permitting reversible installation of software applications in a data processing system which includes a processor, memory containing a first version of a selected software application and a storage system for receiving a removable storage medium. A removable storage medium which includes at least one alternate version of a selected software application is inserted into the storage system and a user is then prompted to select an alternate version of the selected software application for installation within the data processing system. The existing version of the selected software application within the data processing system is then automatically copied from memory to the removable storage medium prior to initiation of installation of the alternate version of the selected software application in response to a selection of the alternate version, such that the installation may be selectively reversed. A directory within the removable storage medium is automatically created and updated each time an application is copied from or to the removable storage medium with a listing of each alternate version of the selected software application, a required hardware level for utilization with each version of the selected software application and a listing of each data processing system within the enterprise which has utilized that version.

Method and system for reversible installation of software applications in a data processing system utilizing an automated archival process

A method and apparatus for updating a checksum of a data structure wherein the checksum has an additive property. According to the invention, a word value of a word that is to be modified is eliminated from a checksum to form a current checksum. The current checksum is then updated with a modified word value of a modified word. A system for data structures includes a computer readable and writeable medium and a processor which performs the method of the invention.

Method and apparatus for updating checksums of data structures

A system for the automated isolation and report of a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) and/or a Replaceable Component (RC) responsive to a stream of Fault Symptom Code (FSCs) produced in response to a system fault. The process is entirely automated and can be stored in microcode to allow immediate updating of FSC to FRU/RC correspondences responsive to system design revisions. Selected FRU/RC isolation procedures are included in the FRUs/RCs for automatic execution as part of the isolation process. Failure probability data, including probability distribution data, are included in each FRU/RC to support an alternative weighted failure probability (WFP) isolation scheme to isolate a faulty FRU/RC even when the automated isolation procedures do not provide an unambiguous result.

Growing community of inventors

Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Mark Edward Hill