Network hibernation system for suspending and resuming operation of

Abstract

A network hibernation system for use with a computer connected to a local area network. (LAN) which is capable of retaining both data from the computer and data from the network environment created in connection with the LAN in the event of a power failure and also in the event that the computer is idle for a predetermined time period. Upon the restoration of power, the states of the computer and network hibernation system are resumed to the point before the occurrence of the power failure or the idle period. The system includes a network interface for connecting the computer to the local area network; a power controller connected to a data bus, for generating a time-out signal when the computer is in a non-use state during operation of the computer; a power supply connected to the data bus, for generating a power interrupt detection signal upon abrupt termination of a main power source to provide back-up power to the computer system for backing data of the computer in a network environment, and for terminating the back-up power upon reception of a power interrupt signal; a supplemental memory for storing data of the computer in the network environment; a system controller connected to the data bus, for controlling data of the computer in the network environment to be stored in the supplemental memory, for generating the power interrupt signal after the data of the computer in the network environment are stored in the supplemental memory in response to either the time-out signal or the power interrupt detection signal to set the computer in a network hibernation state, and for recovering stored data and restoring the computer in the network environment when the main power source is re-supplied to the computer; and a main memory for storing network hibernation information for the system controller to determine whether the computer is in the network hibernation state.