The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 25, 2003
Filed:
Oct. 08, 1999
Jeremy B. Rolls, Wimbledon, GB;
Michael J. Bushue, Belmont, CA (US);
Gary S. Rumney, Leighton Buzzard, GB;
Rhod J. Jones, Crowthorne, GB;
David C. Liddell, Gosforth, GB;
Peter Heffernan, Chandlers Ford, GB;
Sun Microsystems, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
A computer system includes processing circuitry and alarm circuitry connectable to a network. A power sub-system includes at least three power supply units, wherein at least a predetermined plurality of power supply units are required to power the computer system. A power distribution mechanism is connectable to the power supply units. The power distribution mechanism is connected to the processing circuitry to supply main power thereto and is connected to the alarm circuitry to supply standby power thereto. The power distribution mechanism is operable to supply main power to the processing circuitry when at least a said predetermined plurality of connected power supplies are operative and is operable to supply standby power to the alarm circuitry when at least one power supply is operative. The power distribution mechanism enables power to be supplied to the alarm circuitry when only one power supply remains operative such that an alarm can still be reported over the network when the other power supply units have failed or are not present. The alarm circuitry also enables remote diagnostic functions to be performed from a remote location over the network.