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:
Feb. 24, 2009
Filed:
Nov. 18, 2004
Timothy J. Crawford, Beaverton, OR (US);
Brandon L. Hunt, Berthoud, CO (US);
Brian A. Rinaldi, Tucson, AZ (US);
Richard A. Ripberger, Tucson, AZ (US);
Timothy J. Crawford, Beaverton, OR (US);
Brandon L. Hunt, Berthoud, CO (US);
Brian A. Rinaldi, Tucson, AZ (US);
Richard A. Ripberger, Tucson, AZ (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A computer system includes a support system that report events, faults, and failures to a master virtual server. While the support system may be accessed and used by a multitude of virtual servers, only the master virtual server can manage the support system. The support system include a master lock register, a heartbeat timer, and a digital processing device ('processor'). Upon initialization and if the master lock register is empty, a virtual server asserts ownership over the support system by writing its identification into the master lock register, becoming the master virtual server. The master virtual server transmits periodic heartbeats to the support system to communicate that it is still viable and in control. If the heartbeat timer expires without communication from the master virtual server, the processor clears the master lock register and transmits a broadcast message inviting all connected virtual servers to attempt to assert control.