US5564040A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for providing a server function in a logically partitioned hardware machine
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1994-11-08
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Granted: 1996-10-08
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Expires: 2014-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A server function is provided in a hardware machine which is divided into a plurality of logical partitions, each of which functions as a virtual hardware machine. The hardware machine has a non-user-accessible storage device for storing machine control code and other non-user-accessible code and, optionally, a user-accessible storage device for storing applications and other user-accessible code. Defined partition types include server mode partitions that are inaccessible to a user and non-server mode partitions that are accessible to a user. The hardware machine is divided into one or more logical partitions including at least one server mode partitions and, optionally, one or more non-server mode partitions. Server code for providing the server function is stored on the non-user-accessible storage device and is loaded into the server mode partition from the non-user-accessible storage device in response to an activation signal to enable the server mode partition. Each partition has a stored mode indicator identifying it as either a server mode partition or a non-server mode partition. Loading of server code into a target partition is inhibited if the stored mode indicator indicates that the target partition is a non-server mode partition. Conversely, user attempts to access a target partition are inhibited if the stored mode indicator indicates that the target partition is a server partition.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey P. Kubala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:38
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/4401; G06F9/4406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
In a computer system in which a hardware machine comprises one or more logical partitions, each of which functions as a virtual machine, said hardware machine having a non-user-accessible storage device for storing non-user-accessible code, a method of providing a server function in said hardware machine including the steps of: defining a plurality of partition types including server mode partitions that are inaccessible to any user of said hardware machine and non-server mode partitions that are accessible to a user, one of said partition types being associated with each of said one or more logical partitions; defining a server mode partition within said hardware machine; storing non-user-accessible server code for providing said server function on said non-user-accessible storage device; and loading said server code into said server mode partition from said non-user-accessible storage device to activate said server mode partition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a computer system in which a hardware machine comprises one or more logical partitions, each of which functions as a virtual machine, said hardware machine having a non-user-accessible storage device for storing non-user-accessible code, a method of providing a server function in said hardware machine including the steps of: defining a plurality of partition types including server mode partitions that are inaccessible to any user of said hardware machine and non-server mode partitions that are accessible to a user, one of said partition types being associated with each of said one or more logical partitions; defining a server mode partition within said hardware machine; storing non-user-accessible server code for providing said server function on said non-user-accessible storage device; and loading said server code into said server mode partition from said non-user-accessible storage device to activate said server mode partition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of inhibiting loading of said server code from said non-user-accessible storage device into a non-server mode partition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 2 in which each of said one or more logical partitions has a stored mode indicator identifying the partition type associated with the partition, said inhibiting step comprising the steps of: examining the stored mode indicator of a target partition selected from said one or more logical partitions for loading said server code; and inhibiting loading of said server code into said target partition from said non-user-accessible storage device if said stored mode indicator indicates that said target partition is a non-server mode partition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of inhibiting user attempts to access said server code loaded into said server mode partition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 4 in which each of said one or more logical partitions has a stored mode indicator identifying the partition type associated with the partition, said inhibiting step comprising the steps of: examining the stored mode indicator of a target partition selected from said one or more logical partitions for user access; and inhibiting said user access if said stored mode indicator indicates that said target partition is a server mode partition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 in which said hardware machine is divided into a plurality of logical partitions including a server mode partition and a non-server mode partition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 1 in which each of said one or more logical partitions has a stored mode indicator identifying the partition type associated with the partition and in which each of said partition modes has a predefined set of permitted operations, said method further comprising the steps of: examining the stored mode indicator of a target partition selected from said one or more logical partitions for a user operation to determine the mode of said target partition; and performing said operation if it is a permitted operation for the partition type associated with said target partition, otherwise, inhibiting said operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of logging out said server mode partition in response to a predetermined user command.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of logging out said server mode partition in response to detection of a failure in said server mode partition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of restarting said server mode partition in response to a predetermined user command.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of restarting said server mode partition in response to detection of a failure in said server mode partition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of applying a trap to said server mode partition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of removing a trap from said server mode partition.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 in which said hardware machine also has a user-accessible storage device for storing user-accessible code.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 in which a plurality of server mode partitions are defined within said hardware machine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a computer system in which a hardware machine comprises one or more logical partitions, each of which functions as a virtual machine, said hardware machine having a non-user-accessible storage device for storing non-user-accessible code, apparatus for providing a server function in said hardware machine, said apparatus comprising: means for defining a plurality of partition types including server mode partitions that are inaccessible to any user of said hardware machine and non-server mode partitions that are accessible to a user, one of said partition types being associated with each of said one or more logical partitions; means for defining a server mode partition within said hardware machine; means for storing non-user-accessible server code for providing said server function on said non-user-accessible storage device; and means for loading said server code into said server mode partition from said non-user-accessible storage device to activate said server mode partition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a computer system in which a hardware machine comprises one or more logical partitions, each of which functions as a virtual machine, said hardware machine having a non-user-accessible storage device for storing non-user-accessible code, apparatus for providing a server function in said hardware machine, said apparatus comprising: means for defining a plurality of partition types including server mode partitions that are inaccessible to any user of said hardware machine and non-server mode partitions that are accessible to a user, one of said partition types being associated with each of said one or more logical partitions; means for defining a server mode partition within said hardware machine; means for storing non-user-accessible server code for providing said server function on said non-user-accessible storage device; and means for loading said server code into said server mode partition from said non-user-accessible storage device to activate said server mode partition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising means for inhibiting loading of said server code from said non-user-accessible storage device into a non-server mode partition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus of claim 17 in which each of said logical partitions has a stored mode indicator identifying the partition type associated with the partition, said inhibiting means comprising: means for examining the stored mode indicator of a target partition selected from said one or more logical partitions for loading said server code; and means responsive to a stored mode indicator indicating that said target partition is a non-server mode partition for inhibiting loading of said server code into said target partition from said non-user-accessible storage device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 16, including means for inhibiting user attempts to access said server code loaded into said server partition.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 19 in which each of said one or more logical partitions has a stored mode indicator identifying the partition type associated with the partition, said inhibiting means comprising: means for examining the stored mode indicator of a target partition selected from said one or more logical partitions for user access; and means responsive to a stored mode indicator indicating that said target partition is a server mode partition for inhibiting user access to said target partition.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 16 in which said hardware machine is divided into a plurality of logical partitions including a server mode partition and a non-server mode partition.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
105 words
The apparatus of claim 16 in which each of said one or more logical partitions has a stored mode indicator identifying the partition type associated with the partition and in which each of said partition modes has a predefined set of permitted operations, said apparatus further comprising: means for examining the stored mode indicator of a target partition selected from said one or more logical partitions for a user operation to determine the mode of said target partition; and means for performing said operation if it is a permitted operation for the partition type associated with said target partition and for otherwise inhibiting said operation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 16 in which said hardware machine also has a user-accessible storage device for storing user-accessible code.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 16 in which a plurality of server mode partitions are defined within said hardware machine.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-08 | 2000-04-08 | 2000-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-08 | 2004-04-08 | 2004-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-08 | 2008-04-08 | 2008-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |