System for providing automatic power control for highly available n+k processors
US5560033A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 29, 1994 |
| Grant date | Sep 24, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 29, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/2023
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A highly available processor complex that can use industry standard hardware and software through use of an N+K sparing arrangement with a separate monitor ("watchdog") processor. The watchdog processor monitors periodic "heartbeat" messages from the monitored elements and can change activity and status of such monitored elements through control messages. Further, the watchdog processor is operatively connected to a power control circuit that controls the power to the monitored elements. Thus, the watchdog processor can guarantee that a faulty element can be rendered non-functional and can also totally restart an element through power cycling it.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.