Method of and computer network arrangement for restoring an impaired software image

• US 20030005083A1
• Filed: 06/07/2002
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valtrus Innovations Limited (f/k/a Dolya Holdco 9 Limited) (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Richard, Bruno, Owhadi, Eric, Larvoire, Jean-Francois
• Granted Patent: US 7,062,672 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1417 Boot up procedures

Abstract

An impaired software image associated with a first networked computer is restored by generating a software image request that identifies the software image and the first computer. The software image request is passed to plural other computers on the network. If one of the other computers has the image, the other computer supplies the image to the first computer to restore the impaired image.

Claims

1. A method of restoring an impaired software image associated with a first networked computer, comprising:

a) generating an image request, the image request identifying the software image and the first computer,

b) passing the image request to another computer on the network, and

c) if the other computer in the network has the image, supplying the image from said another computer to the first computer to restore the impaired image.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the network includes at least several computers and the image request is passed to plural computers in the network and step (c) is performed if one of the plural computers has the image.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the image request is passed substantially simultaneously to the plural computers.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein the image request is passed sequentially to the plural computers, until the request reaches a computer provided with the image.

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein, in the event that the request is passed to a computer which does not have the image, that computer causes an appropriate “

NO”

response to be returned to the first computer.

6. A method according to claim 2 wherein passing the software image request to the plural computers initiates a timeout count.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein termination of the timeout count occurs upon receipt by the first computer of the software image or on expiry of a predetermined timeout period.

8. A method according to claim 5, further including conveying an advisory message to a user of the first computer if each computer on the network has returned a “

NO”

response.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein, during normal use of the first computer, the first computer maintains a software inventory detailing the software associated with it, the software image request including information obtained from the software inventory.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the software inventory is maintained in a dedicated non-volatile data store, separate from the main data store used during operation of the computer.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein the software inventory is maintained in a separate partition of the computer'"'"'s hard disk.

12. A method according to claim 9 wherein the software inventory is a differential inventory.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first computer and the computer supplying the unimpaired image have a substantially peer-to-peer relationship so the method is performed without substantive server involvement.

14. A method according to claim 13 further including causing the first computer to pass the software image request to a restoration or recovery server if each “

peer”

computer on the network has returned a “

NO”

response.

15. A method according to claim 1 wherein the image request is a software image request.

17. A computer network arrangement according to claim 16 wherein the networked computers have a substantially peer-to-peer relationship.

18. A computer network arrangement according to claim 17 wherein the network includes at least several computers and the image request dispatch module is arranged for passing the software request to plural other computers on the network.

19. A computer network arrangement according to claim 16 wherein the network includes at least several computers and the image request dispatch module is arranged for passing the software request to plural other computers on the network.

16. A computer network arrangement having:

a) plural networked computers,

b) an impaired software image identification module for identifying an impaired software image on a first networked computer,

c) an image request generation module for generating an image request for identifying the impaired software image and the first computer,

d) an image request dispatch module for passing the software image request to another computer on the network, and

e) a software image supply module, which, in the event that said another networked computer has the requested image, is operative to supply the image to the first computer to enable the impaired software image to be restored.