Remotely controlled failsafe boot mechanism and manager for a network device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for providing a secure operation of a host computer that comprises the steps of:
- connecting to the host computer a master device having a CPU configured to execute a monitor program and to manage one or more host images and the host computer;
bypassing a bootstrap code native to the host computer and executing a master-device supplied bootstrap code instead;
establishing a communication channel between the master device and the host computer, communications between the master device and the host computer being governed by the CPU of the master device;
transferring from the master device a selected one of the host images over the communication channel to the host computer;
instructing the host computer to execute the transferred host image;
actively monitoring the functionality of the host computer via the monitor program of the master device by comparing a set of operational parameters obtained from the host computer against a prescribed set of values within a prescribed period of time; and
on the basis of the monitored comparison, selectively restarting the host computer to thereby maintain the secure operation of the host computer.
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Abstract
Increased availability, reliability and security are enabled in a network device by providing remote control over the boot mechanism of a host machine. Methods for providing secure operation of a network device are also described.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A method for providing a secure operation of a host computer that comprises the steps of:
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connecting to the host computer a master device having a CPU configured to execute a monitor program and to manage one or more host images and the host computer;
bypassing a bootstrap code native to the host computer and executing a master-device supplied bootstrap code instead;
establishing a communication channel between the master device and the host computer, communications between the master device and the host computer being governed by the CPU of the master device;
transferring from the master device a selected one of the host images over the communication channel to the host computer;
instructing the host computer to execute the transferred host image;
actively monitoring the functionality of the host computer via the monitor program of the master device by comparing a set of operational parameters obtained from the host computer against a prescribed set of values within a prescribed period of time; and
on the basis of the monitored comparison, selectively restarting the host computer to thereby maintain the secure operation of the host computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method for providing a secure operation of one or more active processes executing on a host computer, comprising the steps of:
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connecting to the host computer a master device having a CPU configured to execute a monitor program and to manage one or more host images and the host computer;
bypassing a bootstrap code native to the host computer and executing a master-device supplied bootstrap code instead;
establishing a communication channel between the master device and the host computer, communications between the master device and the host computer being governed by the CPU of the master device;
transferring from the master device a selected one of the host images over the communication channel to the host computer;
instructing the host computer to execute the transferred host image;
executing one or more active processes on the host computer;
determining if any of the active processes is operating outside of prescribed parameters; and
on the basis of the determining step, selectively restarting one or more of the active processes to thereby maintain the secure operation of the host computer.
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Specification