FAST SOFTWARE FAULT DETECTION AND NOTIFICATION TO A BACKUP UNIT
First Claim
1. ) A computer-implemented method, comprising:
- activating a notification program in response to an activation of an exception handler, wherein the activation of the exception handler is in response to a first unit suffering a software fault, the first unit comprising the exception handler and an operating system; and
using the notification program, sending a control packet to a backup unit without using the operating system.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for quickly informing a backup unit that a primary unit has failed. Normally an exception handler is activated when a software failure occurs and network controller chips or the ASIC interface to a signal bus can operate even though there is a software failure. A software failure notification packet is programmed and stored in a location that is not affected by a software system failure. When a software failure occurs, control is shifted to the exception handler. The exception handler sends a pre-established and pre-addressed packet to the network controller card which transmits this packet to the backup unit. Upon receipt of the packet, the backup unit goes into operation. In some alternate embodiments that include multiple line cards in a single unit, the exception handler sends a signal to a backup unit via a signal bus or a data bus.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. ) A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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activating a notification program in response to an activation of an exception handler, wherein the activation of the exception handler is in response to a first unit suffering a software fault, the first unit comprising the exception handler and an operating system; and using the notification program, sending a control packet to a backup unit without using the operating system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. ) A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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responsive to an activation of an exception handler of a first line card, wherein the activation of the exception handler is responsive to the first line card becoming inoperable, activating programming code; and using the programming code, notifying a backup line card that the first line card has become inoperable. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. ) A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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responsive to a first line card failing, wherein the first line card comprises an exception handler, activating an exception handler; responsive to activating the exception handler, wherein the exception handler comprises an exception handler extension, activating the exception handler extension; and sending a control packet from the exception handler extension to a second line card. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification