Method and apparatus for exchanging a program over a network computer system that permits reactivation of the original program if an error occurs
First Claim
1. A method of exchanging an old program package for a new program package in a multicomputer system (MRS) comprising a plurality of peripheral computers (PR1, . . . , PRN) and at least one system computer (SR), with the peripheral computers (PR1, . . . , PRN) and the at least one system computer (SR) connected to a computer communication network (RKN) and each peripheral computer having a main memory (RAM1), characterized by the following steps for execution in each of the peripheral computers (PR1, . . . , PRN) and in the at least one system computer (SR):
- copying the new program package to respective first areas (PPN) of the main memories (RAM1) of the peripheral computers (PR1, . . . , PRN) and the at least one system computer (SR);
saving dynamic data of processes under control of the multicomputer system (MRS) in respective second areas (DYD) of the main memories (RAM1) upon reaching a selected point in the execution of the old program package; and
initializing the new program package in the respective peripheral computers (PR1, . . . , PRN) and the at least one system computer (SR) with the saved dynamic data.
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Abstract
A method for a program-package change in a multicomputer system (MRS) and a computer (PR1) for the multicomputer system (MRS) are disclosed. During the program-package change, the interruption of the processes being controlled by the multicomputer system (MRS) is to be kept as short as possible. In addition, for reasons of security, fallback on operation of the multicomputer system (MRS) with the replaced, old program package is to be possible. According to the invention, each computer (PR1, . . . , PRN, SR) of the multicomputer system (MRS) has in its main memory (RAM1) an area (PPN) in which the new program package is stored before the actual replacement procedure begins. During the program-package change, each of the computers (PR1, . . . , PRN, SR) is loaded with the new program package from its main memory (RAM1).
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of exchanging an old program package for a new program package in a multicomputer system (MRS) comprising a plurality of peripheral computers (PR1, . . . , PRN) and at least one system computer (SR), with the peripheral computers (PR1, . . . , PRN) and the at least one system computer (SR) connected to a computer communication network (RKN) and each peripheral computer having a main memory (RAM1), characterized by the following steps for execution in each of the peripheral computers (PR1, . . . , PRN) and in the at least one system computer (SR):
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copying the new program package to respective first areas (PPN) of the main memories (RAM1) of the peripheral computers (PR1, . . . , PRN) and the at least one system computer (SR); saving dynamic data of processes under control of the multicomputer system (MRS) in respective second areas (DYD) of the main memories (RAM1) upon reaching a selected point in the execution of the old program package; and initializing the new program package in the respective peripheral computers (PR1, . . . , PRN) and the at least one system computer (SR) with the saved dynamic data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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- 9. A method as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that said step of copying the new program package is a step of copying the new program package in compressed form to the respective first areas (PPN) of the main memories (RAM1) of the peripheral computers (PR1, . . . , PRN) and the at least one system computer (SR), and that prior to the step of initialization with the saved dynamic data, the compressed new program package is decompressed.
- 13. A computer (PR1) with a link (RA1) to a computer communication network (RKN) of a multicomputer system (MRS), said computer having a main memory (RAM1), characterized by a control means (SM1) connected to said main memory (RAM1) which, when an old program package is exchanged for a new program package, controls steps of copying the new program package to a first area (PPN) of the main memory (RAM1), saving dynamic data of processes being controlled by the multicomputer system (MRS) in a second area (DYD) of the main memory (RAM1) upon reaching a selected point in execution of the old program package, and initializing a new program package in the computer (PR1) with the saved dynamic data.
Specification