Data processing system and method for remotely disabling network activity in a client computer system

• US 6,263,388 B1
• Filed: 11/30/1998
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Cromer, Daryl Carvis, Springfield, Randall Scott, Kern, Eric Richard, Ellison, Brandon Jon
• Primary Examiner(s): Lintz, Paul R.
• Application Number:
  US09/201,063
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 713/201, 707/8, 707/9, 340/825.34, 340/825.31, 380/30, 710/107
• US Class Current: 710/107
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/305 by remotely controlling device operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/12 Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/35 involving non-standard use of addresses for implementing network functionalities, e.g. coding subscription information within the address or functional addressing, i.e. assigning an address to a function
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access

Abstract

A data processing system and method are described for permitting a server computer system to remotely disable an ability of a client computer system to access a network which couples the client computer system to the server computer system. The server computer system transmits an indication to the client computer system utilizing the network that the ability of the client computer system to access said network be at least temporarily disabled. In response to a receipt of the indication by the client computer system, the ability of the client computer system to access the network is at least temporarily disabled. The client computer system is unable to transmit information utilizing the network while the client computer system is temporarily disabled.

Claims

1. A method in a data processing system for permitting a server computer system to remotely disable an ability of a client computer system to access a network which couples said client computer system to said server computer system, wherein said client computer system includes a processor executing an operating system, a media access controller for controlling access to said server computer system and an internal bus interconnecting said processor and said media access controller, said method comprising the steps of:

said server computer system transmitting an indication to said client computer system utilizing said network that said ability of said client computer system to access said network be at least temporarily disabled; and

in response to a receipt of said indication by said client computer system, at least temporarily disabling said ability of said client computer system to access said network by isolating said media access controller from said internal bus, said client computer system being unable to transmit information utilizing said network while said client computer system is temporarily disabled.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

said server computer system transmitting an indication to said client computer system utilizing said network that said ability of said client computer system to access said network be re-enabled; and

in response to a receipt of said indication by said client computer system, re-enabling said ability of said client computer system to access said network by reconnecting said media access controller to said internal bus, said client computer system being able to transmit information utilizing said network while said client computer system is re-enabled.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

said server computer system transmitting an indication to said client computer system utilizing said network that said ability of said client computer system to access said network be initialized; and

in response to a receipt of said indication by said client computer system, initializing said ability of said client computer system to access said network.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said step of initializing said ability of said client computer system to access said network further comprises the step of initializing said media access controller included within said client computer system to access said network.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

said server computer system transmitting an indication to said client computer system utilizing said network that said ability of said client computer system to access said network be permanently disabled; and

in response to a receipt of said indication by said client computer system, permanently disabling said ability of said client computer system to access said network by generating a physical layer reset, said client computer system being unable to transmit information utilizing said network while said client computer system is disabled.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of requiring a user to remove said physical layer reset prior to permitting a re-enabling said ability of said client computer system to access said network.

7. A data processing system including a server computer system and a client computer system coupled together utilizing a network, said client computer system comprising:

a network adapter including a network controller and a special purpose processing unit coupled to said network controller, said network controller coupled to a processor within said client computer system via an internal bus and capable of receiving and transmitting network packets utilizing said network to said server computer system;

said network controller for receiving a network packet from said server computer system, said network packet including a magic packet and one of a plurality of commands;

said network controller for transmitting said network packet to said special purpose processing unit in response to a receipt of said network packet;

said special purpose processing unit executing code for determining said network packet includes said magic packet; and

in response to said special purpose processing unit determining said network packet includes said magic packet, said special purpose processing unit executing code for executing said one of said plurality of commands causing an ability of said network controller to access said network to be at least temporarily disabled by isolating said network adaptor from said internal bus.