Distributed processing system where a management computer automatically connects remote reduced-capability workstations with centralized computing modules

• US 6,366,951 B1
• Filed: 02/02/1998
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Curt A. Schmidt
• Original Assignee: Curt A. Schmidt
• Inventors: Schmidt, Curt A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Assistant Examiner(s): Caldwell, Andrew T.
• Application Number:
  US09/017,398
• Time in Patent Office: 1,520 Days
• Field of Search: 709/208, 709/220, 709/223, 709/201, 700/3, 710/110, 712/31, 345/520, 345/522, 345/2.1
• US Class Current: 709/208
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46

Abstract

A distributed computer system having centrally available processing units. A plurality of computer workstations are connected to a plurality of processing units by computer transmission cables. In one embodiment each of the workstations may be connected to any of the plurality of processing units. These connections are accomplished by a switching unit controlled by a management computer where the management computer automatically connects and disconnects individual computer workstations to individual processing units. In a typical embodiment, there are more computer workstations then processing units and the management computer disconnects idle computer workstations from processing units and connects previously idle computer workstations that become active to processing units not then connected to another computer workstation. A portion of a video display adapter is included in computer workstations while a second portion of a video display adapter is included in the processing units.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a plurality of computer workstations, each computer workstation not having a processor, and each computer workstation comprising;

a monitor;

a first portion of a video display adaptor connected to the monitor;

an input device; and

a workstation transmission adaptor connected to the first portion of a video display adaptor and the input device;

a plurality of computer modules, each computer module comprising;

a processor;

short term memory connected to the processor;

long term storage connected to the processor;

a second portion of a video display adaptor connected to the processor;

a module transmission adaptor connected to the second portion of a video display adaptor and the processor; and

a management network interface circuit connected to the processor;

a switching unit connected to each of a plurality of the module network adaptors;

a plurality of cables forming a network of connections connecting the workstation transmission adaptors of each of a plurality of the computer workstations and the switching unit;

a management computer connected to the switching unit and the management network interface circuit of a plurality of the computer modules, the management computer operating to automatically connect and disconnect individual computer workstations to individual computer modules, through the switching unit; and

more computer workstations than computer modules and wherein the management computer disconnects idle computer workstations from computer modules and connects previously idle computer workstations that become active to computer modules not then connected to another computer workstation.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the management computer saves information regarding the state of computer module connected to a computer workstation when such computer workstation is disconnected from such computer module.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the management computer transfers the saved information for a computer workstation, when the computer workstation is reconnected to a computer module, to such computer module.