Patent ID: 6317879
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An apparatus for use in a member hardware system of a distributed collection of hardware systems, the apparatus comprising:a monitor logic to cooperate with corresponding monitor logic of other hardware systems, to monitor collectively operability of all hardware systems of the distributed collection of hardware systems by monitoring a passing of a token having a pattern contained therein between said hardware systems, to determine whether the hardware systems should be reset based on the pattern within the passed token, to modify the pattern within the passed token if a malfunction is identified, and if the pattern within the passed token is modified to pass the modified token to another hardware system; anda reset logic communicatively coupled with and responsive to the monitor logic and to reset the member hardware system and to cause the member hardware system to reboot off a system image disposed in a boot-member of the distributed collection of hardware systems,wherein said member hardware system and boot-member are communicatively coupled over a communication link, said communication link being used to transfer said system image from the boot-member to said member hardware system for said reboot.