Patent ID: 6990320

Claim:
A method in a multi-processor based apparatus of dynamically reallocating processors to provide redundant functionality, the method including the steps of: detecting a fault in a first function, the first function having a first priority, said first function supported by a first processor; selecting a second processor supporting a second function different than the first function, the second function having a second priority; and reallocating, responsive to said fault, said second processor to support said first function when a predetermined relationship corresponding to said first priority and said second priority exists, wherein said step of reallocating said second processor to support said first function occurs when said predetermined relationship includes said first priority exceeding said second priority, wherein said second processor is selected from a multiplicity of second processors supporting a multiplicity of said second functions and wherein said step of reallocating occurs when said predetermined relationship further corresponds to having said multiplicity of said second processors satisfy a threshold number of said second processors.