David M Rhoades

US Patent:

6412025, Jun 25, 2002

Filed:

Mar 31, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/282136

Inventors:

Richard W. Cheston - Morrisville NC
Daryl Carvis Cromer - Apex NC
Dhruv Manmohandas Desai - Cary NC
Brandon Jon Ellison - Raleigh NC
Howard Jeffery Locker - Cary NC
Eric Richard Kern - Durham NC
David Rhoades - Apex NC
James Peter Ward - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1314

US Classification:

710 8, 709220, 709221, 709222, 3408555, 370438, 370461

Abstract:

A system and method for connecting a computer terminal (e. g. , a personal computer) to a data transmission network with the appropriate settings for connection obtained from the network if the terminal has been moved and the settings are not appropriate for the new location. The system and method involve detecting that the terminal has been removed from the data transmission network, and, if the terminal has been moved, checking to determine whether the previous settings are appropriate for use in the new location. If the settings are appropriate, then the previous settings are used; if not, new settings for the terminal are obtained from the network, using a program such as the IBMs Dynamic Host Connection Program (DHCP), with the details on the settings (or connection) maintained at both the network and the computer terminal and updated when a new or changed connection to the data transmission network is made.

US Patent:

6470455, Oct 22, 2002

Filed:

Mar 31, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/282330

Inventors:

Daryl Carvis Cromer - Cary NC
Howard Locker - Cary NC
David Rhoades - Apex NC
James Peter Ward - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1130

US Classification:

713202, 713200, 713201, 710100, 710101, 710107, 710108, 710126

Abstract:

A data processing system and method are disclosed for prohibiting access to a SCSI bus prior to a correct entry of an access password. The system includes a plurality of internal SCSI bus devices coupled to the SCSI bus. The system also includes an external SCSI connector for coupling external SCSI devices to the SCSI bus. The access password is established and stored within the system. The plurality of internal SCSI bus devices and the external devices are prohibited from accessing the SCSI bus prior to a correct entry of the access password. The SCSI bus includes a busy signal line. Prior to a correct entry of the access password, the system asserts the busy signal line, indicating that the SCSI bus is busy. Both internal and external devices are prohibited from accessing the SCSI bus while the busy signal line is asserted.

US Patent:

6473655, Oct 29, 2002

Filed:

May 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/562535

Inventors:

Christopher Britton Gould - Raleigh NC
David Rhoades - Apex NC
Walter Leslie Robinson - Raleigh NC
Gary Anthony Vaiskauckas - Morrisville NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G05B 1918

US Classification:

700 5, 700 2, 700 4, 709104, 709222, 711163, 711173, 711112, 714 5, 714 10, 714 36

Abstract:

A data processing system and method are described for creating a virtual partition within an existing partition within a hard disk drive included within the system. A first master boot record is written which includes a partition. The partition defines a first file system to be utilized by the hard drive. A file is created within the partition. The first master boot record is temporarily overwritten with a second master boot record without altering the first file system. The second master boot record includes a designation of the file as a second partition. The second partition defines a second file system. The second partition is designated as the active partition. The data processing system is booted utilizing the second master boot record. The second partition is a virtual partition within the existing partition.

US Patent:

6658563, Dec 2, 2003

Filed:

May 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/574729

Inventors:

Robert Duane Johnson - Raleigh NC
Kofi Kekessie - Durham NC
David Rhoades - Apex NC
Gary Anthony Vaiskauckas - Morrisville NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 15177

US Classification:

713 2, 713 1, 713100

Abstract:

A data processing system and method are described for booting a computer system from a virtual floppy diskette. A native operating system is executed by the computer system which utilizes a native file system. A boot able floppy diskette image is stored on the hard drive. The image includes a second operating system which utilizes a second file system. A master boot record stored on the hard drive is modified to include a boot bit. The boot bit is set in response to a storage of the image. The computer system is then booted from the image in response to the boot bit being set. The native operating system and the native file system are unchanged during the booting of the computer system from the image.

US Patent:

6675317, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

Dec 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/738810

Inventors:

Stephen Woodrow Murphrey - Apex NC
David B. Rhoades - Apex NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1100

US Classification:

714 5, 714 57

Abstract:

A method and system for erasing a drive of a computer system is disclosed. The method and system include scrubbing the drive and writing a message to a portion of the drive such that the message will be provided to a user in response to the drive being booted after scrubbing. The message indicates that the drive has been scrubbed.

US Patent:

6718464, Apr 6, 2004

Filed:

Jan 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/768066

Inventors:

Daryl Carvis Cromer - Apex NC
Eric Richard Kern - Durham NC
Howard Jeffrey Locker - Cary NC
David Rhoades - Apex NC
James Peter Ward - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 9445

US Classification:

713 2, 709222

Abstract:

A method and system are disclosed for dynamically loading selected BIOS modules and settings from a server computer system to a client computer system according to an identity of a user who is currently utilizing the client computer system. The client computer system is coupled to a server computer system via a network. Selected BIOS modules and settings are associated with a particular user. These BIOS modules and settings are those preferred by the particular user to use in order to customize the client computer system when the client computer system is used by the particular user. The associations among the particular user and the selected BIOS modules and settings are stored in the server computer system. The selected BIOS modules and settings are downloaded from the server computer system to the client computer system when the particular user causes the client computer system to start booting, i. e. when the particular user is the current user.

US Patent:

6725178, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Jan 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/050032

Inventors:

Richard W. Cheston - Morrisville NC
Daryl Carvis Cromer - Cary NC
Howard Jeffrey Locker - Cary NC
David B. Rhoades - Apex NC
James Peter Ward - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1130

US Classification:

702186, 710 8, 710 72

Abstract:

A system and method for storing adapter card Option ROM BIOS extensions on the systems DASD and, more particularly, on a partition of the DASD that is generally inaccessible to the operating system. The system may partition the system DASD into a user partition and a hidden partition where the hidden partition is preferably inaccessible to the operating system. BIOS extensions files are stored in the hidden partition. The system BIOS, when executed, identifies the peripheral devices on the system and interrogates the hidden partition for BIOS extension files corresponding to each of the identified devices. If the hidden partition contains a BIOS extension file corresponding to an identified peripheral device, the file is verified for authenticity. If the verification completes successfully, the BIOS extension file is copied into shadow RAM and control is passed to it. In one embodiment, each BIOS extension file are downloaded to the systems DASD using a standards-based update process that is independent of the vendor or adapter card type.

US Patent:

6728833, Apr 27, 2004

Filed:

Feb 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/085401

Inventors:

Gregory Brian Pruett - Raleigh NC
David B. Rhoades - Apex NC
Linda Ann Riedle - Apex NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1200

US Classification:

711114, 711112, 711161, 711162, 714 6

Abstract:

A method, system and computer program product for updating firmware in a disk in a disk array in a RAID storage system without deactivating a server coupled to the disk array. Upon selecting the disk whose firmware is to be updated, the selected disk may enter a degrade mode of operation where a RAID controller coupled to the RAID storage system may prevent requests from reaching the selected disk thereby suppressing activity on the selected disk to allow the firmware to be updated. During the updating of the firmware, any stripes updated may be tracked. Upon completion of the firmware update, the stripe units in the selected disk associated with the stripes updated may be rebuilt. In this manner, firmware may be updated on a disk in a RAID storage system without deactivating the server thereby allowing the server to continuously stay active.