Recovering a system that has experienced a fault

A system comprising:

• an interface to a network;
• a first operational element comprising an operating system executable by a processor, and at least one software application configured to exchange data with the processor, said first operational element configured to perform one or more tasks in the system;
• a storage element containing an indication of whether a fault has occurred with the first operational element;
• and
• backup apparatus configured to:
• enable access of the network through the interface based at least in part on said indication;
• and
• effect recovery of the system, at least in part by communicating data related to said first operational element over the network;
• wherein said data exchange with said processor is effected via said operating system.

A computerized network system, comprising:

• a network interface;
• a first operational element comprising a first storage drive coupled to a processor via a first interface;
• a storage element containing indicating apparatus configured to indicate a fault with at least a portion of the first operational element;
• and
• a backup apparatus comprising a second storage drive, the second storage drive having software accessible by said first operational element, at least, prior to said fault, said backup apparatus configured to enable access of a network through the network interface in response to the apparatus indicating said fault, using at least said software;
• wherein:
• said first storage drive is configured to store data associated with said first operational element, said data being useful for performance of one or more tasks by the system prior to said fault;
• and
• said backup apparatus is further configured to effect recovery of the system, at least by communicating at least a portion of said data associated with said first operational element over the network in response to the apparatus indicating the fault.

A computerized network apparatus comprising:

• an operational apparatus comprising an operating system executable by a first processor, and at least one software application configured to exchange information with the first processor via said operating system, said software application configured to manipulate user records;
• a mechanism configured to indicate a fault with the operational apparatus;
• an interface to a network;
• and
• a backup apparatus comprising a backup node, the backup apparatus configured to enable access of the network through the interface based at least in part on the mechanism indicating the fault;
• wherein:
• the backup apparatus is adapted to communicate said user records over the network based at least in part on the mechanism indicating said fault;
• and
• the backup node comprises a storage element configured to store said user records.

A method of recovering a digital record processing apparatus from a failure, the apparatus comprising (i) an operational element having an operating system executable by a processor and at least one software application configured to exchange data with the processor, and to perform said digital record processing, (ii) an interface to a network, and (iii) a backup apparatus configured to store a plurality of computer readable instructions, which when executed, perform the method comprising:

• receiving an indication of whether a fault has occurred with the operational element;
• enabling access of the network through the interface based at least in part on said indication;
• and
• effecting recovery of the digital record processing apparatus at least in part by communicating data related to said operational element over the network based at last in part on said indication;
• wherein said data exchange with said processor is effected via said operating system.