System for network file server failure notification
AssigneeElonex I.P. Holdings, Ltd.
InventorDan Kikinis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An error notification system operated independently of a connected computer receives signals indicating an error condition in operation of the computer, matches the signal with a prerecorded message, and dials phone numbers from a priority list of responsible parties. When a call is answered, the notification system announces the message, informing the answering agent of the error condition, and requests a response requiring a person. If the requested response is not given, the system dials the phone number next in priority, and so on, until a person answers and provides the human response. The system is applied to networked computers, such as file servers, and in one embodiment, the answering party can initiate corrective action.
Claims23
An error notification system for a computer, comprising:
- a CPU for managing operations of the error notification system;
- a memory;
- a telephone modem;
- a message device for rendering a message file in audio form and providing the message to the telephone modem;
- a communication bus connecting the CPU, the memory, the message device, and the telephone modem;
- a communication link adapted for connecting the CPU to the computer;
- a list of telephone numbers stored in the memory with each assigned a position in a priority calling sequence;
- a pre-programmed response;
- and
- a calling control routine stored in the memory and executable by the CPU;
- wherein the calling routine, on detecting an error by the computer, calls the highest priority telephone number, requests the pre-programmed response if the call is answered, hangs up and calls the next number in order in the event that the pre-programmed response is not given in a preset time, and continues to call the telephone numbers in sequence until either the correct response is given or the end of the calling list is reached.
An error tracking and announcing computer system, comprising:
- a computer having a first CPU, a first memory, and a communication port;
- and
- an error notification system comprising a second CPU for managing operations of the error notification system, a second memory, a telephone modem;
- a message device for rendering a message file in audio form and providing the message to the telephone;
- a communication bus connecting the CPU, the memory, the message device, and the telephone modem;
- a communication link adapted for connecting the CPU to the computer;
- a list of telephone numbers stored in the memory with each assigned a position in a priority calling sequence;
- a pre-programmed response;
- and a calling control routine stored in the memory and executable by the CPU;
- wherein the calling routine, on detecting an error by the computer, calls the highest priority telephone number, requests the pre-programmed response if the call is answered, hangs up and calls the next number in order in the event that the pre-programmed response is not given in a preset time, and continues to call the telephone numbers in sequence until either the correct response is given or the end of the calling list is reached.
A notification process for informing a responsible party of an error occurring in operation of a computer, comprising steps of:
- (a) signaling an error condition from the computer to an error notification system having a CPU separate from the computer over a communication link;
- (b) matching the error signal in the error notification system with a prerecorded message;
- (c) selecting a next phone number of a party to be notified from a priority list of phone numbers, and dialing the number via a telephone modem, the next number being the highest priority number not yet dialed since step (b) was executed;
- (d) announcing the prerecorded message if the dialed line is answered;
- (e) requesting a response requiring an action by a person;
- (f) going back to step (c) if the required response is not given;
- and
- (g) ending the notification process if the required response is given.
The method of step 21 wherein the computer is a file server connected in a computer network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.