Network hibernation system for suspending and resuming operation of computer system operable in network environment in event of power failure or period of inactivity

A network hibernation method, comprising:

• connecting a computer system to a local area network for operating in a network environment;
• generating a time-out signal when said computer system is in a non-use state for a predetermined time period;
• generating a power interrupt detection signal upon abrupt termination of a main power source to provide back-up power to said computer system for backing-up information comprising data of said computer system and data from said network environment created in connection with a server for the local area network, and terminating said back-up power upon reception of a power interrupt signal;
• generating a hibernation signal by logically combining said time-out signal and said power interrupt detection signal;
• storing said information within a first memory;
• generating said power interrupt signal after said information is stored in said first memory in response to said hibernation signal and setting said computer system in a network hibernation state, and recovering said stored information and restoring said computer system in said network environment when said main power source is re-supplied to said computer system;
• and
• storing network hibernation information in a second memory for said system controller to determine whether said computer system is in said network hibernation state.

A suspension process of a network hibernation system having a power supply, a power controller, a system controller, a network interface and a network interface, for suspending operation era computer system connected to a local area network, said suspension process comprising:

• a step in which said power supply providing energy for backing up information comprised of data of said computer system in a network environment and data from said network environment created in connection with a server for the local area network outputs a power interruption signal when a main power source is abruptly interrupted;
• a step in which said power controller outputs a time-out signal, when said computer system remains inactive for a predetermined time period;
• a step in which said system controller determines whether a hibernation support network driver is installed, when one of said power interruption detection signal and said time-out signal is output from one of said power supply and said power controller;
• a step in which a network hibernation module is invoked when the hibernation support net-work driver is installed;
• a step in which said network interface is reset when a network hibernation is determined as being enabled;
• a step in which said network interface is disabled after said information of said computer system is stored in a memory:
• a step in which the power from said power supply is interrupted;
• and
• a step in which said computer system is turned into hibernation.

A resume process of a network hibernation system having a power supply, a power controller, a system controller, a network interface and a network interface for resuming operation era computer connected to a local area network, said resume process comprising the steps of:

• a step of initializing and self-examining the computer, when power is re-applied to said computer after a period of hibernation;
• a step of recovering a working environment previous to a power-off by normally booting in cue the computer is not in a hibernation mode and by recovering all the contents of the computer stored in a supplementary memory in case the computer is in the hibernation mode said contents comprising data from the working environment created in connection with a server for the local area network;
• a step of invoking a network hibernation module when the system is in a network hibernation mode;
• a step of initializing the network interface when the network hibernation mode is enabled after the network hibernation module has been invoked;
• a step of recovering the contents of a local memory when there is local memory in the network interface and resetting the network interface;
• a step of returning to a hibernation module after the network interface is enabled;
• and
• a step of operating the computer in the working environment before hibernation.

A network hibernation system for use in a computer system operable in a network environment, said network hibernation system comprising:

• a network interface for connecting said computer system with a network and enabling said computer system to operate in said network environment;
• a power controller for generating a time-out signal indicating that said computer system is not active for a predetermined time period;
• a power supply for supplying back-up power to said computer system by generating an ac-down signal upon indication that main power supply from a main power source to said computer system is abruptly interrupted;
• means for generating a hibernation signal in response to said time-out signal and said ac-down signal;
• a first memory for storing upon generation of said hibernation signal current operating information of said computer system comprised of data from said network environment created in conjunction with a network server;
• a second memory for storing hibernation information indicating whether said computer system is in hibernation upon generation of said hibernation signal;
• and
• a system controller for suspending said computer system in hibernation in response to said hibernation signal after said current operating information of said computer system is stored in said first memory and said hibernation information is stored in said second memory, and for resuming operation of said computer system in said network environment when said current operating information is recovered from said first memory in response to re-application of said main power supply from said main power source to said computer system.