US 6,275,851 B1Granted

Data processing system and method for remotely controlling modification of a client's initialization settings

AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation

InventorsDaryl Carvis Cromer, Richard Alan Dayan, Brandon Jon Ellison, Eric Richard Kern, Randall Scott Springfield

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Abstract

A data processing system and method are described for permitting a server computer system to remotely control modifications of initialization settings included within a client computer system. The client computer system is coupled to a server computer system to form a network. During a set-up process executing within the client computer system, the client computer system receives an attempted modification of one of a plurality of initialization settings utilized during booting. In response to the attempted modification, the server computer system determines whether the modification is prohibited. In response to the modification being prohibited, the server computer system prohibits the modification of the one of said plurality of initialization settings, wherein the client computer system is prohibited from booting utilizing the modified one of said plurality of initialization settings.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method in a data processing system for permitting a server computer system to remotely control modifications of initialization settings included within a client computer system, said client computer system being coupled to a server computer system to form a network, said method comprising the steps of:

during a set-up process executing within said client computer system, said client computer system receiving an attempted modification of one of a plurality of initialization settings utilized during said booting;
in response to said attempted modification, said server computer system determining whether said modification is prohibited;
in response to said modification being prohibited, said server computer system transmitting a signal to said client computer system prohibiting said modification of said one of said plurality of initialization settings, wherein said client computer system is prohibited from booting utilizing said modified one of said plurality of initialization settings and permitted to boot utilizing said unmodified plurality of initialization settings;
determining an abnormality occurring during execution of said set-up process and temporarily halting said execution during execution of said set-up process utilizing said plurality of initialization settings or said modified plurality of initialization settings;
in response to said determination, said server computer system transmitting a safe copy of said plurality of initialization settings stored in said server computer in response to a previous, successful completion of said execution;
and
said client computer system continuing said set-up process execution utilizing said safe copy of said plurality of initialization settings, wherein said client computer system successfully completes said set-up process execution.

4 more elements

A data processing system for permitting a server computer system to remotely control modifications of initialization settings included within a client computer system, said client computer system being coupled to a server computer system to form a network, comprising:

during a set-up process executing within said client computer system, said client computer system executing code for receiving an attempted modification of one of a plurality of initialization settings utilized during said booting;
in response to said attempted modification, said server computer system executing code for determining whether said modification is prohibited;
in response to said modification being prohibited, said server computer system executing code for transmitting a signal to said client computer system prohibiting said modification of said one of said plurality of initialization settings, wherein said client computer system is prohibited from booting utilizing said modified one of said plurality of initialization settings and permitted to boot utilizing said unmodified plurality of initialization settings;
during said execution of said set-up process utilizing said plurality of initialization settings or said modified plurality of initialization settings, said client computer system executing code for determining an abnormality occurring said execution of said set-up process and temporarily halting said execution;
in response to said determination, said server computer system executing code for transmitting a safe copy of said plurality of initialization settings stored in said server computer system in response to a previous, successful completion of said execution;
and
said client computer system executing code for continuing said set-up process execution utilizing said safe copy of said plurality of initialization settings, wherein said client computer system successfully completes said set-up process execution.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/206,628Filed 7 Dec 1998
Granted: 14 Aug 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G06F 9/4401
Arrangements for executing specific programs: bootstrapping
G06F 21/575
Certifying or maintaining trusted computer platforms, e.g. secure boots or power-downs, version controls, system software checks, secure updates…:…
H04L 67/34
Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications: involving the movement of software or configuration parameters
H04L 69/329
Intralayer communication protocols among peer entities or protocol data unit [PDU] definitions: in the application layer [OSI layer 7]