William D Duncan

US Patent:

6842902, Jan 11, 2005

Filed:

Aug 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/929953

Inventors:

William Lee Duncan - Berthoud CO, US

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 300
G06F 944
G06F 946
G06F 1300

US Classification:

719321, 714799, 714800, 714805

Abstract:

In one aspect of the invention is a method for robust device token management. In x+ bit computers using x bit device cards, tokens are used for managing communication requests from applications to a device by using x+ bit to x bit conversion techniques, accompanied by error checking.

US Patent:

7036066, Apr 25, 2006

Filed:

May 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/155329

Inventors:

David C. Weibel - Longmont CO, US
William L. Duncan - Berthoud CO, US

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H03M 13/00

US Classification:

714752, 714723, 714758, 714807

Abstract:

Error detection using data block mapping is provided. One method includes receiving a write request to write a user data block having a first block size, generating an error detection code for the user data block, appending the error detection code to the user data block to form an extended data block, and mapping the extended data block to a plurality of actual data blocks, each actual data block having a block size equal to the first block size.

US Patent:

7117422, Oct 3, 2006

Filed:

Jan 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/055593

Inventors:

William L. Duncan - Berthoud CO, US
Wayne Ihde - Boulder CO, US
Michael Tibbetts - Longmont CO, US

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G11C 29/00

US Classification:

714766

Abstract:

Provided are a method, system, and an article of manufacture for detecting errors while accessing a storage device. A host system writes an identical initialization pattern into each block of a plurality of blocks while formatting the storage device. Each block of the plurality of blocks has a checksum field capable of containing a value. Any host system generates an error when data from a retrieved block from the plurality of blocks computes to a checksum that is different from the value contained within the checksum field for the retrieved block, and the retrieved block does not contain the initialization pattern.

US Patent:

7546436, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

Oct 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/538203

Inventors:

William L. Duncan - Berthoud CO, US
Wayne Ihde - Boulder CO, US
Michael Tibbetts - Longmont CO, US

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 12/00

US Classification:

711170, 711114, 714766

Abstract:

Provided are a method, system, and an article of manufacture for detecting errors while accessing a storage device. A host system writes an identical initialization pattern into each block of a plurality of blocks while formatting the storage device. Each block of the plurality of blocks has a checksum field capable of containing a value. Any host system generates an error when data from a retrieved block from the plurality of blocks computes to a checksum that is different from the value contained within the checksum field for the retrieved block, and the retrieved block does not contain the initialization pattern.

US Patent:

7363546, Apr 22, 2008

Filed:

Jul 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/209038

Inventors:

William L. Duncan - Berthoud CO, US

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 11/00

US Classification:

714 40, 714 42, 714 44

Abstract:

A latent error detector may be configured to reveal latent errors within a plurality of components within a computer system. The latent error detector may be configured to access configuration data specifying one or more types of components and one or more modules for each type of component. The one or more modules for each type of component may be configured to initiate a component-specific operation to reveal a latent error within the one or more components of the one or more types of components. A framework may be configured to call the one or more modules for each type of component. The framework may be configured as a main software module to access the one or more modules.

US Patent:

20030023933, Jan 30, 2003

Filed:

Jul 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/917315

Inventors:

William Duncan - Berthoud CO, US

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

International Classification:

G06F011/10
H03M013/00

US Classification:

714/807000

Abstract:

Provided is a method, system, and an article of manufacture for implementing a checksumming technique to a device driver to detect silent data corruption during read requests. A storage device is reformatted to create larger data blocks where a checksum can be stored with the data. A checksum is added during a write request, and calculated and compared during a read request. If an error was detected during retrieval, an error message is generated. However, if no error is detected, the checksum is removed before returning the data blocks to the application program.

US Patent:

20030132956, Jul 17, 2003

Filed:

Jan 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/051509

Inventors:

William Duncan - Berthoud CO, US
Ian Reeve - Thornton CO, US

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

International Classification:

G09G005/00

US Classification:

345/735000

Abstract:

Provided are a method, system, and program for managing a configuration file including device parameters defining attributes of at least one device. A device driver uses the device parameters to control the at least one device. An association is provided of device parameters and parameter codes for devices accessible through the device driver, wherein the device parameters define attributes of the devices. Information is presented on the device parameters through a user interface. User selection is received of at least one of the device parameters. A determination is made from the association of the parameter code corresponding to the user selected device parameter for each user selected device parameter. The configuration file is then modified to include each determined parameter code.

US Patent:

20030135663, Jul 17, 2003

Filed:

Jan 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/052007

Inventors:

William Duncan - Berthoud CO, US
Ian Reeve - Thornton CO, US
Karl Sutterfield - East Lake CO, US

Assignee:

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

International Classification:

G06F013/10

US Classification:

709/321000

Abstract:

Provided are a method, system, and program for managing a configuration file including device parameters that define attributes of at least one device. A device driver uses the device parameters to control the at least one device. A determination is made of device parameters provided with the device driver for a device, wherein the device parameters are maintained external to the configuration file. User selection of at least one of the determined device parameters is received and a parameter code for each selected device parameter is written to the configuration file.