VWGoA - Ex. 1014
`Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., Petitioner
`
`1
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.26,2006
`
`Sheet170f8
`
`US 7,114,006 B2
`
`
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`2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.26,2006
`
`Sheet2 0f8
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`US 7,114,006 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.26,2006
`
`Sheet3 0f8
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`US 7,114,006 B2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 26, 2006
`
`Sheet 4 0f 8
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`US 7,114,006 B2
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`F1663
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`
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`HOST COMPUTER
`
`Smmgc Management
`Program
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`DATA STORAGE AND
`RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
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`STORAGE
`STORAGE
`DEVICE
`DEVICE
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`5
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 26, 2006
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`Sheet 5 of 8
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`US 7,114,006 B2
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`He. bl
`
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` User submits change IP
`
`address request
`
`Server receives I? change reques
`
`
`Generate HTML page comprising
`embedded applet capable of
`
`monitoring TCP/IP conection to
`sewer
`
`
`
`Periodically ping server using first,, L(é
`
`YES
`
`D oes server respon
`
`to ping
`
`?
` NO
`
`determines that server has KOO
`
`Remote operator station
`
`discontinued TCP/IP services
`
`Indicate to user that server IS
`
`
`ts of HTML
`Applet updates cont
`
`bringing up TCP/lP using second
`page using Java to lavascript via
`IP address
`
`
`
`LiveConnect
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`(/ég
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`N0
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`Periodically pmg servr usmg
`second IP address
`
`
`Does server respon
`
`to ping
`?
`
`
`
`Rewrite HTML document to
`comprise an HTML redirect page
`
`comprising second IP address
`
`Redirection times expires and
`browser loads Web page
`
`Server indicates that IP address
`change completed
`
`Li 9
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`6
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 26, 2006
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`Sheet 6 0f 8
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`US 7,114,006 B2
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`
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`., Data Stnrage And Retrieval
`DHCP Server
`
`System
`
`
`
`
`Remote Operator
`
`Station
`
`
`
`
`
`DHCP Server
`
`
`
`,
`
`Data Storage And Retrieval
`System
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`7
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 26, 2006
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`Sheet 7 0f 8
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`US 7,114,006 B2
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`
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` eneratc ' ' page compnsmg
`
`embedded applet capable of
`
`SCI'VCI
`monitoring TCP/IP conection lo
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`YES
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`(igo
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`‘70
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`Ines Server respon-
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`to ping9
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`who
`NO
`Remote operator station determines
`
`ihm server has discontinued 'l‘CPllP
`services
`
`
`
`Indicate to user that server is
`Applet updates contents of HTML
`
`
` Periodically ping server using
`
`
`
`bringing up TCPIll’ using second
`page using Java to Javascript via
`second I? address
`
`
`
`IP address
`LiveConnect
`
`
`Rewrite HTML document to
`
`
` comprise an HTML redirect pug i oes Server rcspon
`
`to ping9
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` Redirection times expires and
`browser loads Web page
`
`comprising second I? address
` Server indicates that IP address
`
`NO
`
`
`change completed
`
`
`8
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 26, 2006
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`Sheet 8 0f 8
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`US 7,114,006 B2
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` User submits change IP
`
`address request
`
`
`Server receives lP change request
`
`Flo/‘71
`
`
`
`Server requests second IP address
`from DHCP server
`
`enerate HTML page compnsmg
`
`embedded applet capable of
`
`monitoring TCP/IP conection to
`server
`
`Server receives second I? address
`
`
`from DHCP server
`
`
`Server provides second
`IP address to User
`
`
`to ping
`
`
`NO
`
`Remote operator station
`
`determines that server has
`
`
`
`
`discontinued TCP/IP services g
`
`NO
`lndicate to user that serv r is
`Applet updates contnts ofHTML
`
`
`
`Periodically ping server using
`bringing up TCP/lP using second
`second lP address‘
`
`page using Java to Javascript via
`
`IP address
`
`
`LiveConnect
`
`
`Rewrite HTML document to
`
`
`oes Server respon
`
`comprise an HTML redirect page
`
`
`to ping
`
`
`Redirection times expires and
`
`browser loads Web page
`comprising second IP address
`
`Scrver indicates that IP address
`
`
`change completed
`
`
`
`YES
`
`User receives applet
`
`Periodically ping server using first
`lP address
`
`
`
`
`
` I oes Server respon u
`?
`
`9
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`

`

`US 7,114,006 B2
`
`1
`APPARATUS AND METHOD TO REMOTELY
`CHANGE IP ADDRESS OF SERVER
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`Applicant’s invention relates to an apparatus and method
`to change the IP address of a server using a remote operator
`station. In certain embodiments,
`the server comprises a
`portion of a data storage and retrieval system.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Automated media storage libraries are known for provid-
`ing cost effective access to large quantities of stored media.
`Generally, media storage libraries include a large number of
`storage slots on which are stored portable data storage
`media. The typical portable data storage media is a tape
`cartridge, an optical cartridge, a disk cartridge, electronic
`storage media, and the like. By electronic storage media,
`Applicants mean a device such as a PROM, EPROM,
`EEPROM, Flash PROM, compactflash (compactflash is a
`registered trademark of Sandisk corporation), smartmedia
`(smartmedia is a registered trademark of Kabushiki Kaisha
`Toshiba DBA Toshiba Corporation), and the like.
`One (or more) accessors typically accesses the data stor-
`age media from the storage slots and delivers the accessed
`media to a data storage device for reading and/or writing
`data on the accessed media. Suitable electronics operate the
`accessor(s) and operate the data storage device(s) to provide
`information to, and/or to receive information from, an
`attached on-line host computer system.
`In a conventional automated media storage library, the
`storage slots are arranged in a planar orthogonal arrange-
`ment forming a “wall” of storage slots for holding data
`storage media. The plane may be a flat plane, or may be a
`cylindrical plane. To double the storage capacity,
`two
`“walls” of storage slots may be provided on either side of the
`accessor.
`
`A number of different companies manufacture automated
`media storage libraries today, each model displaying various
`different features. One example is the IBM TotalStorageTM
`3494 Enterprise Tape Library. Some of the automated media
`storage libraries have dual or multiple accessors to provide
`a level of redundancy and to enhance performance.
`Prior art data storage and retrieval systems include a
`single operator station which allows a user to manage the
`operation and status of the library. Applicants’ data storage
`and retrieval system includes at least one local operator
`station. In addition, however, Applicants’ data storage and
`retrieval system is capable of communicating with one or
`more remote operator stations. Applicants’ invention further
`includes a method whereby a remote user, using a remote
`operator station, can change the IP address of the data
`storage and retrieval system.
`In the most widely installed level of the Internet Protocol
`(“IP”) today, an IP address is a 32-bit number that identifies
`each sender or receiver of information that is sent in packets
`across the Internet. When a user requests an HTML page, the
`Internet Protocol part of TCP/IP includes the user’s IP
`address in the message (actually, in each of the packets if
`more than one is required) and sends it to the IP address that
`is obtained by looking up the domain name in the Uniform
`Resource Locator (“URL”) requested. At the other end, the
`recipient can see the IP address of the Web page requestor
`and can respond by sending another message using the IP
`address it received.
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`An IP address has two parts: the identifier of a particular
`network on the Internet and an identifier of the particular
`device (which can be a server or a workstation) within that
`network. On the Internet itselfithat is, between the router
`that moves packets from one point to another along the
`route wnly the network part of the address is used. In
`addition to the network address or number, information is
`needed about which specific machine or host in a network is
`sending or receiving a message. So the IP address needs both
`the unique network number and a host number, which is
`unique within the network. Part of the local address can
`identify a subnetwork or subnet address, which makes it
`easier for a network that is divided into several physical
`subnetworks, for example, several different local area net-
`works, to handle many devices.
`Because networks vary in size, there are four different
`address formats or classes that have historically been used:
`Class A addresses are for large networks with many
`devices.
`Class B addresses are for medium-sized networks.
`
`Class C addresses are for small networks (fewer than 256
`devices).
`Class D addresses are multicast addresses.
`
`The first few bits of each IP address indicate which of the
`
`address class formats it is using. Such address structures
`comprise:
`
`Class A
`
`Network (7 bits)
`
`Local addess (24 bits)
`Class B
`
`,_.,_.Ii
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`10
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`1110
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`Network (14 bits)
`Class C
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`Network (21 bits)
`Class D
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`Local address (16 bits)
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`Local address (8 hits)
`
`Multicast address (28 bits)
`
`The IP address is usually expressed as four decimal
`numbers, each representing eight bits, separated by periods.
`This is sometimes known as the dot address and, more
`technically, as dotted quad notation. For Class A IP
`addresses, the numbers would represent “network.local.lo-
`cal.local”; for a Class C IP address, they would represent
`“network.network.network.local”. The number version of
`
`the IP address can (and usually is) represented by a name or
`series of names called the domain name.
`
`Internet Protocol Version 6, expands the size of the IP
`address to 128 bits, which can accommodate growth in the
`number of network addresses. For hosts still using IPv4, the
`use of subnets in the host or local part of the IP address will
`help reduce new applications for network numbers.
`In
`addition, many sites using IPv4 Internet have mitigated the
`Class C network address limitation by using the Classless
`Inter-Domain Routing (“CIDR”) scheme for address nota-
`tion.
`
`The machine or physical address used within a local area
`network may differ from the Intemet’s IP address. The most
`typical example is the 48-bit Ethernet address. TCP/IP
`includes a facility called the Address Resolution Protocol
`that allows use of a table that maps IP addresses to physical
`addresses. The table is known as the ARP cache.
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`

`

`3
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`US 7,ll4,006 B2
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`4
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`Applicants’ invention comprises a method and apparatus
`to change the IP address of a server from a remote operator
`station, where that server comprises an HTTP server having
`a first IP address, and where that server is capable of
`communicating with one or more remote operator stations.
`Applicants’ method submits to the server from one of the
`remote operator stations, using the first IP address, an IP
`address change request. That IP address change request
`includes discontinuing use of the first IP address and com-
`mencing use of a second IP address.
`After receipt of the IP address change request, the server
`generates an HTML page comprising an embedded applet,
`where that applet
`is capable of monitoring the TCP/IP
`connection between the remote operator station and the
`server. The server provides that HTML page/applet to the
`remote operator station. Thereafter,
`the remote operator
`station continuously displays the status of the IP address
`change request using the provided applet. After the IP
`address change request is completed, the remote operator
`station communicates with the server using the second IP
`address.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention will be better understood from a reading of
`the following detailed description taken in conjunction with
`the drawings in which like reference designators are used to
`designate like elements, and in which:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of
`Applicant’s data storage and retrieval system;
`FIG. 2A is a first perspective view of a second embodi-
`ment of Applicant’s data storage and retrieval system;
`FIG. 2B is a second perspective view of the embodiment
`of FIG. 2A;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the components of
`Applicants’ data storage and retrieval system;
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart summarizing the steps in a first
`embodiment of Applicants’ method;
`FIG. 5A is a block diagram showing an alternative
`embodiment of Applicants’ apparatus;
`FIG. 5B is a block diagram showing another alternative
`embodiment of Applicants’ apparatus;
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart summarizing the steps in a second
`embodiment of Applicant’s method; and
`FIG. 7 is a flowchart summarizing the steps in a third
`embodiment of Applicants’ method.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring to the illustrations, like numerals correspond to
`like parts depicted in the figures. The invention will be
`described as embodied in an automated data storage and
`retrieval subsystem for use in a data processing environ-
`ment. The following description of Applicant’s method to
`change the IP address of a server using a remote operator
`station is not meant, however, to limit Applicant’s invention
`to either data storage and retrieval systems, or to data
`processing applications, as the invention herein can be
`applied to changing IP addresses in general.
`FIG. 3 illustrates the hardware and software environment
`
`in which preferred embodiments of the present invention are
`implemented. Host computer 390 includes, among other
`programs, a storage management program 310. In certain
`embodiments, host computer 390 comprises a single com-
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`puter. In alternative embodiments, host computer 390 com-
`prises one or more mainframe computers, one or more work
`stations, one or more personal computers, combinations
`thereof, and the like.
`Information is transferred between the host computer 390
`and secondary storage devices managed by a data storage
`and retrieval system, such as data storage and retrieval
`system 320, via communication links 350, 452, and 456.
`Communication links 350, 452, and 456, comprise a serial
`interconnection, such as an RS-232 cable or an RS-432
`cable, an ethemet interconnection, a SCSI interconnection,
`a Fibre Channel interconnection, an ESCON interconnec-
`tion, a FICON interconnection, a Local Area Network
`(LAN), a private Wide Area Network (WAN), a public wide
`area network, Storage Area Network (SAN), Transmission
`Control Protocol/Intemet Protocol (TCP/IP), the Internet,
`and combinations thereof.
`
`In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, data storage and
`retrieval system 320 includes data storage devices 130 and
`140. In alternative embodiments, Applicants’ data storage
`and retrieval system 320 includes more than two data
`storage devices.
`A plurality of portable data storage media 360 are move-
`ably disposed within Applicants’ data storage and retrieval
`system. In certain embodiments, the plurality of data storage
`media 360 are housed in a plurality of portable data storage
`cartridges 370. Each of such portable data storage cartridges
`may be removeably disposed in an appropriate data storage
`device.
`
`Data storage and retrieval system 320 further includes
`program logic to manage data storage devices 130 and 140,
`and plurality of portable data storage cartridges 370. In
`alternative embodiments, data storage and retrieval system
`320 and host computer 390 may be collocated on a single
`apparatus. In this case, host computer 390 may be connected
`to another ho st computer to, for example, translate one set of
`library commands or protocols to another set of commands/
`protocols, or to convert library commands from one com-
`munication interface to another, or for security, or for other
`reasons.
`
`Host computer 390 comprises a computer system, such as
`a mainframe, personal computer, workstation, etc., includ-
`ing an operating system such as Windows, AIX, Unix, MVS,
`LINUX, etc.
`(Windows
`is a registered trademark of
`Microsoft Corporation; AIX is a registered trademark and
`MVS is a trademark of IBM Corporation; and UNIX is a
`registered trademark in the United States and other countries
`licensed exclusively through The Open Group.) The storage
`management program 310 in the host computer 390 may
`include the functionality of storage management type pro-
`grams known in the art that manage the transfer of data to
`a data storage and retrieval system, such as the IBM DFSMS
`implemented in the IBM MVS operating system.
`The IBM DFSMS software is described in “DFSMS/
`MVS VlR4 General
`Information,” IBM document no.
`GC26-4900-05, published by IBM (Copyright 1997, IBM),
`which publication is incorporated herein by reference in its
`entirety. Storage management program 310 may include
`known storage management program functions, such as
`recall and migration. The storage management program 310
`may be implemented within the operating system of the host
`computer 390 or as a separate, installed application program.
`Alternatively,
`storage management program 310 may
`include device drivers, backup software, and the like.
`The data storage and retrieval system 320 comprises a
`computer system, and manages, for example, a plurality of
`tape drives and tape cartridges. In such tape drive embodi-
`
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`

`

`US 7,114,006 B2
`
`5
`ments, tape drives 130 and 140 may be any suitable tape
`drives known in the art, e.g., one or more TotalStorageTM
`tape drives (TotalStorage is a trademark of IBM Corpora-
`tion). Similarly, tape cartridges 370 may be any suitable tape
`cartridge device known in the art, such as one or more IBM
`TotalStorageTM tape cartridges.
`Referring now to FIG. 1, automated data storage and
`retrieval system 100 is shown having a first wall of storage
`slots 102 and a second wall of storage slots 104. Portable
`data storage media are individually stored in these storage
`slots. In certain embodiments, such data storage media are
`individually housed portable housings,
`i.e. cartridges.
`Examples of such data storage media include magnetic
`tapes, magnetic disks of various types, optical disks of
`various types, electronic storage media, and the like.
`Applicants’ automated data storage and retrieval system
`includes one or more accessors, such as accessors 110 and
`120. An accessor is a robotic device which retrieves portable
`data storage media from, for example, first storage wall 102
`or second storage wall 104, transports that accessed media
`to, for example, input/output device 130 or 140 for reading
`and/or writing data thereon, and returns the media, for
`example,
`to a proper storage slot. As shown in FIG. 1,
`accessors 110 and 120 travel bi-directionally along rail 170
`in an aisle disposed between first wall of storage slots 102
`and second wall of storage slots 104. US. Pat. No. 6,038,
`490, entitled “Automated Data Storage Dual Picker Inter-
`ference Avoidance,” teaches a method to prevent collisions
`occurring between accessors moveably disposed on the
`same rail system, and is hereby incorporated by reference
`herein. Import/export station 172 includes access door 174
`pivotably attached to the side of system 100. Portable data
`storage cartridges can be placed in the system, or in the
`alternative, removed from the system, via station 172 and
`access door 174.
`
`Library controller 160 comprises electronics and com-
`puter code to operate the various components comprising
`library 100. In certain of these embodiments, library con-
`troller 160 is integral with a computer. Local operator station
`150 permits a local user to communicate with Applicants’
`automated data storage and retrieval system 100. Local
`operator station 150 includes an information input device
`154 (not shown in FIG. 1) and an information display device
`156 (not shown in FIG. 1). Communication server 180
`allows one or more remote users to communicate with
`
`remote operator station 190
`system 100. For example,
`communicates with server 180 via communication link 192.
`
`Remote operator input station 190 includes an information
`input device 194 and an information display device 196. In
`certain embodiments, server 180 comprises an HTTP server.
`Communication link 192 comprises a network interface,
`such as an RS-422 cable/RS-232 cable, a SCSI interconnec-
`tion, an ethernet interconnection, a gigabit ethernet inter-
`connection, a Fibre Channel interconnection, an ESCON
`interconnection, a local area network, a private wide area
`network, a public wide area network, Storage Area Network
`(SAN), Transmission Control Protocol/Intemet Protocol
`(TCP/IP), the Internet, and combinations thereof. Although
`FIG. 1 shows a single remote operator station, Applicants’
`system 100 is capable of communicating with two or more
`remote operator input stations.
`FIG. 2A shows system 200 which comprises another
`embodiment of Applicants’ data storage and retrieval sys-
`tem. System 200 includes first storage wall 202 and second
`storage wall 204. Storage walls 202 and 204 each include a
`plurality of storage elements in which can be stored a
`plurality of portable data storage media. System 200
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`includes one or more input/output devices, such as devices
`230 and 240. Input/output device 230/240 each comprise a
`floppy disk drive, an optical disk drive, a magnetic tape
`drive, and the like. System 200 further includes controller
`260. System 200 further includes control panel 250 and
`import/export station 272.
`As those skilled in the art will appreciate, one or a
`plurality of portable data storage cartridges can be remove-
`ably disposed in one or more slots in storage walls 202/204.
`Each such cartridge contains an information storage medium
`internally disposed therein. Such data storage media
`includes optical media, magnetic media, tape media, elec-
`tronic media, and combinations thereof. System 200 also
`includes at least one robotic accessor 210 for transporting a
`designated portable information storage medium between a
`storage slot disposed in first wall 202 or second wall 204 and
`input/output device 230/240.
`Data storage and retrieval system 200 further includes
`communication server 280 (Not shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B). In
`certain embodiments, server 280 comprises an HTTP server.
`Communication server 280 allows one or more remote users
`
`to communicate with system 200. For example, remote
`operator station 290 communicates with server 280 via
`communication link 292. Remote operator input station 290
`includes an information input device 294 and an information
`display device 296. Data storage and retrieval system 200 is
`capable of communicating with one or more remote operator
`input stations.
`Remote operator input station 290 communicates with
`server 280 via communication link 292. Communication
`
`link 292 comprises a network interface, such as an RS-422
`cable/RS-232 cable, a SCSI interconnection, an ethernet
`interconnection, a gigabit ethernet interconnection, a Fibre
`Channel
`interconnection, an ESCON interconnection, a
`local area network, a private wide area network, a public
`wide area network, Storage Area Network (SAN), Trans-
`mission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP),
`the
`Internet, and combinations thereof. Although FIG. 2A shows
`a single remote operator input station, other embodiments of
`Applicants’ system 200 includes two or more remote opera-
`tor input stations. Referring now to FIG. 2B, system 200
`further includes local operator station 250 (FIG. 2B). Local
`operator station 250 includes an information input device
`254 (FIG. 2B) and an information display device 256 (FIG.
`2B).
`Applicants’ invention includes a method to change the IP
`address of a server by a remote user. In certain embodiments,
`the server, such as server 180 (FIG. 1)/280 (FIG. 2A), is
`disposed in a data storage and retrieval system, such as data
`storage and retrieval system 100 (FIG. 1)/200 (FIGS. 2A,
`2B). In the various embodiments of Applicants’ method, the
`server uses a first IP address comprising a 32-bit number. In
`certain embodiments,
`the server uses a first IP address
`comprising a 128-bit number. In certain embodiments, the
`user requests the server discontinue use of a first IP address
`and commence using a second IP address, where that second
`IP address comprises a 32-bit number. In certain embodi-
`ments, the user requests the server discontinue use of a first
`IP address and commence using a second IP address, where
`that second IP address comprises a 128-bit number.
`Referring now to FIG. 4, Applicants’ method to change a
`server’s IP address by a user using a remote operator station
`begins at step 405 wherein the remote user submits an IP
`address change request to the server. Applicants’ method
`transitions from step 405 to step 410 wherein the server
`receives the IP address change request of step 405. Appli-
`cants’ method transitions from step 410 to step 415 wherein
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`US 7,114,006 B2
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`7
`the server generates an HTML page comprising an embed-
`ded applet capable of monitoring the server’s TCP/IP con-
`nection to the remote operator station.
`References herein to “an HTML page” include embodi-
`ments which includes one or more HTML pages. By
`“applet”, Applicants mean a program written in the Java
`programming language that can be included in an HTML
`page. When using a Java technology-enabled browser to
`view such an HTML page that includes such an applet, the
`applet’s code is transferred to the computer system and is
`executed by the browser’s Java Virtual Machine.
`Further in step 415, the server provides that HTML page
`to the remote operator station. In step 420,
`the remote
`operator station receives the HTML page/applet of step 415.
`Applicants’ method transitions from step 420 to step 425
`wherein the remote operator station, using the applet
`received in step 415, begins to ping the server at a first time
`using the first IP address. By “ping”, Applicants mean using
`a request/response communication wherein the remote
`operator station provides a request to the server, and wherein
`the server upon receipt of that request provides a response to
`the remote operator station. In certain embodiments,
`the
`ping of step 425 comprises a query having the format
`URL.openConnection( ).getlnputStream( ).
`Applicants’ method transitions from step 425 to step 435
`wherein Applicants’ method determines
`if the server
`responded to the ping of step 425 within a first time interval
`after the first time of step 425. In certain embodiments, the
`first time interval
`is between about 10 milliseconds and
`about 10 seconds in duration. In certain embodiments, the
`first time interval is between about 1 second and about 3
`seconds in duration. In certain embodiments, the first time
`interval is about 2 seconds in duration. In certain embodi-
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`ments, the duration of the first time interval is determined by
`the user. In certain embodiments, the duration of the first
`time interval is embodied in software downloaded to the
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`35
`
`remote operator station from the server. In certain embodi-
`ments, the duration of the first time interval is determined by
`the server at runtime and included in the applet formed in
`step 415.
`If Applicants’ method determines in step 435 that the
`server responded to the ping of step 425 within the first time
`interval, then Applicants’ method transitions from step 435
`to step 425 wherein Applicants’ method again pings the
`server using the first IP address. Applicants’ method con-
`tinues to ping the server using the first IP address as long as
`the server responds to the preceding ping within the first
`time interval, i.e. Applicants’ method loops between steps
`425 and 435 if the server continues to respond to the pings
`using the first IP address. As a general matter, if the server
`responds to the (n)th ping using the first IP address, the
`remote operator station then provides an (n+l)th ping using
`that first IP address.
`
`Alternatively, if Applicants’ method determines in step
`435 that the server did not respond to the (n)th ping of step
`425 within the first time interval, then Applicants’ method
`transitions from step 435 to step 440 wherein Applicants’
`method at a second time determines that the server has
`
`terminated TCP/IP services in order to change its IP address.
`Applicants’ method transitions from step 440 to step 450
`wherein Applicants’ method indicates to the user that the
`server is bringing up TCP/IP services using the second IP
`address. In certain embodiments, the remote operator station
`includes a visual display device. In certain of these visual
`display embodiments, Applicants’ method in step 450 pro-
`vides a visual message that the server is bringing up TCP/IP
`services using the second IP address. In certain embodi-
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`8
`the remote operator station includes a printer. In
`ments,
`certain of these printer embodiments, Applicants’ method in
`step 450 provides a printed message that
`the server is
`bringing up TCP/IP services using the second IP address. In
`certain embodiments, the remote operator station includes a
`sound card. In certain of these sound card embodiments,
`Applicants’ method in step 450 provides an auditory mes-
`sage that the server is bringing up TCP/IP services using the
`second IP address.
`
`In certain embodiments, Applicants’ method transitions
`from step 450 to step 455 wherein the applet provided in step
`415 updates the contents of the HTML page of step 415
`using Java to Javascript via LiveConnect mechanisms. In
`these embodiments, Applicants’ method transitions from
`step 455 to step 470.
`In certain embodiments, Applicants’ method transitions
`from step 450 to step 460 wherein Applicants’ method
`causes the remote operator station at a third time to provide
`the (n+l)th ping to the server using the second IP address.
`A second time interval comprises the difference between the
`second time of step 440 and the third time of step 460. In
`certain embodiments the duration of that second time inter-
`val is between about
`1 second and about 30 seconds. In
`certain embodiments, duration of the second time interval is
`between 3 seconds and 5 seconds. In certain embodiments,
`the second time interval is about 4 seconds.
`
`Applicants’ method transitions from step 460 to step 465
`wherein Applicants’ method determines
`if the server
`responded to the ping of step 460 within a third time interval.
`In certain embodiments, the third time interval is between
`about 10 milliseconds and about 10 seconds in duration. In
`certain embodiments, the duration of the third time interval
`is between about 1 second and about 3 seconds. In certain
`embodiments, the third time interval is about 2 seconds in
`duration.
`
`If Applicants’ method determines in step 465 that the
`server did not respond to the ping of step 460 within the third
`time interval, then Applicants’ method transitions from step
`465 to step 460 wherein the remote operator station again
`pings the server using the second IP address.
`Applicants’ method continues to ping the server using the
`second IP address as long as the server does not respond to
`the preceding ping within the third time interval, i.e. Appli-
`cants’ method loops between steps 460 and 465 if the server
`does not respond to the pings using the second IP address.
`As a general matter, if the server does not respond to the
`(n)th ping using the second IP address, the remote operator
`station then provides the (n+l)th ping using that second IP
`address.
`
`Alternatively, if the server responds to the (n)th ping using
`the second IP address, then Applicants’ method transitions
`from step 465 to step 470 wherein Applicants’ method
`causes the remote operator station to rewrite the HTML page
`provided in step 415 to comprise an HTML redirect page. As
`those skilled in the art will appreciate, such an HTML
`redirect page comprises a metatag specifying a redirect time.
`In certain embodiments, the redirect time is determined
`by the user. In certain embodiments, the redirect time is
`embodied in software downloaded to the remote operator
`station from the server. In certain embodiments, the redirect
`time is determined by the server at runtime and included in
`the applet formed in step 415. In certain embodiments which
`include steps 460 and 465, the redirect time is set to 0
`seconds.
`
`Applicants’ method transitions from step 470 to step 475
`wherein Applicants’ method causes the remote operator
`station to load a web page for accessing the server where that
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`US 7,114,006 B2
`
`9
`web page includes the second IP address. Applicants’
`method transitions from step 475 to step 480 wherein the
`server provides a message to the remoter operator station
`that the IP address change is completed.
`In the embodiment of Applicants’ method summarized in
`FIG. 4, the second IP address is assigned by the remote