Method for implementing an unplanned shutdown of a computer system

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for managing system actions on a network. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for managing system actions on a computer network, comprising the steps of initiating a system action sequence in response to a received command, transmitting information about the system action sequence to one or more user computers or administrator computers, receiving feedback information about the system action sequence from one or more user computers or administrator computers, and selectively performing one of continuing the system action sequence, canceling the system action sequence, or reinitiating the system action sequence at a later time, based on the feedback information.

Description

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, show certain aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, help explain some of the principles associated with the invention. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computer network and a block diagram of an exemplary administrator computer consistent with certain aspects related to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flowchart for describing steps in a shutdown sequence consistent with certain aspects related to the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary shutdown sequence initiation window consistent with certain aspects related to the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary shutdown sequence notification window and a veto window consistent with certain aspects related to the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flowchart for describing detailed steps in a shutdown sequence consistent with certain aspects related to the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary shutdown sequence summary window consistent with certain aspects related to the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary system status window consistent with certain aspects related to the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for managing system actions on a computer network, having at least a first computer and a plurality of second computers, the method comprising: initiating a system action sequence in response to a received command;transmitting information about the system action sequence to the second computers;receiving feedback information about the system action sequence from the second computers; andselectively performing one of continuing the system action sequence, canceling the system action sequence, or reinitiating the system action sequence at a later time, based on the feedback information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the feedback information is voting information.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising exchanging the feedback information interactively between the first and second computers.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the system action sequence is a system shutdown sequence; andthe first computer: receives voting information about the system shutdown sequence from the second computers, orexchanges feedback information interactively with the second computers, orboth.

5. A system for managing system actions on a computer network, comprising: a first computer connected to a plurality of second computers by the network;a component in the first computer for initiating a system action sequence in response to a received command;a component in the first computer for transmitting information about the system action sequence to the second computers;a component in the first computer for receiving feedback information about the system action sequence from the second computers; anda component in the first computer for selectively performing one of continuing the system action sequence, canceling the system action sequence, or reinitiating the system action sequence at a later time, based on the feedback information.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the feedback information is voting information.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the first computer exchanges the feedback information interactively with the second computers.

8. The system according to claim 5, wherein: the system action sequence is a system shutdown sequence; andthe first computer: receives voting information about the system shutdown sequence from the second computers, orexchanges feedback information interactively with the second computers, orboth.

9. A computer-readable medium containing instructions to configure a processor within a first computer to perform steps for implementing a method for managing system actions on a computer network, the method comprising: initiating a system action sequence in response to a received command;transmitting information about the system action sequence to a plurality of second computers;receiving feedback information about the system action sequence from the second computers; andselectively performing one of continuing the system action sequence, canceling the system action sequence, or reinitiating the system action sequence at a later time, based on the feedback information.

10. The medium according to claim 9, wherein the feedback information is voting information.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the medium contains instructions for exchanging feedback information interactively with the second computers.

12. The medium according to claim 9, wherein: the system action sequence is a system shutdown sequence; andthe medium contains instructions for: receiving voting information about the system shutdown sequence from the second computers, orexchanging feedback information interactively with the second computers, orboth.

13. A computer-readable medium containing instructions to configure a processor within a second computer to perform steps for implementing a method for managing system actions on a computer network, the method comprising: receiving information about a system action sequence from a first computer; andtransmitting feedback information about the system action sequence to the first computer;wherein the first computer initiates the system action sequence in response to a received command; andwherein the first computer selectively performs one of continuing the system action sequence, canceling the system action sequence, or reinitiating the system action sequence at a later time, based on the feedback information.

14. The medium according to claim 13, wherein the feedback information is voting information.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the medium contains instructions for exchanging feedback information interactively with the first computer.

16. The medium according to claim 13, wherein: the system action sequence is a system shutdown sequence; andthe second computer computer: sends voting information about the system shutdown sequence to the first computer, orexchanges feedback information interactively with the first computer, orboth.

17. A computer-readable medium containing instructions to configure a processor to distribute instructions, wherein the distributed instructions relate to at least one step of a method for managing system actions on a network, the method comprising: initiating a system action sequence in response to a received command;transmitting information about the system action sequence to a plurality of second computers;receiving feedback information about the system action sequence from the second computers; andselectively performing one of continuing the system action sequence, canceling the system action sequence, or reinitiating the system action sequence at a later time, based on the feedback information.

18. The medium according to claim 17, wherein the feedback information is voting information.

19. The medium according to claim 17, wherein the feedback information is exchanged interactively between the first and second computers.

20. The medium according to claim 17, wherein: the system action sequence is a system shutdown sequence; andthe first computer: receives voting information about the system shutdown sequence from the second computers, orexchanges feedback information interactively with the second computers, orboth.