System and method for storage of device performance data

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for storage of device performance data and repair systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a data recorder includes a memory device connected to at least one device for storing performance data obtained from the device wherein the memory device is accessible after failure of the device. In an additional embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for optimizing device performance includes determining an operating system type, saving the operating system type in a data recorder and loading a firmware module based on the saved type. In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for preventing loss of device performance data includes obtaining performance data from a device and storing the performance data on a data recorder wherein the data recorder is accessible after failure of the device. It may be desirable to store performance data to the data recorder so as not to affect the operation of the device. In yet another exemplary embodiment, a system and method for restoring a corrupted data structure with device self stored repair tools includes determining whether a data structure of an operating system is corrupted and restoring the data structure from data recorder data if the data structure is corrupted.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for optimizing device performance, comprising: 
 determining an operating system type;    saving the operating system type in a data recorder; and    loading a firmware module based on the saved type.    
     
     
         2 . The method as described in  claim 1 , wherein the determining step comprises comparing at least one of the dates, time and number of bytes of the operating system.  
     
     
         3 . The method as described in  claim 1 , further comprising saving the operating system type in a specific address as set by a virtual-register-like pointer.  
     
     
         4 . The method as described in  claim 3 , wherein the virtual-register-like pointer includes a current pointer to state and address one specific operating system.  
     
     
         5 . The method as described in  claim 4 , further comprising incrementing the current pointer to describe changes in the operating system.  
     
     
         6 . The method as described in  claim 4 , wherein the virtual-register-like pointer includes a second pointer to state which module to load for a specific operating system.  
     
     
         7 . A program of instructions storable on a medium readable by an information handling system for causing the information handling system to execute steps for optimizing device performance, the steps comprising: 
 determining an operating system type;    saving the operating system type in a data recorder;    loading a firmware module based on the saved type.    
     
     
         8 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 7 , wherein the determining step comprises comparing at least one of the dates, time and number of bytes of the operating system.  
     
     
         9 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 7 , further comprising saving the operating system type in a specific address as set by a virtual-register-like pointer.  
     
     
         10 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 9 , wherein the virtual-register-like pointer includes a current pointer to state and address one specific operating system.  
     
     
         11 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 7 , further comprising incrementing the current pointer to describe changes in the operating system.  
     
     
         12 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 7 , wherein the virtual-register-like pointer includes a second pointer to state which module to load for a specific operating system.  
     
     
         13 . An information handling system, comprising: 
 a processor for executing a program of instructions on the information handling system;    a memory coupled to the processor for storing the program of instructions executable by said processor;    a device coupled to the processor; and    a data recorder coupled to the device;    wherein the program of instructions configures the information handling system to determine an operating system type, save the operating system type to the data recorder, and load a firmware module based on the saved type.    
     
     
         14 . The information handling system as described in  claim 13 , wherein the information handling system determines the operating system by comparing at least one of the dates, time and number of bytes of the operating system.  
     
     
         15 . The information handling system as described in  claim 13 , further comprising saving the operating system type in a specific address as set by a virtual-register-like pointer.  
     
     
         16 . The information handling system as described in  claim 15 , wherein the virtual-register-like pointer includes a current pointer to state and address one specific operating system.  
     
     
         17 . The information handling system as described in  claim 16 , further comprising incrementing the current pointer to describe changes in the operating system.  
     
     
         18 . The information handling system as described in  claim 16 , wherein the virtual-register-like pointer includes a second pointer to state which module to load for a specific operating system.  
     
     
         19 . A method for restoring a corrupted data structure with device self stored repair tools, comprising: 
 determining whether a data structure of an operating system is corrupted; and    restoring the data structure from data recorder data if the data structure is corrupted.    
     
     
         20 . The method as described in  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 determining if data structure changed;    determining if changes are valid;    creating backup if changes are valid; and    restoring original structure from data recorder if changes are not valid.    
     
     
         21 . The method as described in  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 determining whether a diagnostic boot has been engaged; and    booting basic input/output system to data recorder if diagnostic boot has been engaged.    
     
     
         22 . The method as described in  claim 19 , wherein the determining step comprises comparing performance data saved on a data recorder to the data structure to determine whether the data structure is corrupted.  
     
     
         23 . A program of instructions storable on a medium readable by an information handling system for causing the information handling system to execute steps for restoring a corrupted data structure with device self stored repair tools, the steps comprising: 
 determining whether a data structure of an operating system is corrupted; and    restoring the data structure from data recorder data if the data structure is corrupted.    
     
     
         24 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 determining if data structure changed;    determining if changes are valid;    creating backup if changes are valid; and    restoring original structure from data recorder if changes are not valid.    
     
     
         25 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 determining whether a diagnostic boot has been engaged; and    booting basic input/output system to data recorder if diagnostic boot has been engaged.    
     
     
         26 . The program of instructions as described in  claim 23 , wherein the determining step comprises comparing performance data saved on a data recorder to the data structure to determine whether the data structure is corrupted.  
     
     
         27 . An information handling system, comprising: 
 a processor for executing a program of instructions on the information handling system;    a memory coupled to the processor for storing the program of instructions executable by said processor;    a device coupled to the processor; and    a data recorder coupled to the device;    wherein the program of instructions configures the information handling system to determine whether a data structure of an operating system is corrupted and restore the data structure from data recorder data if the data structure is corrupted.    
     
     
         28 . The information handling system as described in  claim 27 , further comprising: 
 determining if data structure changed;    determining if changes are valid;    creating backup if changes are valid; and    restoring original structure from the data recorder if changes are not valid.    
     
     
         29 . The information handling system as described in  claim 27 , further comprising: 
 determining whether a diagnostic boot has been engaged; and    booting basic input/output system to the data recorder if the diagnostic boot is engaged.    
     
     
         30 . The information handling system as described in  claim 27 , wherein the information handling system determines whether the data structure of the operating system is corrupted by comparing performance data saved on the data recorder to the data structure.