Importance

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Abstract

A server function is provided in a hardware machine which is divided into a plurality of logical partitions, each of which functions as a virtual hardware machine. The hardware machine has a non-user-accessible storage device for storing machine control code and other non-user-accessible code and, optionally, a user-accessible storage device for storing applications and other user-accessible code. Defined partition types include server mode partitions that are inaccessible to a user and non-server mode partitions that are accessible to a user. The hardware machine is divided into one or more logical partitions including at least one server mode partitions and, optionally, one or more non-server mode partitions. Server code for providing the server function is stored on the non-user-accessible storage device and is loaded into the server mode partition from the non-user-accessible storage device in response to an activation signal to enable the server mode partition. Each partition has a stored mode indicator identifying it as either a server mode partition or a non-server mode partition. Loading of server code into a target partition is inhibited if the stored mode indicator indicates that the target partition is a non-server mode partition. Conversely, user attempts to access a target partition are inhibited if the stored mode indicator indicates that the target partition is a server partition.

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First Claim