What is claimed is:
1. A method of configuring a client computer connected to a network, wherein a remote computer is capable of communicating with the client computer over the network, comprising:
storing sets of configuration parameters in a non-volatile storage unit, wherein the sets of configuration parameters instruct at least one program how to initialize operational parameters and load programs into the client computer memory during a power on; and
for each set of configuration parameters, storing a token in the non-volatile storage unit indicating access rights to the set of configuration parameters, wherein the token specifies whether management entities running on the remote computer and client computer can access the set of configuration parameters for that token.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein each token specifies at least one management entity, wherein only the management entity specified in the token has access rights to the set of configuration parameters associated with that token, wherein at least one token specifies one management entity at the client computer and at least one other token specifies one management entity at the remote computer.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one program is capable of comprising a boot program, operating system or application program.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the client computer and remote computer are capable of modifying the access rights specified in the token if the access rights permit the client computer or remote computer requesting the modification write access to the set of configuration parameters, further comprising:
storing modifications in the non-volatile storage unit from the client computer or remote computer to the access rights specified in the token for one set of configuration parameters, wherein the modifications are made to the token if the client computer or remote computer initiating the modifications is indicated in the access writes as having write access.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the access rights in one token specify one application program in the remote computer or client program that can modify the set of configuration parameters.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
launching a configuration program from a removable storage unit interfaced with the client computer, wherein the configuration program is used to modify sets of configuration parameters in the non-volatile storage unit.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:
launching a setup program from the removable storage unit during a power on when the client computer has not previously been configured;
receiving settings for at least one set of configuration parameters via the setup program; and
storing the received settings in the non-volatile storage unit, wherein the configuration program is launched to provide an interface to allow the user to set configuration parameters for other sets of configuration parameters.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sets of configuration associated with the tokens include at least one of the following sets of configuration parameters:
network configuration parameters indicating network settings the client computer uses to communicate over the network;
operating system configuration parameters for an operating system loaded into the client computer memory;
application configuration parameters indicating parameters for application programs loaded into the client computer memory;
user configuration parameters indicating settings for a user interface displayed at the client computer; and
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) configuration parameters.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
launching a setup program from the removable storage unit during a power on when the client computer has not previously been configured;
receiving settings for network configuration parameters indicating a network address for the client computer through the setup program;
receiving operating system configuration parameters for an operating system kernel to load into the client computer memory through the setup program; and
storing the network and operating system configuration parameters received through the setup program in the non-volatile storage unit.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising launching a configuration program from the setup program to receive application configuration parameters for application programs to load into the client computer memory and user interface configuration parameters.
10. The method of claim 1, further performing beginning an initialization routine after a power on event, wherein if the client computer was previously configured, during the initialization performing:
loading network configuration parameters stored in the non-volatile storage unit indicating a network address for the client computer to use; and
loading operating system configuration parameters when loading an operating system kernel.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the operating system is loaded from the removable storage unit interfacing with the client computer.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the operating system configuration parameters indicate a remote server on the network including the operating system kernel, further comprising during the initialization:
downloading the operating system kernel from the remote server indicated in the operating system configuration parameters; and
loading the downloaded operating system kernel into the client computer.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
loading at least one application program indicated in the application configuration parameters into the memory of the client computer.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
accessing the at least one application program from a remote server over the network or from the removable storage unit interfacing with the client computer, wherein the accessed at least one application program is loaded into the client computer memory.
15. A system for configuring a client computer connected to a network, wherein a remote computer is capable of communicating with the client computer over the network, comprising:
a non-volatile storage unit;
a processor capable of accessing the non-volatile storage unit;
a computer readable medium including program code accessible to the processor,
wherein the processor executes the program code to perform:
(i) storing sets of configuration parameters in the non-volatile storage unit, wherein the sets of configuration parameters instruct at least one program how to initialize operational parameters and load programs into the client computer memory during a power on; and
(ii) for each set of configuration parameters, storing a token in the non-volatile storage unit indicating access rights to the set of configuration parameters, wherein the token specifies whether management entities running on the remote computer and client computer can access the set of configuration parameters for that token.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein each token specifies at least one management entity, wherein only the management entity specified in the token has access rights to the set of configuration parameters associated with that token, wherein at least one token specifies one management entity at the client computer and at least one other token specifies one management entity at the remote computer.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one program code includes a boot program, operating system or application program.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the client computer and remote computer are capable of modifying the access rights specified in the token if the access rights permit the client computer or remote computer requesting the modification write access to the set of configuration parameters, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the client computer processor to perform:
storing modifications in the non-volatile storage unit from the client computer or remote computer to the access rights specified in the token for one set of configuration parameters, wherein the modifications are made to the token if the client computer or remote computer initiating the modifications is indicated in the access writes as having write access.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the access rights in one token specify one application program in the remote computer or client program that can modify the set of configuration parameters.
20. The system of claim 18, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the client computer processor to perform:
launching a configuration program from a removable storage unit interfaced with the client computer, wherein the configuration program is used to modify sets of configuration parameters in the non-volatile storage unit.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the client computer processor to perform:
launching a setup program from the removable storage unit during a power on when the client computer has not previously been configured;
receiving settings for at least one set of configuration parameters via the setup program; and
storing the received settings in the non-volatile storage unit, wherein the configuration program is launched to provide an interface to allow the user to set configuration parameters for other sets of configuration parameters.
22. The system of claim 15, wherein the sets of configuration associated with the tokens include at least one of the following sets of configuration parameters:
network configuration parameters indicating network settings the client computer uses to communicate over the network;
operating system configuration parameters for an operating system loaded into the client computer memory;
application configuration parameters indicating parameters for application programs loaded into the client computer memory;
user configuration parameters indicating settings for a user interface displayed at the client computer; and
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) configuration parameters.
23. The system of claim 15, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the client computer processor to perform:
launching a setup program from the removable storage unit during a power on when the client computer has not previously been configured;
receiving settings for network configuration parameters indicating a network address for the client computer through the setup program;
receiving operating system configuration parameters for an operating system kernel to load into the client computer memory through the setup program; and
storing the network and operating system configuration parameters received through the setup program in the non-volatile storage unit.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the client computer processor to perform launching a configuration program from the setup program to receive application configuration parameters for application programs to load into the client computer memory and user interface configuration parameters.
25. The system of claim 15, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the client computer processor to perform beginning an initialization routine after a power on event, wherein if the client computer was previously configured, during the initialization performing:
loading network configuration parameters stored in the non-volatile storage unit indicating a network address for the client computer to use; and
loading operating system configuration parameters when loading an operating system kernel.
26. The system of claim 25, wherein the operating system is loaded from the removable storage unit interfacing with the client computer.
27. The system of claim 25, wherein the operating system configuration parameters indicate a remote server on the network including the operating system kernel, further wherein the program code is further capable of causing the client computer processor to perform during the initialization:
downloading the operating system kernel from the remote server indicated in the operating system configuration parameters; and
loading the downloaded operating system kernel into the client computer.
28. The system of claim 25, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the client computer processor to perform:
loading at least one application program indicated in the application configuration parameters into the memory of the client computer.
29. The system of claim 28, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the client computer processor to perform:
accessing the at least one application program from a remote server over the network or from the removable storage unit interfacing with the client computer, wherein the accessed at least one application program is loaded into the client computer memory.
30. A program of configuring a client computer connected to a network, wherein a remote computer is capable of communicating with the client computer over the network, wherein the program includes code embedded in a computer readable medium capable of causing a processor to perform:
storing sets of configuration parameters in a non-volatile storage unit, wherein the sets of configuration parameters instruct at least one program how to initialize operational parameters and load programs into the client computer memory during a power on; and
for each set of configuration parameters, storing a token in the non-volatile storage unit indicating access rights to the set of configuration parameters, wherein the token specifies whether management entities running on the remote computer and client computer can access the set of configuration parameters for that token.
31. The program of claim 30, wherein each token specifies at least one management entity, wherein only the management entity specified in the token has access rights to the set of configuration parameters associated with that token, wherein at least one token specifies one management entity at the client computer and at least one other token specifies one management entity at the remote computer.
32. The program of claim 30, wherein the at least one program is capable of comprising a boot program, operating system or application program.
33. The program of claim 30, wherein the client computer and remote computer are capable of modifying the access rights specified in the token if the access rights permit the client computer or remote computer requesting the modification write access to the set of configuration parameters, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the processor to perform:
storing modifications in the non-volatile storage unit from the client computer or remote computer to the access rights specified in the token for one set of configuration parameters, wherein the modifications are made to the token if the client computer or remote computer initiating the modifications is indicated in the access writes as having write access.
34. The program of claim 33, wherein the access rights in one token specify one application program in the remote computer or client program that can modify the set of configuration parameters.
35. The program of claim 30, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the processor to perform:
launching a configuration program from a removable storage unit interfaced with the client computer, wherein the configuration program is used to modify sets of configuration parameters in the non-volatile storage unit.
36. The program of claim 35, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the processor to perform:
launching a setup program from the removable storage unit during a power on when the client computer has not previously been configured;
receiving settings for at least one set of configuration parameters via the setup program; and
storing the received settings in the non-volatile storage unit, wherein the configuration program is launched to provide an interface to allow the user to set configuration parameters for other sets of configuration parameters.
37. The program of claim 30, wherein the sets of configuration associated with the tokens include at least one of the following sets of configuration parameters:
network configuration parameters indicating network settings the client computer uses to communicate over the network;
operating system configuration parameters for an operating system loaded into the client computer memory;
application configuration parameters indicating parameters for application programs loaded into the client computer memory;
user configuration parameters indicating settings for a user interface displayed at the client computer; and
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) configuration parameters.
38. The program of claim 30, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the processor to perform:
launching a setup program from the removable storage unit during a power on when the client computer has not previously been configured;
receiving settings for network configuration parameters indicating a network address for the client computer through the setup program;
receiving operating system configuration parameters for an operating system kernel to load into the client computer memory through the setup program; and
storing the network and operating system configuration parameters received through the setup program in the non-volatile storage unit.
39. The program of claim 38, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the processor to perform launching a configuration program from the setup program to receive application configuration parameters for application programs to load into the client computer memory and user interface configuration parameters.
40. The program of claim 30, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the processor to perform beginning an initialization routine after a power on event, wherein if the client computer was previously configured, during the initialization performing:
loading network configuration parameters stored in the non-volatile storage unit indicating a network address for the client computer to use; and
loading operating system configuration parameters when loading an operating system kernel.
41. The program of claim 30, wherein the operating system is loaded from the removable storage unit interfacing with the client computer.
42. The program of claim 40, wherein the operating system configuration parameters indicate a remote server on the network including the operating system kernel, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the processor to perform:
downloading the operating system kernel from the remote server indicated in the operating system configuration parameters; and
loading the downloaded operating system kernel into the client computer.
43. The program of claim 30, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the processor to perform:
loading at least one application program indicated in the application configuration parameters into the memory of the client computer.
44. The program of claim 43, wherein the program code is further capable of causing the processor to perform:
accessing the at least one application program from a remote server over the network or from the removable storage unit interfacing with the client computer, wherein the accessed at least one application program is loaded into the client computer memory.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method of wastewater treatment, the method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a first vessel for holding and digesting wastewater with a facultative heterotrophic bacteria as the dominant microbial population,
b) admitting wastewater into the first vessel,
c) providing a second vessel for the growth of autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria having autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria as the dominant microbial population,
d) removing a predetermined portion of fluid from the first vessel,
e) admitting at least a part of the predetermined portion of fluid into the second vessel,
f) providing restricted fluid communication between the first and second vessel whereby the portion of fluid admitted to the second vessel remains in the second vessel for a sufficient amount of time to replenish the volume of the first vessel with autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria where the facultative heterotrophic bacteria are the dominant microbial population.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second vessel is disposed within the first vessel.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the second vessel is provided with a repository for a staffing culture of autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria convert ammonia to nitrite (NO2) in at least the first vessel.
5. The method of claim 1 in which the facultative bacteria within the first vessel strip the oxygen from the nitrite and convert it to gaseous nitrogen thereby denitrifying the effluent.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the second vessel for the production of the ammonia oxidizing bacteria is created by partitioning a portion of the first vessel to close off a water column from the rest of the liquid in the entire first vessel wherein the partition extends upward above the fluid surface to preclude fluid passing over the partition.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the bottom of the column or side partitions is closed limiting flow from the outer vessel into the first vessel.
8. The method of claim 1 whereby a pump is used to remove the predetermined portion of fluid from the first vessel.
9. The method of claim 1 whereby the predetermined portion of fluid being introduced into the second vessel contains sufficient ammonia to support a colony of ammonia oxidizing bacteria.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the second vessel has a reserve of inorganic carbon.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein organic carbon is depleted in the first vessel due to the prolonged aerobic treatment time thereby inhibiting the growth of facultative heterotrophs.
12. The method of claim 11 whereby digestion of the carbon creates mineral carbonates fostering the growth of autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria in the second vessel.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least a part of the predetermined portion of liquid admitted to the second vessels displaces liquid from the second vessel forcing it out into the first vessel.
14. The method of claim 13 whereby the displaced liquid is enriched with autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria.
15. The method of claim 6 the autotrophic ammonia oxidizing and facultative heterotrophic bacteria jointly provide a denitrifying reaction that is sustained through the steady inoculation of the more sensitive autotrophs into the portion of the first vessel that is outside of the partition that forms the second vessel.
16. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a third treatment vessel that is aerated for sustaining a colony of facultative heterotrophic bacteria wherein the flow of fluid between the first vessel and the third vessel is less restrictive than that between the first and second vessel.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined portion of fluid admitted into the second vessel has a mean residence time of less than 7 days and greater than about 12 hours.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined portion of fluid admitted into the second vessel has a mean residence time of less than about 4 days and greater than about 2 days.
19. A method of wastewater treatment, the method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a wastewater treatment vessel,
b) admitting wastewater to the treatment vessel,
c) providing an at least partially isolated zone within the wastewater treatment vessel,
d) fostering the growth of autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria in the at least partially isolated zone wherein the autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria are moved from the at least partially isolated zone to the surrounding treatment vessel in which facultative heterotrophic bacteria are the dominant microbial population.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria convert ammonia to nitrite (NO2) the treatment vessel.
21. The method of claim 20 in which the facultative bacteria within the treatment vessel strip the oxygen from the nitrite and convert it to gaseous nitrogen thereby denitrifying the effluent.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein the zone of production of the ammonia oxidizing bacteria is created by inserting a column or installing side partitions that close off a water column from the rest of the liquid in the entire treatment vessel and extend upward so that no flow passes over the partition.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the bottom of the column or side partitions is closed limiting flow from the outer vessel into the interior confined space.
24. The method of claim 23 further comprising said step of pumping a controlled flow of liquid into the isolated zone from the surrounding waste water treatment vessel.
25. The method of claim 21 whereby the liquid in the surrounding waste water treatment vessel retains nitrogen in the form of ammonia due to the activity of the facultative bacteria in preventing establishment of nitrate producing bacteria.
26. The method of claim 23 further comprising said step of pumping a controlled flow of liquid into the isolated zone, the fluid containing sufficient ammonia to support a colony of ammonia oxidizing bacteria.
27. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of:
a) providing a second at least partially isolated zone within the wastewater treatment vessel, and
b) fostering the growth of facultative heterotrophic bacteria in the second at least partially isolated zone.
28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of:
a) pumping liquid from the wastewater treatment vessel to the first at least partially isolated zone that fosters the growth of autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria,
b) wherein the mean residence time of fluid with the first at least partially isolated zone is substantially longer than that fluid in the second at least partially isolated zone within the wastewater treatment vessel.
29. A method of wastewater treatment, the method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a wastewater treatment vessel,
b) admitting wastewater to the treatment vessel,
c) providing an at least partially isolated zone within the wastewater treatment vessel,
d) fostering the growth of autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria in the at least partially isolated zone further comprising the step of providing prolonged aerobic treatment to the wastewater treatment vessel to inhibit the growth of facultative heterotrophs therein.
30. A method of wastewater treatment, the method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a wastewater treatment vessel,
b) admitting wastewater to the treatment vessel,
c) providing an at least partially isolated zone within the wastewater treatment vessel,
d) fostering the growth of autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria in the at least partially isolated zone whereby the digestion of the carbon creates mineral carbonates fostering the growth of autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria in the at least partially confined zone.
31. The method of claim 24 whereby said step of pumping displaces liquid from within the at least partially confined zone out into the wastewater treatment vessel.
32. The method of claim 31 whereby the fluid displaced from the at least partially confined zone region is enriched with autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria.
33. The method of claim 19 whereby the denitrifying reaction carried out by the joint action of the autotrophic ammonia oxidizing and facultative heterotrophic bacteria is sustained through the steady inoculation of the more sensitive autotrophs from at least one of the partially confined zones into the wastewater treatment vessel.
34. An apparatus for wastewater treatment, the apparatus comprising:
a) a first treatment vessel having at least one portal for entry wastewater to be treated,
b) a first aerated sub-chamber in substantial fluid communication with the first treatment vessel for supporting a colony of facultative heterotrophic bacteria,
c) a second aerated sub-chamber in limited fluid communication with at least one of the first treatment vessel and the first aerated sub-chamber for supporting a colony of autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria,
d) a pump for removing a limited portion of the wastewater under treatment from at least one of the first treatment vessel and the first aerated sub-chamber for the delivery to the second aerated sub-chamber, and
e) a second portal for the removal of treated water from a portion of the first treatment vessel that excludes the second aerated sub-chamber wherein only a fraction of the wastewater entering said first treatment vessel is capable of entering the second aerated sub-chamber.
35. An apparatus for wastewater treatment according to claim 34 wherein the first aerated sub-chamber has an upper opening to be submerged below the wastewater in the first vessel.
36. An apparatus for wastewater treatment according to claim 35 wherein the second aerated sub-chamber has a substantially sealed upper opening.
37. An apparatus for wastewater treatment according to claim 35 wherein the second aerated sub-chamber has an upper opening that is raised above the opening of the first aerated sub-chamber so that it is above the level of the wastewater in the first vessel.
38. An apparatus for wastewater treatment according to claim 35 wherein the second aerator has a central tube, surrounding porous packing for supporting the bacteria.