When a system fails and freezes (hereafter referred to as “hangs up”), it is necessary to perform a task such as rebooting the system. It may be difficult to physically reset the system at a time when people cannot operate it, at a location where the system is not easily accessible by people, or perhaps due to a shortage of personnel, it may be difficult to find people who can handle the situation. Since the system is stopped, it is also difficult to operate it remotely. This is where the watchdog (WD) mechanism comes in.
