Abstract: In one embodiment, a method generates first entropy using a true random number generator in a management computer configured to manage a main computer in a computing device. The main computer controls a set of physical nodes including a set of services running in a set of virtual machines. The method then provides the first entropy to the main computer and the first entropy is combined with second entropy generated by the main computer to generate third entropy. The third entropy is provided to the set of physical nodes where the set of virtual machines access the third entropy via a hypervisor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include network cables that include a number of inter-integrated circuit communication addressable components in the connector heads. The inter-integrated circuit communication addressable components include signal translators and switches for communicating with environmental and electrical sensors, memories, and controllers in the connector heads and the computers or network interface cards to which they are coupled. Such embodiments allow for localized monitoring of environmental and operational data as well as location or server computer specific control of networked-server operations. Such information and control is useful in reducing the cost and increasing the efficiency of server farm installation cooling, maintenance, operation, and troubleshooting.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method receives a software command from a software element in a main computer at a management computer via an application programming interface (API) included in the management computer. The management computer manages the main computer, and the main computer controls services for a distributed computing system. The management computer then determines a hardware device associated with the software command where the management computer includes a communication pathway to the hardware device. The management computer translates the software command to a hardware command that the hardware device can process where the hardware device cannot process the software command. Then, the management computer sends the hardware command to the hardware device via the communication pathway where the management computer provides the API to allow the software element to communicate with the hardware element without the software element having to translate the software command to the hardware command.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method provides a first orchestration service instance for managing a set of containers operating on a controller node where the controller node controls a set of physical nodes. The method also provides a set of second orchestration service instances for managing a set of first services operating in the set of containers where a second orchestration service instance in a container manages a respective first service in the container. The set of physical nodes include a set of third orchestration service instances for managing a set of second services operating on the set of physical nodes. The first orchestration instance, the set of second orchestration service instances, and the set of third orchestration service instances communicate through a shared communication service that maintains a global state of the controller node, the set of containers, and the set of physical nodes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method receives a software upgrade package for a management computer and main computer. The management computer upgrades software of the management computer using the software upgrade package where the upgrading replaces an image of the software of the management computer with an image from the software upgrade package. Upon upgrade of the management computer, the management computer initiates an upgrade of the main computer. The main computer withdraws use of the services, and upon the withdrawing, the management computer reboots the main computer. Then, the main computer upgrades software of the main computer using the software upgrade package upon rebooting where the upgrading replaces an image of the software of the main computer with an image from the software upgrade package. Upon the upgrading, the main computer restores the use of the services.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method detects a failure of a container in a controller node where the container includes a service being performed and isolated from other services being performed in other containers on the controller node. The controller node terminates the container including the service and determines a known state for the service. The known state is known to be operational without including a cause of the failure and the service operated from the known state saving changes to the known state during operation separately from the known state. The controller node restarts the service in a new container that replaces the terminated container where the restarted service starts from the known state without using the changes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include network cables that include a number of inter-integrated circuit communication addressable components in the connector heads. The inter-integrated circuit communication addressable components include signal translators and switches for communicating with environmental and electrical sensors, memories, and controllers in the connector heads and the computers or network interface cards to which they are coupled. Such embodiments allow for localized monitoring of environmental and operational data as well as location or server computer specific control of networked-server operations. Such information and control is useful in reducing the cost and increasing the efficiency of server farm installation cooling, maintenance, operation, and troubleshooting.

Abstract: The disclosed implementations include a hardware appliance and method of using that appliance that may be configured to be coupled with commodity server nodes to provide a fault tolerant and available private cloud. The implementations can use a host for software containers and a switch to communicate with external networks and cloud nodes. Thus, this cloud controller appliance can provide a system to deploy a private cloud within an enterprise.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include network cables that include a number of inter-integrated circuit communication addressable components in the connector heads. The inter-integrated circuit communication addressable components include signal translators and switches for communicating with environmental and electrical sensors, memories, and controllers in the connector heads and the computers or network interface cards to which they are coupled. Such embodiments allow for localized monitoring of environmental and operational data as well as location or server computer specific control of networked-server operations. Such information and control is useful in reducing the cost and increasing the efficiency of server farm installation cooling, maintenance, operation, and troubleshooting.