Abstract: Method, system, and storage media for remotely installing a virtual service processor (VSP) to a computing device are disclosed. The computer device initiates a preboot execution environment (PXE) client and receives a VSP installation file from a PXE server. The VSP installation file includes a VSP file, a universal plug and play (UPnP) service file, and a remote procedure call (RPC) service file. The UPnP service is discoverable by a management station in a network through UPnP. The computer device initiates a RPC service based on the RPC service file, sends hardware information of the computing device to the management station through the RPC service, receives configuration parameters for the VSP through the RPC service. The RPC service installs the VSP based on the VSP installation file and the configuration parameters.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method of performing a virtual media redirection. The method includes: (a) establishing a Web Socket connection between a web server of a baseboard management controller (BMC) and a browser program of a computing device in a network, the BMC performing a management function of a host computer; (b) emulating, at the BMC, virtual media to the host computer; (c) receiving, at the BMC, a read command from the host computer and directed to the emulated virtual media, the read command specifying a first file; (d) in response to the read command, sending, at the BMC, a request for the first file according to the read command to the browser program through the Web Socket connection; and (e) receiving, at the web server, the first file from the browser program through the Web Socket connection.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure relate to a system and method for performing intelligent virtual desktop infrastructure (iVDI) using volatile memory arrays. The system has a hypervisor server and a storage server in communication via a file sharing protocol. A random access memory (RAM) disk is launched on a volatile memory array using a RAM disk driver. The RAM disk driver then assigns local and remote storages of the storage server as primary and secondary backup storages for the RAM disk. A group of virtual machine (VM) images is deployed to the RAM disk, and deduplication is performed on the VM images to release some memory space of the RAM disk. The deploying and deduplicating of the VM images continues repeatedly until the RAM disk is almost full. Then, the VM images in the RAM disk are copied to the backup storages as backup copies.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a system for replicating BIOS setting data (BIOSSD) across computers. The system includes a plurality of computers, and each computer is connected to a service processor (SP). Each computer includes a BIOS chip, which stores a first BIOSSD collection. The SP stores a second BIOSSD collection. When the first BIOSSD collection is newer, the SP receives a copy of the first BIOSSD collection from the computer to replace the second BIOSSD collection. When the second BIOSSD collection is newer, the SP transmits a copy of the second BIOSSD collection to the computer to replace the first BIOSSD collection in the BIOS chip. A remote management may request and obtain from the SP the updated second BIOSSD collection such that the remote management computer may send the copy the updated second BIOSSD collection to other SP's for update.

Abstract: A method of flashing a BIOS memory of a computer system is described herein. The method includes executing a kernel of baseboard management controller (BMC) to create a partition for the BMC memory and a second partition for the BIOS memory; detecting whether the host processor is accessing the BIOS memory; controlling a multiplexer (MUX) to allow the first processor to access the BIOS memory when the host processor is not accessing the BIOS memory; and retrieving first BIOS software from the BMC memory and writing the first BIOS software to the BIOS memory.

Abstract: An aspect relates to fail safe flashing techniques for a management device of a computer system. A non-volatile memory of the management device stores a current firmware, an actual critical information and a backup critical information, which is rewritable in a booting mode and read-only in a flash mode. A flasher module is launched to operate the management device in the flash mode. The actual critical information is copied to a volatile memory and erased in the non-volatile memory. A replacement firmware is used to upgrade the current firmware. The actual critical information is mixed and matched with a new critical information. A user input is requested to write the mixed and matched critical information back to the non-volatile memory as the actual critical information. When the user input is not received after a first predetermined time period, the mixed and matched critical information is automatically written back.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an Emergency Alert System (EAS) display controller. The EAS display controller includes: (a) a processor, (b) a network interface controller configurable to be in communication with an out-of-band network, (c) a communication-interface controller configurable to be in communication with a signage device and in compliance with a control standard, a memory storing firmware. The firmware is configured to, when executed by the processor, (a) establish an out-of-band communication channel with at least one EAS message source, (b) receive an EAS message from the at least one EAS message source through the out-of-band channel, (c) extract an alert message from the EAS message, (d) construct a signage device control command in accordance with the control standard, and (e) send the command to the signage device to instruct the signage device to display the alert message.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to a digital signage display system. In one embodiment, the digital signage display system includes: a camera configured to capture an image frame; a service processor in communication to the camera; and a digital signage display. The service processor includes a processor and a non-volatile memory storing a firmware. The firmware is configured, when executed at the processor, to process the captured image frame, detect persons in the image frame, generate a demographic-map data structure, and send the demographic-map data structure to a server system. The demographic-map data structure contains demographic information of the persons detected in the image frame. The digital signage display is configured to receive a display content provided by the server system in response to the demographic-map data structure.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods of managing and delivering digital media content data. In certain embodiments, a management device in communication to a computing device via a universal serial bus (USB) connector is provided. The management device has a processor, a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory includes a first partition storing a firmware and a second partition. When executed at the processor, the firmware emulates an emulated bootable storage device for the computing device at the USB connector. In response to an access instruction from the computing device to access data stored at an emulated address of the emulated bootable storage device, the management device converts the emulated address to a physical address of the second partition, and accesses the data at the physical address. The data includes digital media content data and a control module configured to play the content data.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method of performing web-based keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) redirection implemented by a baseboard management controller (BMC). The method includes: (a) receiving, at a BMC, first and second video frames redirected from a host computer, the BMC performing a management function of the host computer, (b) generating a webpage at a web server of the BMC and sending the webpage to a browser program running on a computing device in a network, the webpage being programmed to instruct the browser program to initiate a drawable area and to establish a Web Socket connection with the web server, (c) generating a processed image representing the second video frame, (d) establishing a Web Socket connection between the web server and the browser program, and (e) sending the processed image to the browser program through the Web Socket connection.

Abstract: An aspect relates to fail safe flashing techniques for a management device of a computer system. A non-volatile memory of the management device stores a current firmware, an actual critical information and a backup critical information, which is rewritable in a booting mode and read-only in a flash mode. A flasher module is launched to operate the management device in the flash mode. The actual critical information is copied to a volatile memory and erased in the non-volatile memory. A replacement firmware is used to upgrade the current firmware. The actual critical information is mixed and matched with a new critical information. A user input is requested to write the mixed and matched critical information back to the non-volatile memory as the actual critical information. When the user input is not received after a first predetermined time period, the mixed and matched critical information is automatically written back.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a computer-implemented method for managing at least one network interface of a computer system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of executing of a boot loader to initialize a dedicated network interface and a side-band network interface, determining if a boot loader priority setting designates a preference to use one of a detected dedicated network interface or side-band network interface, determining if preferred network interface is available for use, then passing the priority setting to an operating system to use for network communications during run time.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method of performing a virtual media redirection. The method includes: (a) establishing a Web Socket connection between a web server of a baseboard management controller (BMC) and a browser program of a computing device in a network, the BMC performing a management function of a host computer; (b) emulating, at the BMC, virtual media to the host computer; (c) receiving, at the BMC, a read command from the host computer and directed to the emulated virtual media, the read command specifying a first file; (d) in response to the read command, sending, at the BMC, a request for the first file according to the read command to the browser program through the Web Socket connection; and (e) receiving, at the web server, the first file from the browser program through the Web Socket connection.

Abstract: System and method for installation of a virtual service processor (VSP) are disclosed. The system include a computer that has a processor, a physical drive having a first partition and a master boot record (MBR) with initial settings indicating the first partition as an active bootable partition, and a non-transitory computer storage medium having computer-executable instructions. The instructions cause the processor to (a) load and execute a hypervisor from the computer storage medium, the hypervisor having a privileged domain and an unprivileged domain; (b) initiate a VSP in the privileged domain, the VSP being configured to manage at least one health, operation, or performance related aspect of the computer system; (c) configure the unprivileged domain to allow an operating system to run therein, the operating system (OS) being executable directly on the computer system; and (d) load and execute the OS in the unprivileged domain.

Abstract: Method, system, and storage media for remotely installing a virtual service processor (VSP) to a computing device are disclosed. The computer device initiates a preboot execution environment (PXE) client and receives a VSP installation file from a PXE server. The VSP installation file includes a VSP file, a universal plug and play (UPnP) service file, and a remote procedure call (RPC) service file. The UPnP service is discoverable by a management station in a network through UPnP. The computer device initiates a RPC service based on the RPC service file, sends hardware information of the computing device to the management station through the RPC service, receives configuration parameters for the VSP through the RPC service. The RPC service installs the VSP based on the VSP installation file and the configuration parameters.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method of performing web-based keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) redirection implemented by a baseboard management controller (BMC). The method includes: (a) receiving, at a BMC, first and second video frames redirected from a host computer, the BMC performing a management function of the host computer, (b) generating a webpage at a web server of the BMC and sending the webpage to a browser program running on a computing device in a network, the webpage being programmed to instruct the browser program to initiate a drawable area and to establish a Web Socket connection with the web server, (c) generating a processed image representing the second video frame, (d) establishing a Web Socket connection between the web server and the browser program, and (e) sending the processed image to the browser program through the Web Socket connection.

Abstract: In one aspect, the a system for charging an electrical storage device of a computer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one user input device that is operatively connected to the computer and configured to communicate input data to the computer in response to an action of a user. The input device has one or more transducers that are configured to receive a mechanical force resulting from user input to the input device and to convert the received mechanical force into electrical energy. The input device also has a connector that is configured to operatively connect the user input device to the electrical storage device of the computer and to deliver the electrical energy from the user input device to the electrical storage device.

Abstract: A method of flashing a BIOS memory of a computer system is described herein. The method includes executing a kernel of baseboard management controller (BMC) to create a partition for the BMC memory and a second partition for the BIOS memory; detecting whether the host processor is accessing the BIOS memory; controlling a multiplexer (MUX) to allow the first processor to access the BIOS memory when the host processor is not accessing the BIOS memory; and retrieving first BIOS software from the BMC memory and writing the first BIOS software to the BIOS memory.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a computer-implemented method for managing a computer system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the computer system includes a processor that is programmed to cause the computer system to perform specific functions.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a computer system, including: a hypervisor configured to run on a CPU and to provide a first domain; and a virtual baseboard management controller (BMC) stack configured to run in the first domain or as part of the hypervisor. Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions executable by at least one processor, the instructions including loading a virtual baseboard management controller (BMC) stack in a first domain of, or as a part of, a hypervisor running on the processor.