Abstract: A system and method for information handling system manufacture analyzes an image to determine a traits definition that identifies the operating system, applications and unique information of the image, such as in a XML file. The image traits definition may be communicated to a manufacture site over a network and used to re-create the image for copying to a manufactured information handling system. Communication of the image traits definition consumes less network and storage resources than communication of the image, thus reducing the time and expense of image transfers to manufacture information handling systems.

Abstract: A system for manufacture of information handling systems is disclosed. The system includes an image analyzer operable to accept an image and generate an image traits definition wherein the image traits definition has a manifest of the image's software characteristics and customization settings, a remote image rebuilder distal to and interfaced with the image analyzer through a network wherein the remote image rebuilder operable to apply the image traits definition to an image components library to rebuild the image, and an information handling system burn rack proximate to the image rebuilder and operable to copy the rebuilt image to a manufactured information handling system.

Abstract: A system and method for information handling system manufacture analyzes an image to determine a traits definition that identifies the operating system, applications and unique information of the image, such as in a XML file. The image traits definition may be communicated to a manufacture site over a network and used to re-create the image for copying to a manufactured information handling system. Communication of the image traits definition consumes less network and storage resources than communication of the image, thus reducing the time and expense of image transfers to manufacture information handling systems.

Abstract: A system for manufacture of information handling systems is disclosed. The system includes an image analyzer operable to accept an image and generate an image traits definition wherein the image traits definition has a manifest of the image's software characteristics and customization settings, a remote image rebuilder distal to and interfaced with the image analyzer through a network wherein the remote image rebuilder operable to apply the image traits definition to an image components library to rebuild the image, and an information handling system burn rack proximate to the image rebuilder and operable to copy the rebuilt image to a manufactured information handling system.

Abstract: A system and method for information handling system manufacture analyzes an image to determine a traits definition that identifies the operating system, applications and unique information of the image, such as in a XML file. The image traits definition may be communicated to a manufacture site over a network and used to re-create the image for copying to a manufactured information handling system. Communication of the image traits definition consumes less network and storage resources than communication of the image, thus reducing the time and expense of image transfers to manufacture information handling systems.

Abstract: A system for manufacture of information handling systems is disclosed. The system includes an image analyzer operable to accept an image and generate an image traits definition wherein the image traits definition has a manifest of the image's software characteristics and customization settings, a remote image rebuilder distal to and interfaced with the image analyzer through a network wherein the remote image rebuilder operable to apply the image traits definition to an image components library to rebuild the image, and an information handling system burn rack proximate to the image rebuilder and operable to copy the rebuilt image to a manufactured information handling system.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for managing disk images used to manufacture information handling machines. In various embodiments of the invention, a disk image is initially created using an image builder server. A “definition,” also known as a “manifest,” of the image is stored on the image builder server using XML. Once the image is verified and accepted as a base disk image, it is designated as the “parent” image. Subsequently, one or more “children” images are created by copying and modifying the manifest of the parent image and creating a new entry. Predetermined linkage indicators are used to designate the association of the parent image with one or more child images. When the parent image is modified, the linkage indicators are used to propagate corresponding modifications to the associated child images, thereby ensuring coherency in the family of images.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for managing disk images used to manufacture information handling machines. In various embodiments of the invention, a disk image is initially created using an image builder server. A “definition,” also known as a “manifest,” of the image is stored on the image builder server using XML. Once the image is verified and accepted as a base disk image, it is designated as the “parent” image. Subsequently, one or more “children” images are created by copying and modifying the manifest of the parent image and creating a new entry. Predetermined linkage indicators are used to designate the association of the parent image with one or more child images. When the parent image is modified, the linkage indicators are used to propagate corresponding modifications to the associated child images, thereby ensuring coherency in the family of images.

Abstract: An information handling system image builder server associated with a manufacturer supports remote access by customers through networked communications, such as the Internet, to create images for loading on information handling systems manufactured for the customers. An image creation engine of the server accesses an image library to build an image with image components selected in accordance with customer parameters. The image is built on hardware or virtual test information handling systems interfaced with the image creation engine. Customers may remotely upload custom image components to the library, such as custom applications and settings, and remotely test the operation of the image on the test information handling systems before promoting the built image to a manufacture environment for manufacture of information handling systems with the image.

Abstract: A self-support module of an information handling system selectively downloads self-support updates for selected component categories from a self-support network location by periodically communicating component usage information to the network location for selection of self-support updates based on predetermined levels of component usage. For instance, a self-support usage analysis engine tracks inputs to the self-support module to identify information handling system hardware or software components that are the subject of user requests for self-support and provides the usage information to the network location to select self-support downloads of updates associated with hardware and software components subject to one or more requests for self-support.

Abstract: A system for manufacture of information handling systems is disclosed. The system includes an image analyzer operable to accept an image and generate an image traits definition wherein the image traits definition has a manifest of the image's software characteristics and customization settings, a remote image rebuilder distal to and interfaced with the image analyzer through a network wherein the remote image rebuilder operable to apply the image traits definition to an image components library to rebuild the image, and an information handling system burn rack proximate to the image rebuilder and operable to copy the rebuilt image to a manufactured information handling system.

Abstract: Alerts are targeted for display at an information handling system by associating conditions with alerts and downloading for display an alert only to information handling systems that meet the conditions of the alert. An alert list that includes alerts and associated conditions in an Extensible Mark-up Language file is periodically queried for retrieval at information handling systems and parsed to determine alerts targeted to the information handling system. Only relevant alerts are downloaded and displayed at each information handling system to minimize user distraction. Specific targeting is provided by logical expressions that may state conditional alert configuration parameters with precision to limit the number of information handling systems targeted for the alert to very specific configurations.

Abstract: Data migration directly from legacy to replacement information handling systems is managed over a set of one or more switches. The legacy information handling system boots with a manufacturing operating system provided from a data migration information handling system server and runs a data migration application also provided from the server. Running the data migration application over the manufacturing operating system avoids password protection of the legacy information handling system. A pair of target storage device keys interface with a legacy and associated replacement system to aid in location of the replacement system on the network for direct system-to-system data transfer.

Abstract: A system and method for information handling system manufacture analyzes an image to determine a traits definition that identifies the operating system, applications and unique information of the image, such as in a XML file. The image traits definition may be communicated to a manufacture site over a network and used to re-create the image for copying to a manufactured information handling system. Communication of the image traits definition consumes less network and storage resources than communication of the image, thus reducing the time and expense of image transfers to manufacture information handling systems.

Abstract: An information handling system image builder server associated with a manufacturer supports remote access by customers through networked communications, such as the Internet, to create images for loading on information handling systems manufactured for the customers. An image creation engine of the server accesses an image library to build an image with image components selected in accordance with customer parameters. The image is built on hardware or virtual test information handling systems interfaced with the image creation engine. Customers may remotely upload custom image components to the library, such as custom applications and settings, and remotely test the operation of the image on the test information handling systems before promoting the built image to a manufacture environment for manufacture of information handling systems with the image.

Abstract: HTML links published in an HTML framework, such as a web page, select execution of restricted functions requiring a distinct user confirmation. Encrypted protocols associate with the HTML links are decrypted by a web browser retrieving the HTML framework for execution of the restricted function without the distinct user confirmation. For instance, binaries and scripts that are restricted from running upon selection through a browser until a distinct user confirmation is made instead execute automatically with selection of the HTML link upon validation of the associated decrypted protocol. Encrypted protocols are created by content author with a private key for security and are decrypted with a public key at an information handling system that retrieves the content to validate the content and execute restricted functions without further user permission.

Abstract: A self-support module of an information handling system selectively downloads self-support updates for selected component categories from a self-support network location by periodically communicating component usage information to the network location for selection of self-support updates based on predetermined levels of component usage. For instance, a self-support usage analysis engine tracks inputs to the self-support module to identify information handling system hardware or software components that are the subject of user requests for self-support and provides the usage information to the network location to select self-support downloads of updates associated with hardware and software components subject to one or more requests for self-support.

Abstract: Alerts are targeted for display at an information handling system by associating conditions with alerts and downloading for display an alert only to information handling systems that meet the conditions of the alert. An alert list that includes alerts and associated conditions in an Extensible Mark-up Language file is periodically queried for retrieval at information handling systems and parsed to determine alerts targeted to the information handling system. Only relevant alerts are downloaded and displayed at each information handling system to minimize user distraction. Specific targeting is provided by logical expressions that may state conditional alert configuration parameters with precision to limit the number of information handling systems targeted for the alert to very specific configurations.

Abstract: Direct marketing subsystems associated with information handling systems download coupon lists from a direct marketing server, each coupon of a coupon list having one or more associated conditions and items offered for sale. A coupon relevance module analyzes the coupon list conditions to identify coupons that are relevant to the information handling system for display at the information handling system. Activation of a coupon initiates purchase of the item associated with the coupon by communication with the direct marketing server. A unique identifier of the information handling system associates selection of the coupon with an account for charging and delivery of the purchased item.

Abstract: A method of discovering LAN clients running desktop management interface ("DMI") 2.0 is described. In particular, responsive to a discovery request, a DMIADMIN running on a LAN administrator broadcasts a discovery packet to the LAN and then awaits responses in the form of reply packets from desktop management interface ("DMI") agents installed on LAN clients running DMI 2.0. Each reply packet contains data indicating the corresponding client's system type (e.g., notebook or desktop), name, and network address.