Abstract: A method may be provided for establishing a service communication channel to a multi-server computer system comprising a plurality of modular units. At least selected modular units can have a wireless communication port. The method may comprise transmitting an existence request message to the wireless communication port of each modular unit provided therewith; and receiving at least one existence response message from at least one of the plurality of modular units. The existence response message may include an identifier of the modular unit.

Abstract: A server blade is provided which comprises a processor. The server blade additionally comprises an enclosure which encloses the processor. The server blade is configured as a field replaceable unit removably receivable in a carrier of a modular computer system, and is configured as an oversized unit to span more than one standard information processing module receiving location in the carrier.

Abstract: A server blade is provided with an enclosure. The server blade can be provided with a plurality of processors in the enclosure. The server blade can be configured as a field replaceable unit removably receivable in a carrier of a modular computer system, for example a high density blade server system. The enclosure for such a multiprocessor server blade can be larger that a standard enclosure for a single processor server blade. The carrier can be configured to receive such an oversized server blade enclosure as well as a standard enclosure.

Abstract: An information processing module forms a blade for a high density computer system. A processor is operable to perform information processing and an information signal interface is connected between the processor(s) and a module information signal connection. A service controller is operable to perform system management functions and is connected to a module management connection. Redundant sets of information and management signal connections can be provided. The information signal interface and the service controller provide a buffer between the processor of the information processing module and the remainder of the modular computer system enabling flexibility in the choice of processor and internal structure for the information processing module.

Abstract: A modular computer system may be provided. The modular computer system may comprise a carrier operable removably to receive a plurality of computer system modules therein. A plurality of information processing modules can be removably received in the carrier, each module may have a communications port operable to connect to a communications network internal to the carrier. The modular computer system may also comprise a switch operable to connect to the internal communications network to distribute information messages between the modules and to connect to an external communications network. An information distribution module may be provided removably received in the carrier operable connect to the internal communications network to receive an information message, to perform processing on the message to determine a destination, and to forward the message toward the determined destination via the internal communications network.

Abstract: A rack mountable shelf is configured to support a plurality of field replaceable units in the form of server cartridges that each include at least one server processor. The rack mountable shelf is configured to provide communal services for said server cartridges, including at least one of supplying DC operating power to the server cartridges, distributing information signals between the server cartridges and processing system management signals for the server cartridges. Each of the server cartridges can be slideably received in a respective one of a series of server cartridge receiving locations arrayed side by side along the front of the shelf. The server cartridges can be configured as thin blades to provide a high server density. For example, 16 server cartridge receiving locations can be provided across the front of the shelf. The supply of DC operating power to the server cartridges can be provided by one or more field replaceable power supply units (e.g.

Abstract: A server blade may comprise a processor. The server blade may additionally comprise a removable media interface device. The server blade can be configured as a field replaceable unit.

Abstract: Apparatus representing a computer system or such-like is disclosed that includes a hierarchy of field replaceable units (FRUs). Each FRU in the hierarchy has a type, and may have a number of subsidiary FRUs. A FRU stores data indicative of at least the number and type of any subsidiary FRUs that may be immediately below it in the hierarchy, as well as data concerning the identity of the FRU itself. The apparatus has a utility to allow access and consolidation at a single location of all the FRU data stored in the hierarchy. In one embodiment, this utility is provided in the form of a configuration application running on a service processor of the apparatus.

Abstract: A support module monitors the operation of at least one information processing module domain by automatically applying at least one test at intervals to an information processing module domain to be monitored and reporting a fault when the test is unsuccessful. On initiation of an information processing module domain, the support module automatically applies a set of tests to the information processing module domain, and, where a test provides a positive result, reapplies the test at intervals to monitor the operation of the information processing module domain.

Abstract: A server blade may comprise a processor and a network interface. The network interface can be configured be connected to a network remote the server blade. The server blade may be configured detect a property of an entity connected to the network. The server blade may be further configured as a field replaceable unit. Optionally, the server blade may further comprise an enclosure which encloses the processor.

Abstract: A rack mountable shelf supports a plurality of field replaceable units (FRUS) in the form of server cartridges, or blades, that each include a processor and a memory within an enclosure. The rack mountable shelf is configured to provide communal services for said server cartridges, including at least one of supplying DC operating power to the server cartridges, distributing information signals between the server cartridges and processing system management signals for the server cartridges. The communal services can also be provided by FRUs, for example with redundant power supply units and redundant combined switch/service processor units. A midplane within the shelf enables interconnection of the FRUs.

Abstract: Apparatus representing a computer system or such-like is disclosed that includes a hierarchy of field replaceable units (FRUs). Each FRU in the hierarchy has a type, and may have a number of subsidiary FRUs. A FRU stores data indicative of at least the number and type of any subsidiary FRUs that may be immediately below it in the hierarchy, as well as data concerning the identity of the FRU itself. The apparatus has a utility to allow access and consolidation at a single location of all the FRU data stored in the hierarchy. In one embodiment, this utility is provided in the form of a configuration application running on a service processor of the apparatus.

Abstract: A support module monitors the operation of at least one information processing module domain by automatically applying at least one test at intervals to an information processing module domain to be monitored and reporting a fault when the test is unsuccessful. On initiation of an information processing module domain, the support module automatically applies a set of tests to the information processing module domain, and, where a test provides a positive result, reapplies the test at intervals to monitor the operation of the information processing module domain.

Abstract: A software fault tolerant computer system includes a primary virtual machine and a secondary virtual machine. The secondary virtual machine is operable to replicate the primary virtual machine by replicating operations performed on the primary virtual machine. The primary and the secondary virtual machines are further operable to test for equivalent operation of the primary and secondary virtual machines at predetermined stages of operation. This provides software fault tolerance wherein both a unit of replication and a component that implements the fault tolerance mechanisms is a virtual machine (VM). Since a VM as used by the invention has full knowledge of the semantics of application-level code, fault tolerance mechanisms can be provided by the VMs without requiring any increase in application complexity. Co-ordination of replicated states and computations is achieved with characteristics of both active and passive replication.

Abstract: A modular computer system may be provided. The modular computer system may comprise a carrier operable removably to receive a plurality of computer system modules therein. A plurality of information processing modules can be removably received in the carrier, each module may have a communications port operable to connect to a communications network internal to the carrier. The modular computer system may also comprise a switch operable to connect to the internal communications network to distribute information messages between the modules and to connect to an external communications network. An information distribution module may be provided removably received in the carrier operable connect to the internal communications network to receive an information message, to perform processing on the message to determine a destination, and to forward the message toward the determined destination via the internal communications network.

Abstract: A server blade may comprise a processor and a network interface. The network interface can be configured be connected to a network remote the server blade. The server blade may be configured to detect an access to the network. The server blade may be further configured as a field replaceable unit. Optionally, the server blade may further comprise an enclosure which encloses the processor.

Abstract: A server blade is provided with an enclosure. The server blade can be provided with a plurality of processors in the enclosure. The server blade can be configured as a field replaceable unit removably receivable in a carrier of a modular computer system, for example a high density blade server system. The enclosure for such a multiprocessor server blade can be larger that a standard enclosure for a single processor server blade. The carrier can be configured to receive such an oversized server blade enclosure as well as a standard enclosure.

Abstract: A server blade may comprise a processor and a network interface. The network interface can be configured be connected to a network remote the server blade. The server blade may configured to perform a privacy function with respect to a network traffic event. The server blade may be further configured as a field replaceable unit. Optionally, the server blade may further comprise an enclosure which encloses the processor.

Abstract: A server blade may comprise a processor and a network interface. The network interface can be configured be connected to a network remote the server blade. The server blade may be configured to perform an edge protection function for an entity connected to the network. The server blade may be further configured as a field replaceable unit. Optionally, the server blade may further comprise an enclosure which encloses the processor.

Abstract: A method may be provided for establishing a service communication channel to a multi-server computer system comprising a plurality of modular units. At least selected modular units can have a wireless communication port. The method may comprise transmitting an existence request message to the wireless communication port of each modular unit provided therewith; and receiving at least one existence response message from at least one of the plurality of modular units. The existence response message may include an identifier of the modular unit.