Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for the secure transfer of data by carrier virtual machines between participating physical hosts through a virtual network (VNET) implemented on one or more internal and/or external networks. The method of the invention can provide additional security controls, comprising parameters that may include, but are not limited to, time-to-live (TTL), access control lists (ACLs), usage policies, directory roles, etc. Additionally, access to one or more of a plurality of carrier virtual machine payloads by security groups, individual access, subdivided individual access, and MIME-like subdivision of a VM-encapsulated payload may be controlled, thereby providing the carrier VM the ability to carry many secured payloads. In addition, VM packets, a group of packets, a single VM, or subpackets within a VM between network endpoints, or at a predetermined intermediary network point, may be quarantined to realize further security.

Abstract: A system and method for generating sequences of manual operations, using a structured process and grammar, suitable for implementation in systems integration. The method of the invention allows manual operations can be defined locally, or by remote subject matter experts (SMEs), using a Manual Operations Grammar, with the system allowing the definition of methods for validating measurements, reporting, and optimizing a set of one or more operations and/or processes. As part of the grammar, formalized hooks can be implemented between a plurality of manual tasks, operation and/or process steps, and a plurality of automated tasks, operation and/or process steps.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for a virtual portal (vPortal), that can logically front-end and generate personalized presentations of eCommerce electronic (e.g., web portal) or paper-based (e.g., catalog) content, based on individual or group preferences and/or predetermined authorizations, through the implementation of a local portal registry (pRegistry), editable by a user or third party (e.g., corporate customer purchasing department). The method of the invention can also generate target content, mapped to a subset of available source content (e.g., web portal or hardcopy print), such that the target content can be a predetermined superset of individual user-selectable preferences and/or predetermined authorizations, including but not limited to eCommerce content, advertisements, content metrics, and reporting.

Abstract: The present invention provides for reduced message-passing protocol communication overhead between a plurality of high performance computing (HPC) cluster computing nodes. In particular, HPC cluster performance and MPI host-to-host functionality, performance, scalability, security, and reliability can be improved. A first information handling system host, and its associated network interface controller (NIC) is enabled with a lightweight implementation of a message-passing protocol, which does not require the use of intermediate protocols. A second information handling system host, and its associated NIC is enabled with the same lightweight message-passing protocol implementation. A high-speed network switch, likewise enabled with the same lightweight message-passing protocol implementation, interconnected to the first host and the second host, and potentially to a plurality of like hosts and switches, can create an HPC cluster network capable of higher performance and greater scalability.

Abstract: Built-to-order products, such as information handling systems, are packaged-to-order based on user preferences for reduced packaging waste. The user is presented packaging options at an order for one or more information handling systems and selects desired options, such as excluding recovery media, application media and user manuals. For instance, a corporate user ordering plural information handling systems has the user manual included in only one package, excludes recovery CDs and elects to have a recovery image with applications electronically available over the Internet, such as with the entry of license keys. Selected options are saved as a packaging policy associated with the user for use with subsequent orders by the user.

Abstract: Audiovisual settings for audiovisual display devices are automatically applied based on a user identification input at the audiovisual display device. A display settings module associated with the audiovisual device applies locally cached settings if available or retrieves global settings for the user from a network location. A settings match engine determines audiovisual setting for the user based on the audiovisual device type characteristics and the user's globally stored audiovisual settings. Automatically managed audiovisual settings include display picture settings, channel settings, localization settings, audio settings and lockout settings.

Abstract: Virtual machines of a virtual data center generate runtime instances with a software image, hardware configuration, management configuration and user/service configuration. Virtual data center resource use is monitored by reference to the management configuration of runtime instances, such as for environmental controls like power, cooling and balancing, or for policy limitations on users, software or hardware. Users or services generate runtime instances of stored virtual machines by reference to the user/service configuration, such as pricing or priority. In one example embodiment, the virtual machine software image comprises an application system preparation file that populates a read only application image common to plural virtual machines. Information unique to each virtual machine with respect to the application is maintained in the user/service configuration of the virtual machine and version information is maintained in the management configuration of the virtual machine.

Abstract: Virtual machines of a virtual data center generate runtime instances with a software image, hardware configuration, management configuration and user/service configuration. Virtual data center resource use is monitored by reference to the management configuration of runtime instances, such as for environmental controls like power, cooling and balancing, or for policy limitations on users, software or hardware. Users or services generate runtime instances of stored virtual machines by reference to the user/service configuration, such as pricing or priority. In one example embodiment, the virtual machine software image comprises an application system preparation file that populates a read only application image common to plural virtual machines. Information unique to each virtual machine with respect to the application is maintained in the user/service configuration of the virtual machine and version information is maintained in the management configuration of the virtual machine.

Abstract: Virtual machines of a virtual data center generate runtime instances with a software image, hardware configuration, management configuration and user/service configuration. Virtual data center resource use is monitored by reference to the management configuration of runtime instances, such as for environmental controls like power, cooling and balancing, or for policy limitations on users, software or hardware. Users or services generate runtime instances of stored virtual machines by reference to the user/service configuration, such as pricing or priority. In one example embodiment, the virtual machine software image comprises an application system preparation file that populates a read only application image common to plural virtual machines. Information unique to each virtual machine with respect to the application is maintained in the user/service configuration of the virtual machine and version information is maintained in the management configuration of the virtual machine.

Abstract: An architecture and method of operation of a server cluster is disclosed in which a virtual standby node is established for each active node of the server cluster. The virtual nodes are each housed in singly physical server. The standby cluster also includes a monitoring module for monitoring the operational status of each virtual machine of the standby node. A cloning and seeding agent is included in the standby node for creating copies of virtual machines and managing the promotion of virtual machines to an operational state.

Abstract: A system and method for hot cloning in a distributed network is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for cloning a virtual machine from a source system to a target system includes freezing writes to a storage file having storage blocks such that subsequent writes create new storage blocks for the original virtual machine. The method further including freezing writes to a memory content such that subsequent writes store in buffers. The method further including copying the memory content onto the target system wherein the copied memory content creates a clone. The method further including unfreezing the memory content by merging the writes stored in the buffers and unfreezing the writes to the storage file such that subsequent writes take place normally. The method further including configuring the clone based on the target system. The method further including creating a new storage block for any writes to the storage file whereby the new storage block is not shared.

Abstract: A system and method for balancing the load of virtual machines among the physical servers of a network is disclosed. When a server of the network is identified as exceeding its total resource utilization, a virtual machine within the server is selected for migration to another physical server within the network. A virtual machine may be selected for migration on the basis of an identification of the virtual machine that has the lowest level of resource requirements. The target physical server may be selected on the basis of an identification of a server that has the highest level of resource availability.