Abstract: A system and method for out-of-band network management is provided wherein one or more different management interfaces are converted into a common format management data. The system may encrypt the common format management data. The system may also authenticate each user that attempts to access the management interfaces.

Abstract: A method for producing a fixed-size firmware image for a hardware device, parameterized for a plurality of component environments, includes providing a logical description of aspects of said plurality of component environments; providing a physical description of physical aspects of said plurality of component environments; associating said logical description with said physical description; and providing said firmware image to include a plurality of parameterized functions to support said hardware device in each of said plurality of component environments. The hardware device may be a power supply, bus; fan, disk drives, sensor, or flash part. Actual arguments to said parameterized functions are bound at run time and may be provided as untyped blocks of bits. The firmware image may include an operational block including abstract device driver interfaces for said hardware device; and a description block that includes said logical and physical descriptions.

Abstract: A system for transparent switching of management sessions utilizing in-band and out-of-band technologies is provided. The system provides continuous access to the managed system(s) by combining in-band tools, which generally require lower network bandwidth and provide better response time with less latency when the system under management is in-service, with out-of-band tools that provide continued access to the system under management when the network interface or operating system become unstable or the system in placed by an operator or falls unexpectedly to an out-of-service condition.

Abstract: A system and method for out-of-band network management is provided wherein one or more different management interfaces are converted into a common format management data. The system may encrypt the common format management data. The system may also authenticate each user that attempts to access the management interfaces.

Abstract: A system and method for out-of-band network management is provided wherein one or more different management interfaces are converted into a common format management data. The system may encrypt the common format management data. The system may also authenticate each user that attempts to access the management interfaces.

Abstract: A system for physically consolidating and securing access to service processors and management modules in computer, telecommunication and networking equipment is provided that isolates the management ports from the data network. The system converts low-level management protocols into higher-level network protocols suitable for secure transport over the data network. The system may encrypt the common format management data. The system may also authenticate each user that attempts to access the management interfaces.