Abstract: An information handling system is configured to poll a remote data store at an adaptable polling rate. The polling rate can be based on one or more usage characteristics of the information handling system, such as a time of day, geographical location, user profile, management profile, system usage pattern, or other usage characteristic. Between polling requests, the information handling system can be placed in a low-power mode, thereby conserving power.

Abstract: An information handling system includes at least two processing systems that share system resources. In response to detecting a designated event, a power control module of the information handling system can select one of a plurality of available power profiles. The power profile can be selected based on the event and state information indicative of a state of the processing systems. Based on the selected profile, the power control module can set an operational power mode of one or more of the shared system resources.

Abstract: During execution of BIOS at an information handling system, a processor communicates with the storage controller via a command line protocol (CLP) communications channel. Via the channel, the processor obtains identification information for storage devices associated with the storage controller. The processor communicates the identification information to a key management client, which obtains encryption keys based on the identification information from a key management server. The processor receives the encryption keys, and communicates them to the storage controller via the CLP communications channel. The CLP communications channel thus provides a convenient and flexible interface for communication of security information prior to execution of an operating system.

Abstract: A security module and method within an information handling system are disclosed. In a particular form, a processing module can include a local processor configurable to initiate access to resources of a host processing system. The processing module can also include a security module configured to enable use of the resources of the host processing system using a security metric. According to an aspect, the security module can be further configured to detect the security metric, and enable access to a resource of the host processing system in response to the security metric. The security module can further be configured to disable access to another resource of the host processing system in response to the security metric.

Abstract: An information handling system can include a base, a printed circuit board including a capacitive switch, and a cover. The printed circuit board can be attached to the base, and the cover can lie adjacent to the printed circuit board. The capacitive switch can be configured to change state when an object is close to the cover. The cover can be configured such that it can be detached from the remainder of the information handling system while the printed circuit board remains attached to the base. The configuration of the printed circuit board and cover can be particularly useful when maintaining a keyboard or a touch pad or when replacing the cover.

Abstract: A design tool for printed circuit boards displays a graphical representation of a printed circuit board layout through a graphical user interface (GUI). Comments for particular components of the printed circuit board layout can be entered through the graphical user interface. The comments are stored in a data file associated with the printed circuit board layout. Comments can be entered and viewed by multiple users in real time. Comments can be displayed through the graphical user interface in proximity to the component associated with the comment, thereby improving the efficiency with which designers can review and implement suggested changes to the PCB layout.

Abstract: A device comprising a temperature measurement module, a performance state module, a memory bandwidth module, and a fan speed module. The temperature measurement module is configured to determine a rate of temperature change in a server and to output a control signal when the rate of temperature change is above a threshold rate. The performance state module is configured to reduce a performance state of the device to a lowest system level in response to the control signal, and to reduce a processor power consumption and a subsystem power consumption to a minimum power level in response to reducing the performance state to the lowest system level. The memory bandwidth module is configured to reduce a memory bandwidth to a minimum bandwidth level based on the control signal. The fan speed module is configured to reduce a fan speed to a minimum level based on the control signal.

Abstract: A device comprising a fan controller, an encoder, a driver, a resistor/capacitor filter, and a baseboard management controller. The fan controller is configured to output a cooling fan status signal, and to output a cooling fan information data signal. The encoder is configured to encode the cooling fan status signal and the cooling fan information data signal together into a combined signal. The driver is configured to invert the combined signal and to output an inverted signal. The resistor/capacitor filter is configured to filter out the cooling fan information data signal from the inverted signal, and to output a filtered signal. The baseboard management controller is configured to determine a status of a cooling fan in response to the filtered signal, and to output a control signal to the fan controller module for the cooling fan based on the cooling fan information data signal within the inverted signal.

Abstract: A device comprising a first thermal interface material, and a first micro-channel cold plate. The first thermal interface material is in physical communication with a first plurality of memory modules of a computer system. The first micro-channel cold plate is in physical communication with the first thermal interface material. The first micro-channel cold plate is adapted to allow a fluid flow through a first plurality of micro-channels, and configured to remove a first amount of heat produced by the first memory modules of the computer system through the first thermal interface material.

Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing and support members. In an embodiment, the housing includes an opening extending through an exterior wall. The opening can include a wider portion that is spaced apart from the opposite ends of the opening. The housing can include a recessed region that lies along a perimeter of the opening. A support member lies within the opening, and a portion of the support member lies within the recessed region. The shapes of the opening and the support member can be such that the support member can be inserted relatively easily into the opening, yet still resist accidental removal of the support members during normal use and handling of the electronic device. In a particular embodiment, the support member can be a single piece of elastomeric material and help to provide acoustical isolation.

Abstract: A field-sequential display is operated in one of a color mode or a grayscale mode. In the color mode, a video source provides image content in the form of multiple-color image data having a frame rate of X Hz and a display controller uses the multiple-color image data to drive the field-sequential display so as provide multiple-color image content at the field-sequential display. In the grayscale mode, the display controller generates grayscale image data from the multiple-color image data and the display controller then drives the field-sequential display with the grayscale image data at a lower frame rate of Y Hz. While in the grayscale mode, the display controller can take advantage of the enhanced contrast provided by the grayscale image content to reduce or disable backlighting at the field-sequential display. The reduced timing requirements afforded by the lower frame rate, as well as the reduction or elimination of backlighting, can reduce power consumption compared to the color mode.

Abstract: A method of booting an operating system for use with an information handling system includes identifying an operating system dependent configuration, and determining an operating system type of the operating system. Further, the method includes changing the operating system dependent configuration in response to the operating system type.

Abstract: A media base security device and method of use is disclosed. According to one aspect, a media base security device can include a lock rod mechanism coupled to a portion of a media base housing including a security lock aperture operable to receive a security lock. The media base security device can also include a release lever accessible external to the housing. The release lever can be operable to release the media base housing when coupled to a portable computer system. The release lever can include a lock rod seat operable to engage a lock rod extending from the lock rod mechanism in response to locking the security lock.

Abstract: An alignment guidepin comprises a pre-alignment portion, an alignment portion, and a release portion. The pre-alignment portion provides gross alignment for a connection between a connecting module of a server and a connector of a computer server chassis. The alignment portion is connected to the pre-alignment portion having a first diameter to allow a high precision alignment for the connection between the connecting module and the connector. The release portion is connected to the alignment portion having a second diameter different than the first diameter to allow the connecting module and the connector to guide the connection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to circuit protection within an information handling system and a media resource unit. In one form, an information handling system can include a first external input power port and an information handling system docking interface operable to be coupled to a media resource unit interface of a media resource unit. The media resource unit can include a second external input power port. The information handling system can also include a protection circuit including a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal can be coupled to the first external power port and operable to receive input power from the second external power port of the media resource unit. The second terminal can be coupled to the information handling system docking interface and operable to output protected power to the media resource unit interface.

Abstract: A method of using an information handling system can include sending configuration information over a network while the information handling system is running within a bare metal state. The method can also include receiving an update for a component while the information handling system is operating within the bare metal state, wherein the update corresponds to the configuration information and is received from a remote source via a network. The method can be performed automatically by an information handling system when executing machine readable code including instructions that allow a processor to carry out the method.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for recovering system configuration settings, such as remote management, of an information handling system following a disorderly shutdown. A restart controller detects a disorderly shutdown of an information handling system and, in response, sets a disorderly shutdown flag and restarts the information handling system. During the restart, the basic input/output system (BIOS) checks the disorderly shutdown flag as part of its power-on housekeeping. In response to determining the disorderly shutdown flag has been set, the BIOS reconfigures the system configuration settings, such as the power management scheme, of the information handling system so as to enable one or more remote wake mechanisms, such as wake-on-LAN or wake-on-ring. The BIOS then performs an orderly shutdown of the information handling system to place the information handling system in a low-power state, from which the information handling system can be awoken via the remote wake mechanism.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a printed circuit board (PCB) including a signal path with a trace coupled to a source, another trace coupled to a load, a tuned stub, and a via connecting the traces and the tuned stub. A method includes providing a signal path on a PCB with a trace coupled to a source, a trace coupled to a load, a tuned stub, and a via connecting the traces and the tuned stub, driving a signal on the signal path, and adjusting the tuned stub length so that the signal is unchanged between the source and the load. A PCB includes a signal path between a source and a load with two traces and a via, and a tuned path between the source and the load with the two traces, another trace, and the via, the length of the tuned path being a half wavelength stub.

Abstract: A power supply device comprises a driver circuit, a transistor switch, and a first transistor. The driver circuit is configured to provide a stable driving signal and a floating driving signal. The transistor switch has a first terminal, a second terminal connected to a first terminal of the driver circuit, and a third terminal connected to a second terminal of the driver circuit, and is configured to prevent a reverse current based on the floating driving signal. The first transistor has a first current electrode connected to the first terminal of the transistor switch, a second current electrode connected to the first voltage reference, and a control electrode connected to the third terminal of the driver circuit, and is configured to activate and deactivate based on the stable driving signal, and further configured to regulate an input voltage to a substantially constant direct current output voltage.

Abstract: A system to support external devices in relation to a server rack includes a server rack chassis having a plurality of sides. Each side has a pair of substantially vertical edges extending along a height of the server rack chassis. The system also includes a rail member having a first end coupled to the server rack chassis. The rail member is substantially parallel to the substantially vertical edges when the first end of the rail member is coupled to the server rack chassis. The system also includes a tray having a first aperture adapted to slidably receive a second end of the rail member.