Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and systems for high availability execution of applications executing on one or more digital data processor platforms. For example, a system according to one aspect of the invention includes a first set digital data processors, each of which executes one or more applications. These are referred to as “primaries” or “primary applications.” A second set of digital data processors execute virtual machines, each of which, in turn, executes an image of a corresponding primary application. These are referred to as “imaged” or “imaged applications.” Each of the first and second sets may have one or more digital data processors. Agent functionality residing on and/or coupled to the digital data processors in the first and second sets maintains state/configuration information for each imaged application.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, a power supply that includes a first rectifier circuit configured to receive a first AC input and to generate a first DC output, a second rectifier circuit configured to receive a second AC input and to generate a second DC output, and a storage unit (e.g., a capacitor) configured to store charge from both the first DC and the second DC outputs. The storage unit can itself be configured to supply that stored charge as DC power, e.g., to a computer or other coupled device.

Abstract: Methods for management of software installation and/or execution utilize a third-party management system to load a “fingerprint” to user digital data processing equipment before a file (such as a patch installation file) can be installed and/or executed on that equipment. The fingerprint can be a filename, file length, CRC code and/or encrypted form of one or more of the foregoing or of any other information that identifies the software to be installed and/or executed.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a digital data processing device includes a firewall device and a computer, both housed within the same enclosure and sharing a common path to the Internet (or other external network), yet, not sharing the same substantive processing logic. Thus, by way of example, the firewall device does not the computer's central processing unit (CPU) to execute firewall logic. The digital data processing device can be arranged to limit connectivity and/or functionality of the computer and/or firewall device, e.g., absent authentication. Thus, for example, the computer and firewall can be coupled to the common path—e.g., a modem, network interface card or other communications port supporting access via wired (e.g., wired ethernet and coaxial), wireless (e.g., satellite, telephony, 802.11x), and/or optical (e.g., fiber) means—such that that access by the computer to the Internet (or other external network) is mediated by the firewall device.

Abstract: The invention provides in some aspects a digital data processor executing management software that controls overall operation of the device, including, installation, configuration, updating, and/or other modifications of its software, hardware and configuration files and other “assets.” The management software validates changes to those assets (e.g., software updates and configuration file edits) requested by system administrators and others and can propagate related changes to other assets. As a result, it keeps the digital data processor in a consistent, working state, avoiding operational interruption that might otherwise result from corruption of assets (e.g., lost files) and/or attempts to install inconsistent assets.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, kits and methods for improved manufacture and, in particular, for improved fixed and flexible manufacture. The improvements provide templates having cavities, silhouettes, impressions, contours, and/or profiles (collectively, “cavities”) that fit and correspond to parts at each stage of parts picking and/or assembly. For example, a kit can have (and a method according to the invention can use) a first template with cavities adapted to hold parts used in a first stage of computer manufacture; a second template with cavities adapted to hold parts used in a second stage of computer manufacture; and so forth. Alternatively, or in addition, the templates can hold parts gathered/or to be gathered in different phases of parts picking—for example, the first template can have cavities adapted to hold parts gathered in a first stage of picking; a second template can have cavities adapted to hold parts gathered in a second stage of picking; and so forth.

Abstract: The invention herein pertains to improved methods and apparatus for electrically coupling components within a digital data system without the use of ribbon cables and other wires. The disclosed coupling device comprises a body member and at least one finger member. The body member physically and electrically couples with components mounted on a circuit board by mating with component pins extending on a solder side of the circuit board. The finger member is conjoined with the body member, and is a flexible, twistable, thin member containing electrically conductive vias coupled which couple the mounted components with an electrical connected located at the distal end of the finger member. The electrical connector at the distal end of the finger member can be a solder pad, a further member body, or other electrically coupling connector device. The finger member is designed to impact cooling air flow less than the disturbances created by conventional component coupling methods and apparatus, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chassis slide assembly comprised of a mating rail and track that telescopically engage with one another and that are adapted for coupling to a chassis and to a rack to allow the chassis to be pulled out from the rack for inspection, service or repair. The rail and track each have at least one air flow aperture positioned to allow unobstructed venting of air through the slide assembly and through the side wall of the chassis. In one embodiment, the rail and track have a plurality of airflow apertures. The apertures of the rail and track can consist of a large-area openings, or of a plurality of slots or perforations. In one embodiment, the apertures of the rail are substantially aligned with the apertures of the track, e.g. when the rail and track are fully engaged with one another.

Abstract: A digital data processing device, e.g., a web server, having a power supply and at least one component such as a motherboard or a disk drive powered by the power supply and interconnected therewith by a power transfer element which is separate from the power supply and the component. The power transfer element is adapted to physically mate with the power supply and the powered component and to provide electrical coupling between them along a non-obstructing path of defined geometry. It includes a substantially rigid card, e.g. a circuit card, with at least one conductive pathway, and further aspects of the invention provide mechanisms for coupling the power transfer element to the supply and to the other component while orienting the card within the chassis. The power transfer card may carry an edge connector into which the edge of a power supply card fits, or vice-versa, so power enters conductors on the card at a proximal edge or end of the card.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ventilating or cooling element for airflow cooling in a digital data processing apparatus, and it is particularly suited to such apparatus having a high circuit density, or mounted within a restricted chassis or housing, such as the housing of a web server, or of a storage array device for a network server or web server. The cooling element includes a fan that is disposed at an angle to integrate its cooling air with general circulation or air flow through the chassis. The element may mount on a plate, such as the thermally conductive plate of a heat sink, that is adapted for coupling to the chassis and/or contacting a microprocessor chip, and a fan is disposed on the mounting plate at an angle to cool the plate or chip without creating obstructive cross wind. The mounting plate can be disposed within the middle portion of the chassis. The fan or cooling element can be angled so as to direct airflow towards at least a selected portion of the chassis, e.g.

Abstract: A low profile, high density storage array includes a digital data storage unit, such as a rack-mount chassis, and a plurality of digital data storage devices such as disk drives, disposed within the array. The drives are spaced apart from a floor of the array on which they are mounted, e.g., via supporting “sleds.” In addition to facilitating insertion and removal of the drives from the array, air flow through or beneath these sleds cool the drives. The drives can be removably attached to the array via cam-like levers that facilitate mounting and dismounting of the drives from the chassis and its electrical circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chassis slide assembly comprised of a mating rail and track that telescopically engage with one another and that are adapted for coupling to a chassis and to a rack to allow the chassis to be pulled out from the rack for inspection, service or repair. The rail and track each have at least one air flow aperture positioned to allow unobstructed venting of air through the slide assembly and through the side wall of the chassis. In one embodiment, the rail and track have a plurality of airflow apertures. The apertures of the rail and track can consist of a large-area openings, or of a plurality of slots or perforations. In one embodiment, the apertures of the rail are substantially aligned with the apertures of the track, e.g. when the rail and track are fully engaged with one another.

Abstract: A riser card, such as a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) card, attaches to a circuit board such as a mother board in a transverse orientation and has a first connector and a second connector attached to opposing sides of the card for receiving expansion cards. In one embodiment, the first connector is offset from the second connector with respect to an axis in the plane of the riser card. In another embodiment, the first and second connectors each have a first and last pin, and the first pin of the first card is opposite the first pin of the second connector. The riser card may mount one expansion board right side up, and the second board upside down. The first and second connectors can be female connectors which are each matable with a male connector on the corresponding expansion board, or can be card edge connectors. The expansion boards, when mated with the connectors, are substantially parallel to, but offset from the circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ventilating or cooling element for airflow cooling in a digital data processing apparatus, and it is particularly suited to such apparatus having a high circuit density, or mounted within a restricted chassis or housing, such as the housing of a web server, or of a storage array device for a network server or web server. The cooling element includes a fan that is disposed at an angle to integrate its cooling air with general circulation or air flow through the chassis. The element may mount on a plate, such as the thermally conductive plate of a heat sink, that is adapted for coupling to the chassis and/or contacting a microprocessor chip, and a fan is disposed on the mounting plate at an angle to cool the plate or chip without creating obstructive cross wind. The mounting plate can be disposed within the middle portion of the chassis. The fan or cooling element can be angled so as to direct airflow towards at least a selected portion of the chassis, e.g.