Abstract: This document describes apparatuses, systems, and techniques directed to a modular system validation platform for computing devices. The modular system validation platform includes an interface board for interfacing a host with a peripheral. The interface board includes an apparatus identifier, a first connector configured to couple to the host, and a second connector configured to couple to the peripheral. The interface board comprises interface circuitry that can be reconfigured to enable different peripherals to operate with the host using the same interface board. The interface circuitry enables the interoperability between the host and the peripheral by distributing power from the host to the peripheral and facilitating communications between the host and the peripheral. By using the reconfigurable interface board to test and troubleshoot the interoperability of the processor and the peripheral, resources, time and costs spent during the design and testing phases of computing devices may be minimized.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses are described that implement a signal fingerprint. In an example aspect, a fingerprint module can monitor signals distributed between a host board and peripherals during an operation performed by the host board. The fingerprint module can generate a signal fingerprint that represents characteristics of the signals that correspond to the operation. With the signal fingerprint, the fingerprint module can improve user experience by protecting the electronic device from anomalous behavior. The fingerprint module can also use the signal fingerprint to improve the user experience and improve system performance through appropriate electronic device component selection. The disclosed techniques and systems can therefore provide electronic device operation reliability, protect sensitive data, and improve electronic device performance while reducing costs and time associated with the design and testing phases of such devices.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses are described that implement software-defined hardware. In example aspects, a hardware manager can enable and disable different combinations of peripherals coupled to a host device. Software can be executed on different enabled combinations of peripherals to determine which combinations best meet the requirements of a product. Combinations of peripherals can be updated with alternative or new peripherals that have new features or replace obsolete peripherals. Thus, the hardware manager can provide a modular validation platform that allows a manufacturer of electronic devices to skip a prototype phase, qualify new peripherals as replacements for existing peripherals that may become obsolete, and iterate between different combinations of peripherals to determine ideal combinations. The disclosed techniques and systems can therefore reduce resources, time, and costs associated with design and testing phases of electronic devices.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses are described that implement a signal fingerprint. In an example aspect, a fingerprint module can monitor signals distributed between a host board and peripherals during an operation performed by the host board. The fingerprint module can generate a signal fingerprint that represents characteristics of the signals that correspond to the operation. With the signal fingerprint, the fingerprint module can improve user experience by protecting the electronic device from anomalous behavior. The fingerprint module can also use the signal fingerprint to improve the user experience and improve system performance through appropriate electronic device component selection. The disclosed techniques and systems can therefore provide electronic device operation reliability, protect sensitive data, and improve electronic device performance while reducing costs and time associated with the design and testing phases of such devices.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, devices, systems, and procedures in a computing system for capturing a configuration state of an operating system executing on a central processing unit (CPU), and offloading resource-related tasks, based on the configuration state, to a resource management unit such as a system-on-chip (SoC). The resource management unit identifies a status of each resource based on the captured configuration state of the operating system. The resource management unit then processes tasks associated with the status of the resources, such as modifying a clock rate of a clocked component in the computing system. This can alleviate the CPU from processing those tasks thereby improving overall computing system performance and dynamics.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, devices, systems, and procedures in a computing system for capturing a configuration state of an operating system executing on a central processing unit (CPU), and offloading resource-related tasks, based on the configuration state, to a resource management unit such as a system-on-chip (SoC). The resource management unit identifies a status of each resource based on the captured configuration state of the operating system. The resource management unit then processes tasks associated with the status of the resources, such as modifying a clock rate of a clocked component in the computing system. This can alleviate the CPU from processing those tasks thereby improving overall computing system performance and dynamics.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, devices, systems, and procedures in a computing system for capturing a configuration state of an operating system executing on a central processing unit (CPU), and offloading memory management tasks, based on the configuration state, to a resource management unit such as a system-on-a-chip (SoC). The resource management unit identifies a status of a resource requiring memory swapping based on the captured configuration state of the operating system. The resource management unit then swaps the memory to alleviate the CPU from processing the swap thereby improving overall computing system performance.

Abstract: This document describes apparatuses, systems, and techniques directed to a modular system validation platform for computing devices. The modular system validation platform includes an interface board for interfacing a host with a peripheral. The interface board includes an apparatus identifier, a first connector configured to couple to the host, and a second connector configured to couple to the peripheral. The interface board comprises interface circuitry that can be reconfigured to enable different peripherals to operate with the host using the same interface board. The interface circuitry enables the interoperability between the host and the peripheral by distributing power from the host to the peripheral and facilitating communications between the host and the peripheral. By using the reconfigurable interface board to test and troubleshoot the interoperability of the processor and the peripheral, resources, time and costs spent during the design and testing phases of computing devices may be minimized.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, devices, systems, and procedures in a computing system for capturing a configuration state of an operating system executing on a central processing unit (CPU), and offloading resource-related tasks, based on the configuration state, to a resource management unit such as a system-on-chip (SoC). The resource management unit identifies a status of each resource based on the captured configuration state of the operating system. The resource management unit then processes tasks associated with the status of the resources, such as modifying a clock rate of a clocked component in the computing system. This can alleviate the CPU from processing those tasks thereby improving overall computing system performance and dynamics.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, devices, systems, and procedures in a computing system for capturing a configuration state of an operating system executing on a central processing unit (CPU), and offloading resource-related tasks, based on the configuration state, to a resource management unit such as a system-on-chip (SoC). The resource management unit identifies a status of each resource based on the captured configuration state of the operating system. The resource management unit then processes tasks associated with the status of the resources, such as modifying a clock rate of a clocked component in the computing system. This can alleviate the CPU from processing those tasks thereby improving overall computing system performance and dynamics.

Abstract: A technology is described for managing network communication device software capabilities. An example method may include sending a connection request from a network communication device electronically to a service provider environment. Software capabilities for the network communication device may be verified from the service provider environment. A software capabilities modification instruction for the network communication device may be received from the service provider environment. The software capabilities of the network communication device may be modified based on the software capabilities modification instruction.

Abstract: A debugging tool, such as may take the form of a software daemon running in the background, can provide for the monitoring of utilization of access mechanisms, such as Direct Memory Access (DMA) mechanisms, for purposes such as debugging and performance improvement. Debugging tools can obtain and provide DMA utilization data, as may include statistics, graphs, predictive analytics, or other such information. The data can help to pinpoint issues that have arisen, or may arise, in the system, and take appropriate remedial or preventative action. Data from related DMAs can be aggregated intelligently, helping to identify bottlenecks where the individual DMA data might not. A debugging tool can store state information as snapshots, which may be beneficial if the system is in a state where current data is not accessible. The statistics and predictive analytics can also be leveraged to optimize system-performance.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, devices, systems, and procedures in a computing system for capturing a configuration state of an operating system executing on a central processing unit (CPU), and offloading resource-related tasks, based on the configuration state, to a resource management unit such as a system-on-chip (SoC). The resource management unit identifies a status of each resource based on the captured configuration state of the operating system. The resource management unit then processes tasks associated with the status of the resources, such as modifying a clock rate of a clocked component in the computing system. This can alleviate the CPU from processing those tasks thereby improving overall computing system performance and dynamics.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, devices, systems, and procedures in a computing system for capturing a configuration state of an operating system executing on a central processing unit (CPU), and offloading memory management tasks, based on the configuration state, to a resource management unit such as a system-on-a-chip (SoC). The resource management unit identifies a status of a resource requiring memory swapping based on the captured configuration state of the operating system. The resource management unit then swaps the memory to alleviate the CPU from processing the swap thereby improving overall computing system performance.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, devices, systems, and procedures in a computing system for capturing a configuration state of an operating system executing on a central processing unit (CPU), and offloading tasks for managing malware and vulnerable software, based on the configuration state, to a resource management unit, such as a system-on-chip (SoC). The resource management unit identifies a status of a process as malware or vulnerable software, based on its fingerprint, and acts to protect the computing system from unwanted effects.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for enabling device communication in a secure environment. In one example, a system comprises a storage in a server, a first component in the server, the first component being isolated in a secure environment in the server, and an entry point device authorized to access the first component via the secure environment. The entry point device may receive a request to access the first component. The entry point device may store a notification in a region of the storage accessible by the first component, wherein the notification is to be read by the first component from the storage to set the first component to an operation mode. The entry point device may store operation data in the storage, wherein the operation data is to be acquired by the first component from the storage to control an operation of the first component in the operation mode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for securing executable code for execution with a processor using a trusted platform module (TPM). In one example of the disclosed technology, a method of decrypting executable code for execution includes measuring values stored in a CPU boot ROM and measuring second values for executable code stored in non-volatile memory, storing the resulting measurement value in a TPM platform configuration register. The PCR value is used to unseal a key stored in non-volatile memory of the TPM, which key is used to decrypt executable code for execution. Security can be further enhanced by destroying the values stored in the PCR by performing additional measurement operations with the TPM PCR used to generate the measurement value.

Abstract: A technology is described for a device diagnosis station. The device diagnosis station may be configured to identify an electronic device physically connected to the device diagnosis station, evaluate an operational state of the electronic device by executing testing instructions configured to test the functionality of the electronic device and collect operational state information for the electronic device. The device diagnosis station may be configured to determine the operational state of the electronic device and execute recovery instructions to restore the electronic device to an improved state when a recoverable error is detected. The device diagnosis station may be configured to initiate a device return procedure for the electronic device when a non-recoverable error state is detected.

Abstract: A technology is described for managing device performance capabilities. An example method may include connecting a physical device electronically to a service provider environment using a computer network and identifying performance capabilities of the physical device at the service provider environment via the connection. A request may be received at the service provider environment to upgrade the performance capabilities of the physical device and an authorization may also be received at the service provider environment for the upgrade. The performance capabilities of the physical device may be upgraded by sending an upgrade instruction from the service provider environment to the physical device to unlock additional performance capabilities based on the authorization. The performance capabilities of the physical device may later be downgraded to by disabling the additional performance capabilities of the physical device.

Abstract: Configuration snapshots can be obtained from various connected devices, such as network interface cards or hardware offload devices, to determine whether the configuration matches expected values. If discrepancies are determined then the appropriate values can be automatically applied to those devices. For each type and version of device, there can be a set of expected configuration values, or a golden model of configuration, that is determined and stored. The models can also be used to test updated configuration values, as the new values can be pushed to a subset of devices and the impact on performance determined. If acceptable performance improvement is detected, or another such target achieved, then the golden model can be updated with the new values and those values can be pushed out to the remainder of the devices.