Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of compiling a program to be executed on a target central processing unit (CPU). The method includes opportunistically scheduling diagnostic testing of CPU registers. The method may include use of a predetermined level of aggressiveness for the scheduling of the register diagnostic testing. The scheduled diagnostic testing may include writing known data to a register, reading data from the register, and comparing the known data with the data that was read. If the comparison indicates a difference, then a jump may occur to a fault handler routine.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of compiling a program to be executed on a target microprocessor with multiple execution units of a same type. The method includes selecting one of the execution units for testing and scheduling the parallel execution of program code and diagnostics code. The diagnostic code is scheduled to be executed on the selected execution unit. The program code is scheduled to be executed on remaining execution units of the same type.

Abstract: A card guide of an apparatus in one example comprises a plurality of card guide portions that serve to guide a circuit board into a chassis. The plurality of card guide portions comprise a first card guide portion and a second card guide portion. The first card guide portion serves to guide the circuit board substantially along a first direction during engagement of the circuit board with the first card guide portion. The second card guide portion serves to guide the circuit board substantially along a second direction that is nonlinear with the first direction during engagement of the circuit board with the second card guide portion.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a power distribution system comprising a first printed circuit board, a power supply, a processor, and a flexible cable connector. Both the power supply and the processor are mounted on the first printed circuit board. The flexible cable connector comprises a first end electrically connected to the processor and a second end electrically connected to the power supply. The flexible cable connector is configured with a length so that the power supply is in a spaced relationship relative to the processor. The flexible connector also extends between the power supply and the processor independent of the first printed circuit board. The flexible cable connector comprises a plurality of insulated power wires and a ground structure. The plurality of insulated power wires are arranged generally parallel to each other extending from the first end to the second end of the flexible cable connector.

Abstract: A rack equipment management system and method for providing a convenient and efficient manner to automatically manage rack equipment associated with information processing based upon power consumption and heat dissipation policies is presented. In one embodiment of the present invention, a rack equipment management system includes a rack equipment management policy data store, a management component, and a communication bus. The rack equipment management policy data store stores policy information related to rack equipment operations. The management component manages power consumption and thermal load of the rack equipment. The communication bus communicatively couples the rack equipment management policy data store and the management component.

Abstract: A rack equipment application performance modification system and method is disclosed for providing a convenient and efficient manner to modify performance of rack equipment based upon an application. In one embodiment of the present invention, a rack equipment application performance modification system comprises rack equipment, an application performance modification component, and a communication bus. The rack equipment processes information. The application performance modification component modifies performance of said rack equipment based upon an application. The communication bus communicatively couples the rack equipment and the application performance modification component and the communication bus communicates information between the application performance modification component and the rack equipment.

Abstract: A rack equipment management information coordination and tracking system and method is disclosed. In one embodiment, a rack equipment management information coordination method is implemented. As part of the rack equipment management information coordination method a rack equipment management plan is formulated. Equipment description information detection is also automatically directed. Both the detected rack equipment description information and formulated rack equipment management plan are stored.

Abstract: A rack equipment environmental condition adjustment system and method is presented. In one embodiment of the present invention, a rack equipment environmental condition adjustment system includes rack equipment for processing information. An environmental condition adjustment component adjusts the rack equipment based upon environmental conditions. A communication bus for communicatively coupling the rack equipment and the environmental condition adjustment component, wherein the communication bus communicates information between the environmental adjustment component and the rack equipment.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of providing dynamic power redundancy for a system. A number of power supply units, n, that are presently in an up state is tracked. In addition, a number of power supply units, N, that are presently needed to supply power to the system is dynamically determined. If a margin of safety corresponding to a difference between n and N reaches a minimum acceptable level, then action is taken to increase the margin of safety.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of providing dynamic temperature-adjusted power redundancy for a system. Tracking is performed of the number of power supply units, n, that are presently in an up state. The temperature in which the power supply units are operating is measured, and a temperature-adjusted number of power supply units, N, which are presently needed to supply power to the system, is dynamically determined.

Abstract: A frequency manager automatically selects a clock frequency for each device or bus, or for a plurality of devices or buses, in a system, based on various factors and objectives. These factors and objectives can include optimizing performance of the devices without exceeding the system's power/thermal budget. The frequency manager can then control circuits that generate and provide clock signals having the selected frequency(ies) to these devices or buses. For example, in a system that is less than fully populated with devices, embodiments of the invention can select higher clock frequencies than a fully populated system would utilize. Some embodiments of the invention select higher clock frequencies for high-bandwidth devices than for low-bandwidth devices. Other embodiments use information about application programs that will be executed by systems, such as which devices these application programs will frequently access, to select higher clock frequencies for the frequently accessed devices.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of providing CPU functional testing. Operations are executed on multiple functional units of a same type in the CPU. The outputs of the multiple functional units are automatically compared. The results of the comparison are checked only for redundant operations. Another embodiment disclosed relates to a microprocessor with built-in functional testing capability. The microprocessor includes multiple functional units of a same type and registers that receive outputs from the multiple functional units. In addition, comparator circuitry is built-in that also receives the outputs from the multiple functional units and compares the outputs to provide functional testing.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of compiling a program to be executed on a target microprocessor. A cycle is identified during which a functional unit would otherwise be idle. A diagnostic operation is opportunistically scheduled for execution on the functional unit during that cycle, and a comparison is scheduled to compare a result from executing the diagnostic operation with a corresponding predetermined result.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of compiling a program to be executed on a target microprocessor with multiple functional units of a same type. The method includes opportunistically scheduling a redundant operation on one of the functional units that would otherwise be idle during a cycle.

Abstract: A computer system comprising a processor, a memory, and a memory controller coupled to the processor and the memory is provided. The memory controller comprises a first cache and a cache control. The cache control is configured to cause a portion of the memory to be copied into the first cache. The cache control is configured to cause first information to be provided from the first cache to the processor in response to receiving a read transaction from the processor that includes an address in the portion of memory during testing of the portion.

Abstract: A frequency manager automatically selects a clock frequency for each device or bus, or for a plurality of devices or buses, in a system, based on various factors and objectives. These factors and objectives can include optimizing performance of the devices without exceeding the system's power/thermal budget. The frequency manager can then control circuits that generate and provide clock signals having the selected frequency(ies) to these devices or buses. For example, in a system that is less than fully populated with devices, embodiments of the invention can select higher clock frequencies than a fully populated system would utilize. Some embodiments of the invention select higher clock frequencies for high-bandwidth devices than for low-bandwidth devices. Other embodiments use information about application programs that will be executed by systems, such as which devices these application programs will frequently access, to select higher clock frequencies for the frequently accessed devices.

Abstract: A frequency manager automatically selects a clock frequency for each device or bus, or for a plurality of devices or buses, in a system, based on various factors and objectives. These factors and objectives can include optimizing performance of the devices without exceeding the system's power/thermal budget. The frequency manager can then control circuits that generate and provide clock signals having the selected frequency(ies) to these devices or buses. For example, in a system that is less than fully populated with devices, embodiments of the invention can select higher clock frequencies than a fully populated system would utilize. Some embodiments of the invention select higher clock frequencies for high-bandwidth devices than for low-bandwidth devices. Other embodiments use information about application programs that will be executed by systems, such as which devices these application programs will frequently access, to select higher clock frequencies for the frequently accessed devices.

Abstract: An integrally formed chip lid and heat sink of the present invention comprises a chip lid portion, and a heat sink portion formed from said chip lid. The integrally formed chip lid portion and heat sink portion are manufactured as a single part, such that there is no interface between the chip lid portion and the heat sink portion.

Abstract: Described are devices for cooling a component, and methods thereof. The device includes a base that can be coupled to the component so that heat is transferred from the component to the base. The device also includes fins coupled to the base. The fins are arranged to funnel air from an air intake end of the device toward a location on the base.

Abstract: An electronic system has independently coolable first and second zones. The electronic system includes a first zone having a first zone fan and a plurality of first zone connectors for connecting electronic modules and a second zone having a second fan zone and a plurality of second zone connectors for connecting electronic modules. A module manager is also provided for communicating with the first and second zone connectors and with the first and second zone fans. The module manager can independently control the speed of the first and second zone fans based upon operational parameters received from the first and second zone connectors.