Abstract: Serial communication between a baseboard management controller and a host server may be reprogrammed for Ethernet communications. A PCIe high-speed bus, for example, may be reprogrammed as an Ethernet controller. Network addresses may then be shared for Ethernet communications between the baseboard management controller and a motherboard of the host server. Ethernet communications thus allow software applications operating in the host server to access resources associated with the baseboard management controller without relying on the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) specification, which may be incompatible with some protocols and/or services.

Abstract: Service discovery is accomplished across a network with reduced traffic. Network devices often receive multicast discovery requests for various protocols and/or services, which increase network traffic and degrade network performance. Here, though, a server maintains a membership list for a particular protocol. The server populates the membership list with subnet devices that confirm the particular protocol. Whenever the server receives a discovery request associated with the protocol, the server need not clog its subnet with multicast requests. Instead, the server need only retrieve the membership list that is associated with the protocol. The membership list contains the subnet addresses assigned to the subnet devices that confirm the particular protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for systems and methods for bare-metal network topology discovery. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the IHS to: receive network topology information from a server, wherein the server is configured to collect at least one portion of the network topology information from one or more network devices via a baseboard management controller (BMC) circuit while the server operates in low-power mode; and provide a graphical display representing the network topology information, the graphical display including a representation of the server, the one or more network devices, and one or more connections between the server and the one or more network devices.

Abstract: Service discovery is accomplished across a network with reduced traffic. Network devices often receive multicast discovery requests for various protocols and/or services, which increase network traffic and degrade network performance. Here, though, a server maintains a membership list for a particular protocol. The server populates the membership list with subnet devices that confirm the particular protocol. Whenever the server receives a discovery request associated with the protocol, the server need not clog its subnet with multicast requests. Instead, the server need only retrieve the membership list that is associated with the protocol. The membership list contains the subnet addresses assigned to the subnet devices that confirm the particular protocol.

Abstract: Serial communication between a baseboard management controller and a host server may be reprogrammed for Ethernet communications. A PCIe high-speed bus, for example, may be reprogrammed as an Ethernet controller. Network addresses may then be shared for Ethernet communications between the baseboard management controller and a motherboard of the host server. Ethernet communications thus allow software applications operating in the host server to access resources associated with the baseboard management controller without relying on the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) specification, which may be incompatible with some protocols and/or services.

Abstract: A remote secure drive access method includes receiving a first message from a second server. The message may be received by a baseboard management controller (BMC) of the first server via a PCIe switch from a second server coupled to the first server via an ExpEther connection. A payload of the message may include identification information identifying the second server. The first server may send an endpoint discover message and receive endpoint device information indicative of peripheral and/or endpoint resources of the second server, including a storage controller associated with a secure drive. Secure drive key information may be obtained from the payload of the first virtual message and sent to the second server to access the secure drive. The exchanged messages may comprise proprietary PCIe transaction layer packets enclosed within an Ethernet packet that includes an ExpEther frame within an Ethernet frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) credential-based access of hardware resources. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the IHS to: receive a credential for a given one of a plurality of users; and store the credential, where the credential is retrievable via a UEFI Device Path Protocol as part of a determination of whether the given user has access to a given one of a plurality of devices within the IHS, and where the given device is accessible via a UEFI Device Path.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a system processor including a first Universal Serial Bus (USB) host interface, a service processor including a second USB host interface and a USB device interface, and a USB socket. The service processor couples a first USB device that is plugged into the USB socket to the first USB host interface, couples a second USB device that is plugged into the USB socket to the second USB host interface, and couples a third USB device that is plugged into the USB socket to the USB device interface.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a processor, an input/output port communicatively coupled to the processor, and an access controller communicatively coupled to the processor. The an input/output port may be configured to receive an external input/output device and communicatively couple such input/output device to one or more information handling resources of the information handling system. The access controller may be configured to responsive to an attempted management operation at the information handling system, determine if an input/output device coupled to the input/output port is authenticated as a trusted input/output device. The access controller may also be configured to, responsive to determining that the input/output device is authenticated as a trusted input/output device, allow execution of the attempted management operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented to securely load Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) images (e.g., UEFI Applications, UEFI Drivers, UEFI firmware volumes, etc.) onto an information handling system from an authenticated (e.g., OEM authenticated) hardware image source device or “IO store” (e.g., such as USB device, network file system device, PCIe device, network storage, shared storage, dynamic RAM disk, etc.) based on a UEFI virtual device path that is mapped to an authenticated hardware device path that is established for the authenticated hardware image source device.

Abstract: A method, video processing system, and information handling system (IHS) provides rendering of video data. The method includes triggering a management controller to generate a virtual monitor that is accessible by a host. The method further includes, in response to the processor writing video data to the video driver, the video data is converted to bulk video data. The bulk video data is transmitted to the management controller, and the management controller causes a virtual monitor driver corresponding to the virtual monitor to convert the bulk video data to a re-converted video data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing Out-of-Band (OOB) real-time inventory and configuration of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) devices using Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) and Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) services. In an embodiment, a method may include, during the booting of an Operating System (OS) and under control of an UEFI firmware, creating an OEM runtime-defined table configured to store a list of Globally Unique Identifiers (GUIDs) associated with OEM devices, where each OEM device corresponds to an OEM vendor-owned UEFI real-time service, and where each OEM vendor-owned UEFI real-time service is configured to enable operations after the booting of the OS; and load an ACPI OEM driver configured to interpret the OEM runtime-defined table and to invoke one or more corresponding OEM vendor-owned UEFI runtime services, and inform a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) coupled to the processor that the ACPI OEM driver is available.

Abstract: A method, video processing system, and information handling system (IHS) provides rendering of video data. The method includes triggering a management controller to generate a virtual monitor that is accessible by a host. The method further includes, in response to the processor writing video data to the video driver, the video data is converted to bulk video data. The bulk video data is transmitted to the management controller, and the management controller causes a virtual monitor driver corresponding to the virtual monitor to convert the bulk video data to a re-converted video data.

Abstract: A method, video processing system, and information handling system (IHS) provides rendering of video data. The method includes triggering a management controller to generate a virtual monitor that is accessible by a host and enabling, via a processor of the host, at least one graphics processing unit (GPU). The method further includes determining if a processor is writing video data to a video driver. In response to the processor writing video data to the video driver, the video data is converted to bulk video data. The bulk video data is transmitted to the management controller.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a processor to run a hypervisor and a management controller coupled to the hypervisor. The management controller includes a virtual Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub, and the hypervisor launches a virtual machine on the processor. In response to an indication from the hypervisor that the virtual machine has been launched, the management controller instantiates a USB virtual NIC coupled to the virtual USB hub, and provides an address of the USB virtual NIC to the hypervisor. The hypervisor provides the address to the virtual machine. The virtual machine provides information to the management controller via the USB virtual NIC.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a processor and a management controller communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to provide out-of-band management of the information handling system. The management controller may be further configured to receive video data from an external graphics controller external to a motherboard upon which the processor resides, wherein each of the external graphics controller and the management controller are endpoints of a root complex instantiated on the processor and forward the video data to a remote management console communicatively coupled to the management controller via a network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing Out-of-Band (OOB) real-time inventory and configuration of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) devices using Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) and Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) services. In an embodiment, a method may include, during the booting of an Operating System (OS) and under control of an UEFI firmware, creating an OEM runtime-defined table configured to store a list of Globally Unique Identifiers (GUIDs) associated with OEM devices, where each OEM device corresponds to an OEM vendor-owned UEFI real-time service, and where each OEM vendor-owned UEFI real-time service is configured to enable operations after the booting of the OS; and load an ACPI OEM driver configured to interpret the OEM runtime-defined table and to invoke one or more corresponding OEM vendor-owned UEFI runtime services, and inform a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) coupled to the processor that the ACPI OEM driver is available.

Abstract: A method, video processing system, and information handling system (IHS) provides rendering of video data. The method includes triggering a management controller to generate a virtual monitor that is accessible by a host and enabling, via a processor of the host, at least one graphics processing unit (GPU). The method further includes determining if a processor is writing video data to a video driver. In response to the processor writing video data to the video driver, the video data is converted to bulk video data. The bulk video data is transmitted to the management controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) credential-based access of hardware resources. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the IHS to: receive a credential for a given one of a plurality of users; and store the credential, where the credential is retrievable via a UEFI Device Path Protocol as part of a determination of whether the given user has access to a given one of a plurality of devices within the IHS, and where the given device is accessible via a UEFI Device Path.

Abstract: A system comprises a first node, which comprises a first controller. The first controller is operable to access a set of files that are stored within a drive of the first node and configure the first node based on the set of files. The first controller is further configured to receive, from a second controller, a first message requesting access to the drive comprising the set of files. The second controller may be within a second node, which is different than the first node. In response to receiving the first message, the first controller transmits a second message to the second controller allowing the second controller to access the drive in the first node comprising the set of files by emulating the partition to configure the second node. The first controller is further configured to transfer the set of files to the second controller after transmitting the second message.