Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are disclosed for executing a reliable warm reboot of one of multiple partitions included in a logically partitioned data processing system. The data processing system includes partition hardware. A request to reboot a particular partition is received within the partition where the particular partition includes multiple processors. Prior to executing the reboot request, the partition hardware is set to a predetermined state. The reboot request is then executed within the particular partition. The predetermined state is preferably achieved by resetting the partition hardware to a predetermined state.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is presented for updating flash memory that contains a write protected code, a first copy of rewritable recovery code, a second copy of rewritable recovery code, and a rewritable composite code. Each block of rewritable code contains a checksum code to detect if the block of code has been corrupted. If it is detected that the first copy of the recovery code is corrupted then the second copy of the recovery code is copied into the first copy of the recovery code. If it is detected the second copy of the recovery code is corrupted then the first copy of the recovery code is copied into the second copy of the recovery code. The recovery code is responsible for checking and updating the composite code. If it is detected the composite code is corrupted then a fresh copy of the composite code is obtained from a removable storage device or a network connection.

Abstract: A method and system for servicing an interrupt is presented. An interrupt handler associated with a detected interrupt is invoked, and a determination is made as to whether to instantiate a delay before further servicing of the detected interrupt. If a delay is neccesary before the detected may be fully serviced, a delay counter is initialized to a first predetermined value. The interrupt handler then exits without fully servicing the detected interrupt. During subsequent invocations, the interrupt handler decrements the delay counter and checks whether the delay counter has reached a second predetermined value. The interrupt handler is repeatedly invoked while the interrupt remains pending and while the delay counter does not equal the second predetermined value, the interrupt handler may then fully service the interrupt and clear the interrupt.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a host computer using a service processor is provided. A shared nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM) area is used to store progress information from the host computer system. The host computer system writes progress information corresponding to the initialization step being performed to the shared NVRAM and also updates a host pointer in the NVRAM. The service processor reads the shared NVRAM and compares its pointer with the host pointer to determine whether new host initialization activity has been reported. The service processor sets a timer so that if host activity is not reported during a set amount of time an error condition occurs causing the service processor to handle the host computer error. An optional service processor routine determines whether the host computer is stuck in an initialization loop whereupon the service processor once again handles the host computer error.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and using chipset built-in self-test (BIST) signatures is provided. A BIST for a chip in a data processing system may be initiated by a power-on-reset in the data processing system. The BIST signature generated during the BIST is compared with a predetermined BIST signature stored in a vital products data (VPD) module associated with the chip is read. A difference between the generated BIST signature and the predetermined BIST signature is then reported.

Abstract: In a display computer with multiple serial ports, there is provided an on-screen facility for identifying each of the serial ports with a numerical identifier. A process is provided responsive to a change in the status of a connection to any serial port that displays the identifier for that serial port. The change in status takes place when connecting to the serial port. The process may be effectively used in systems having their serial ports extended through a universal serial bus. The identifiers for the serial ports may be stored in a look-up table from which the appropriate identifier may be obtained and displayed upon the connection of a peripheral device to a serial port. Among the many advantages of this on-screen serial port identification is the assurance that the user will not be confused or obstructed by any errors in the physical labelling of serial ports in the manufacture or assembly of computer hardware.

Abstract: A data processing system, method, and computer program product are disclosed for reporting a loss of a service application to a particular system administrator. The data processing system includes a logically partitioned computer system and a hardware management console. The hardware management console is a stand-alone system separate from the computer system. A service application is executable by the hardware management console for managing service of and placing service calls for the logically partitioned computer system. The logically partitioned computer system includes a service partition. A service processor included in the logically partitioned computer system monitors a presence of the service application, and reports the absence of the service application to the service partition. In response to an absence of the service application, the service partition reports the absence of the service application to a system administrator of the service partition.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program for updating firmware in a data processing system as a background operation allowing a user to utilize the computer for other purposes during the update process is provided. In one embodiment, after an operating system has been loaded and control has been transferred from the service processor to the host, the service processor determines whether the level of a firmware copy on a system component, such as an SPCN card, matches the current level of firmware stored on a non-volatile memory accessible to the service processor. If the level of the firmware copy in the component is different from the current level, the service processor transfers the current level of firmware from the non-volatile memory accessible to the service processor to the system component.

Abstract: A method and system for checking security when a request for system access is received by a computer system within a network environment is disclosed. When a request for system access into a network environment is first received, a service processor checks a fixed non-null pattern and based on its results performs a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) on the contents of CMOS memory to verify its authenticity. An IEEE-standard CRC algorithm is used to confirm that the data in the CMOS memory has not been corrupted. If the fixed non-null pattern and/or CRC algorithm confirms that no corruption exists, then the service processor prompts the user for a system password and performs the normal authentication checks between the entered password and a stored password. If the CRC algorithm detects that corruption exists, then the service processor determines where the request was received. In response to a determination that the request was received remotely, then access is denied as a security threat.

Abstract: A method and system for faster initial program loads by normally booting a data processing system without extended diagnostic tests is disclosed. A service processor is provided and located within the data processing system to monitor the data processing system during runtime operations for a system failure. When a system failure occurs, the service processor enables a diagnostic flag located in non-volatile memory. On the first or next boot of the data processing system after repair of the system failure, the diagnostic flag indicates to the service processor to perform an extended diagnostics test. Upon completion of the extended diagnostics test, the diagnostic flag is disabled and the service processor once again monitors the data processing system for a system failure.

Abstract: To emulate multi-threaded processing in an operating system supporting only single-threaded processes and single-level interrupts, the processor timer is started with a selected time-out period during execution of a master code thread. Processing of the master code thread proceeds until the timer interrupt, at which time the operating system timer interrupt service routine (ISR) transfers execution control to a slave code thread or slave code thread component. The slave code thread or component is executed in its entirety, at which time the timer is reset and execution control is returned to the master code thread, where processing resumes at the point during which the timer interrupt was asserted. To minimize disruption of the master code thread execution, a maximum latency should be enforced on the slave code thread, which may be accomplished by breaking the slave code thread into multiple components.

Abstract: An air bag (20) comprising: an inflatable cushion (22) portion and in inlet portion (24) through which inflation gas is received, and an airflow baffle (30; 30a) which creates a low pressure pocket directly downstream of itself and causes the air bag to initially begin to inflate laterally. The baffle includes a flexible panel within the cushion portion downstream of the inlet portion, for diverting at least a portion of the inflation gas to between an edge of the baffle and an adjacent inner surface of the cushion.