Abstract: A plug-and-play solution deployment mechanism and infrastructure to automate deployment of network cluster devices is disclosed. The solution includes an agile hardware topology discovery mechanism to automatically map the hardware of the cluster devices. The solution includes an intelligent engine for recognition of BIOS configuration setting and BIOS configuration of the devices. The solution also includes a demand-driven Cloud architecture design engine to design and test a cloud architecture incorporating the cluster devices.

Abstract: A plug-and-play solution deployment mechanism and infrastructure to automate deployment of network cluster devices is disclosed. The solution includes an agile hardware topology discovery mechanism to automatically map the hardware of the cluster devices. The solution includes an intelligent engine for recognition of BIOS configuration setting and BIOS configuration of the devices. The solution also includes a demand-driven Cloud architecture design engine to design and test a cloud architecture incorporating the cluster devices.

Abstract: A method for controlling firmware update of a set of serially coupled expanders is implemented by a host computer. The host computer checks whether or not none of the expanders is in a condition of updating firmware. The host computer permits transmission of the firmware update file to a to-be-updated expander when the determination is affirmative.

Abstract: A method for determining a type of a device connected to an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) includes steps of: a) transmitting requests to bus addresses of the I2C, respectively; b) upon receipt of a response message transmitted by a device in response to receipt of one of the requests from one of the bus addresses, determining that the device is connected to said one of the bus addresses; and c) according to a lookup table that includes plural of entries, each of which has a corresponding device type and respective address set consisting of at least one reference address conforming with one of the bus addresses, determining a type of the device as one of the device types in the lookup table with reference to said one of the bus addresses.

Abstract: A method of determining a physical location of a hard drive includes the steps of: executing commands to obtain generic device names of expanders, addresses of hard drives connected to the expanders, slot numbers corresponding to the addresses, logical device names of the hard drives, the address of the hard drives; establishing correspondence information by using the address to link the generic device name of the expander to the logical device name of the hard drive connected to the expander, and to the slot number; and determining, according to the correspondence information, the generic device name of the expander to which a hard drive is connected and the slot number corresponding to the hard drive is installed, so as to locate the hard drive.

Abstract: A plug-and-play solution deployment mechanism and infrastructure to automate deployment of network cluster devices is disclosed. The solution includes an agile hardware topology discovery mechanism to automatically map the hardware of the cluster devices. The solution includes an intelligent engine for recognition of BIOS configuration setting and BIOS configuration of the devices. The solution also includes a demand-driven Cloud architecture design engine to design and test a cloud architecture incorporating the cluster devices.

Abstract: A method for determining a type of a device connected to an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) includes steps of: a) transmitting requests to bus addresses of the I2C, respectively; b) upon receipt of a response message transmitted by a device in response to receipt of one of the requests from one of the bus addresses, determining that the device is connected to said one of the bus addresses; and c) according to a lookup table that includes plural of entries, each of which has a corresponding device type and respective address set consisting of at least one reference address conforming with one of the bus addresses, determining a type of the device as one of the device types in the lookup table with reference to said one of the bus addresses.

Abstract: A method for controlling firmware update of a set of serially coupled expanders is implemented by a host computer. The host computer checks whether or not none of the expanders is in a condition of updating firmware. The host computer permits transmission of the firmware update file to a to-be-updated expander when the determination is affirmative.

Abstract: A method of determining a physical location of a hard drive includes the steps of: executing commands to obtain generic device names of expanders, addresses of hard drives connected to the expanders, slot numbers corresponding to the addresses, logical device names of the hard drives, the address of the hard drives; establishing correspondence information by using the address to link the generic device name of the expander to the logical device name of the hard drive connected to the expander, and to the slot number; and determining, according to the correspondence information, the generic device name of the expander to which a hard drive is connected and the slot number corresponding to the hard drive is installed, so as to locate the hard drive.