Abstract: A digital software licensing system includes one or more subsystems to issue an order for one or more software licenses to a software vendor, receive from the vendor a wrapped license file, decrypt the wrapped license file using a manufacturer private key and verify authenticity of wrapped license file using a vendor public key. The wrapped license file includes a list of license keys which are signed using a vendor private key and encrypted using the manufacturer public key.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing embedded user authentication and/or providing computing services using an information handling system configured as flexible computing node, and which may be implemented to perform preboot authentication of users. The flexible computing node may also be configured to provision the appropriate work environment for a given user based on one or more user parameters (e.g. entitlements, location, network connection, and/or other parameters).

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing embedded user authentication and/or providing computing services using an information handling system configured as flexible computing node, and which may be implemented to perform preboot authentication of users. The flexible computing node may also be configured to provision the appropriate work environment for a given user based on one or more user parameters (e.g. entitlements, location, network connection, and/or other parameters).

Abstract: A digital software licensing system including one or more subsystems to issue an order for one or more software licenses to a software vendor, receive from the vendor a wrapped license file, decrypt the wrapped license file using a manufacturer private key and verify authenticity of wrapped license file using a vendor public key. The wrapped license file includes a list of license keys which are signed using a vendor private key and encrypted using the manufacturer public key.

Abstract: A portable information handling system is provided that monitors one or more sensed conditions to determine if the system is currently placed in an unusable state. If the system determines that it has been placed in an unusable state such as being placed in the dark or upside down, then a reduced power mode is entered. Significant power savings are thus achieved because the system consumes power at a substantially reduced rate when it is determined to be in an unusable state.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for strategic power supply sequencing in a computer system. The system and method includes a plurality of processing resources that process data and a plurality of power supplies that provide power for the processing resources. A power management engine adjusts the power supplies in response to processing resource changes to optimize power consumption. The power management engine brings online power supplies to meet the demand created by bringing online additional processing resources and brings offline power supplies to meet the decreased demand caused by a decrease in the number of processing resources. Also, the power management engine rotates which power supplies operate to take advantage of more efficient power supplies and to extend the lives of the power supplies. The power management engine also adjusts the power supplies in advance based upon predicted demand levels for the computer system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring the security of a particular configuration of hardware and software for an information handling system that is assembled using a “build-to-order” system. The present invention ensures the security and integrity of data on an information handling system from the point of manufacture to the final destination at the customer's facility. The information handling system is then manufactured with the operating system and a predetermined set of software being installed thereon. A manifest file is constructed comprising a predetermined set of data files and configuration information. The manifest file is digitally signed with at least one digital key. When the information handling system performs its initial boot, a second digital key, securely stored in a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), is used to extract information from the manifest file and the existing data files and configuration information is compared to the information contained in the manifest file.

Abstract: A software activation method is disclosed which uses a two-key paradigm. The method provides increased piracy protection while providing a relatively straight forward process for a user to satisfy a license claim.

Abstract: A method to boot a computer system only to a secured network is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a method to boot a client only to a secured network, includes connecting the client to a secured network server through the secured network, wherein the secured network server functions as an access control list manager and includes an authorization table listing clients authorized to boot an operating system (OS) only if the client is connected to the secured network server. The method further includes transmitting a claim over the secured network from the client to the secured network server such that the client requests authorization to boot. The method further includes validating at the secured network server the claim against the authorization table. The method further includes determining whether the response denies or permits the client authorization to boot the OS.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved handling of messages transmitted over a plurality of wireless and wired networks. Electronic mail transmitted by a mail source via an internet connection is received by a server that is operably connected to an intranet that is protected by a firewall. The server adds a timestamp to the incoming email and forwards the email to first information handling system. The server also relays the email to a network operations center (NOC) that transmits a copy of the email via a wireless transmitter. The present invention provides a method and apparatus to selectively prevent transmission of the relayed email by the NOC by sending a cancellation signal to the NOC or by suppressing the relay of the email to the NOC, thereby providing a cost saving and increased efficiency of bandwidth utilization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring the security of a particular configuration of hardware and software for an information handling system that is assembled using a “build-to-order” system. The present invention ensures the security and integrity of data on an information handling system from the point of manufacture to the final destination at the customer's facility. The information handling system is then manufactured with the operating system and a predetermined set of software being installed thereon. A manifest file is constructed comprising a predetermined set of data files and configuration information. The manifest file is electronically signed with at least one electronic key. When the information handling system performs its initial boot, a second electronic key is used to extract information from the manifest file and the existing data files and configuration information is compared to the information contained in the manifest file.

Abstract: A portable information handling system is provided that monitors one or more sensed conditions to determine if the system is currently placed in an unusable state. If the system determines that it has been placed in an unusable state such as being placed in the dark or upside down, then a reduced power mode is entered. Significant power savings are thus achieved because the system consumes power at a substantially reduced rate when it is determined to be in an unusable state.

Abstract: A system and method for securing access to memory modules includes a memory module, a virtual memory module, a boot module, and a gatekeeper. The boot module accepts a key and requests for the memory module and provides the requests and the key to the virtual memory module. The virtual memory module is externally accessible by the boot module and accepts the provided key and the requests from the boot module and transmits the requests and the provided key from the boot module to the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper regulates access to the memory module allowing no other components to directly access the memory module. The gatekeeper receives the provided key from the virtual memory module and the gatekeeper authenticates the provided key by comparing it with a stored key stored in secure location. Upon proper authentication of the provided key, the gatekeeper executes the request in the memory module.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a computer system, including a selected hardware configuration and a selected software configuration is disclosed. An order is placed on an order entry system which generates a hardware list and a software list from the order. In one embodiment, the hardware list is checked to verify that the selected hardware components are compatible with each other. In another other embodiment, the software list is checked to verify that the software components on the list are compatible with one another. In another embodiment, the software and hardware lists are cross checked to verify compatibility of the hardware components with the software components. The software components are recorded on a storage device to enable a user to restore the software components at a later time should that ever become necessary.

Abstract: A mouse computer input peripheral device includes a window area integrally constructed within the mouse and positioned at an area on the mouse upon which a user normally places a finger in operating the mouse. The mouse further includes an illuminating device and a light sensitive detection device for providing a user signature signal representative of the characteristics of the ridge and valley pattern of the fingerprint of a finger placed upon the window area. The signature signal is transmitted to the BIOS within the computer system in which the mouse is operating and compared with one or more stored patterns which have previously been authorized for access to the computer system. When the user's signature signal is compared with and matches one of the stored and approved signature signals, the system is enabled and the user is granted access.