Abstract: A computer system warranty upgrade method and apparatus are provided. When a warranty upgrade is desired, the computer requesting a warranty upgrade sends its configuration information to a remote warranty server computer. The warranty server prepares a warranty price quote specific to the particular configuration of the requesting computer. When the price quote is paid, the warranty server encrypts and transmits a warranty authorization to the requesting computer. The warranty authorization includes warranty type, duration, the specific configuration warranted and an identification number unique to the requesting computer. These data are authenticated and validated by a secure processor in the requesting computer. After validation, the validated data is stored in secure storage by the secure processor.

Abstract: A computer system warranty upgrade method and apparatus are provided. The computer system is programmed to detect a change in its configuration such as when new components are installed. When such a configuration change is detected, the computer system sends a warranty upgrade request including configuration information to a remote warranty server computer. The warranty server prepares a warranty price quote specific to the particular configuration of the requesting computer. When the quoted price is paid, the warranty server digitally signs and transmits a warranty authorization to the requesting computer. The warranty authorization includes warranty type, duration, the specific configuration warranted and an identification number unique to the requesting computer. These data are authenticated and validated by a secure processor in the requesting computer. After validation, the verified data is stored in secure storage by the secure processor.

Abstract: An information handling system is disclosed that retires events upon device replacement. The system has several devices of one or more types and each device includes nonvolatile memory. A unique identifier, for devices of that type, is stored in the nonvolatile memory of each device. A first memory segment stores an event log. The event log has entries that identify system events. A second memory segment stores identifiers of devices that correspond to an entry of the event log. At least one of the corresponding devices is removable. The system detects the removal of the devices and, in response, removes any entries in the event log that correspond only to identifiers of one or more devices that have been removed.

Abstract: A system for restricting access to computer information accessible by a computer system. A computer system having access to computer information includes a detection circuit for receiving a wireless identification signal from a transmitting circuit of an identification object such as an identification badge. The identification signal includes identification information regarding the assigned possessor of the security object. In one embodiment, the detection circuit determines whether the assigned possessor of the security object as indicated by the wireless identification signal has authorized access to computer information accessible by the computer system. A user is given access if the identification information contained in the identification signal indicates that the assigned possessor is an authorized user.

Abstract: An information handling system is disclosed that retires events upon device replacement. The system has several devices of one or more types and each device includes nonvolatile memory. A unique identifier, for devices of that type, is stored in the nonvolatile memory of each device. A first memory segment stores an event log. The event log has entries that identify system events. A second memory segment stores identifiers of devices that correspond to an entry of the event log. At least one of the corresponding devices is removable. The system detects the removal of the devices and, in response, removes any entries in the event log that correspond only to identifiers of one or more devices that have been removed.

Abstract: A system that includes a computer system configured to boot using a system firmware is provided. The system firmware includes instructions for causing the computer system to detect a test apparatus coupled to the computer system and initiate a manufacturing mode of the system firmware in response to detecting the test apparatus coupled to the computer system.

Abstract: A system and method of arbitrating access on a bus includes a bus, a bus expander, a boot module, and a management module. The bus expander includes an access engine, a first bus interface, a second bus interface, and a plurality of general purpose input/output ports. The boot module couples with a first segment of the bus and communicatively couples to the bus expander via the first bus interface. The management module couples with a second bus segment of the bus and communicatively couples with the bus expander via the second bus interface. The boot module and the management module make one or more access requests for one or more devices interfaced with the general purpose input/output ports of the bus expander thereby allowing the modules to communicate with the devices. The access engine arbitrates the access requests made by the modules to prevent bus hang conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for interpreting sensor data utilizing virtual sensors includes a plurality of physical sensors having a sensor number, a virtual sensor repository including a plurality of virtual sensors and an event log, a management controller, and one or more agents and allows for a central repository for a plurality of sensor values and a consistent and uniform view of system health. The management controller associates each of the physical sensors with one or more of the virtual sensors utilizing the sensor numbers. The management controller further stores within each of the associated virtual sensors the sensor value from the physical sensor associated with the associated virtual sensor. The one or more agents request and receive the sensor value for a desired physical sensor from one or more of the virtual sensors located in the virtual sensor repository instead of directly from the desired physical sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for interpreting sensor data utilizing virtual sensors includes a plurality of physical sensors having a sensor number, a virtual sensor repository including a plurality of virtual sensors and an event log, a management controller, and one or more agents and allows for a central repository for a plurality of sensor values and a consistent and uniform view of system health. The management controller associates each of the physical sensors with one or more of the virtual sensors utilizing the sensor numbers. The management controller further stores within each of the associated virtual sensors the sensor value from the physical sensor associated with the associated virtual sensor. The one or more agents request and receive the sensor value for a desired physical sensor from one or more of the virtual sensors located in the virtual sensor repository instead of directly from the desired physical sensor.

Abstract: A computer system configured to retrieve a preboot image from a first remote location and execute the preboot image. The preboot image is configured to cause the computer system to detect a status indication associated with a previous boot attempt by the computer system, and, in response to the status indication indicating a local boot attempt state, to retrieve a first boot image from a second remote location and to boot the computer system using the first boot image.

Abstract: A system and method of arbitrating access on a bus includes a bus, a bus expander, a boot module, and a management module. The bus expander includes an access engine, a first bus interface, a second bus interface, and a plurality of general purpose input/output ports. The boot module couples with a first segment of the bus and communicatively couples to the bus expander via the first bus interface. The management module couples with a second bus segment of the bus and communicatively couples with the bus expander via the second bus interface. The boot module and the management module make one or more access requests for one or more devices interfaced with the general purpose input/output ports of the bus expander thereby allowing the modules to communicate with the devices. The access engine arbitrates the access requests made by the modules to prevent bus hang conditions.

Abstract: A method of decreasing boot up time in a computer system is disclosed. The method may include initiating a basic input/output system (BIOS) boot process in the computer system. The method determines a total amount of memory installed in the computer system and divides the total amount of memory into a first memory group and a second memory group based on a system policy that sets a size of the first memory group. The method initializes the first memory group in the computer system such that the first memory group includes sufficient memory to load an operating system. The method loads an operating system on the computer system. In response to loading the operating system on the computer system, the method causes a plurality of system management interrupts (SMI) to occur whereby a portion of the second memory group is initialized during each of the SMI.

Abstract: A computer system that includes a program and component information stored in a hidden partition on a hard disk drive of the computer system such that the program is configured to cause the computer system to store the component information into a portion of a memory, create a first table associated with the information, store the first table into the portion of the memory, and notify the system firmware of the first table and the portion of the memory.

Abstract: A system and method for interpreting sensor data utilizing virtual sensors includes a plurality of physical sensors having a sensor number, a virtual sensor repository including a plurality of virtual sensors and an event log, a management controller, and one or more agents and allows for a central repository for a plurality of sensor values and a consistent and uniform view of system health. The management controller associates each of the physical sensors with one or more of the virtual sensors utilizing the sensor numbers. The management controller further stores within each of the associated virtual sensors the sensor value from the physical sensor associated with the associated virtual sensor. The one or more agents request and receive the sensor value for a desired physical sensor from one or more of the virtual sensors located in the virtual sensor repository instead of directly from the desired physical sensor.

Abstract: A method and system for reporting detected errors in a computer system. The computer system includes a processor, communication device, and subsystems. The communication device preferably includes a preprogrammed reporting address associated with a technical support center. When an error is detected within the system, an error specific message is generated. The communication device then sends the error message to the preprogrammed address. The technical support center, resident at the preprogrammed address receives the error message and is able to more effectively respond to the detected error message.

Abstract: A system and method for interpreting sensor data utilizing virtual sensors includes a plurality of physical sensors having a sensor number, a virtual sensor repository including a plurality of virtual sensors and an event log, a management controller, and one or more agents and allows for a central repository for a plurality of sensor values and a consistent and uniform view of system health. The management controller associates each of the physical sensors with one or more of the virtual sensors utilizing the sensor numbers. The management controller further stores within each of the associated virtual sensors the sensor value from the physical sensor associated with the associated virtual sensor. The one or more agents request and receive the sensor value for a desired physical sensor from one or more of the virtual sensors located in the virtual sensor repository instead of directly from the desired physical sensor.

Abstract: A system that includes a computer system configured to boot using a system firmware is provided. The system firmware includes instructions for causing the computer system to provide a control code to a test apparatus configured to perform a functional test on the computer system and receive information provided by the test apparatus in response to the control code.

Abstract: An information handling system is disclosed that retires events upon device replacement. The system has several devices of one or more types and each device includes nonvolatile memory. A unique identifier, for devices of that type, is stored in the nonvolatile memory of each device. A first memory segment stores an event log. The event log has entries that identify system events. A second memory segment stores identifiers of devices that correspond to an entry of the event log. At least one of the corresponding devices is removable. The system detects the removal of the devices and, in response, removes any entries in the event log that correspond only to identifiers of one or more devices that have been removed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for utilizing system configurations in a modular computer system. The system and method includes one or more modular components and a midplane operable to receive a modular component configuration. One or more system configurations determine how the modular components interoperate with each other. A management module determines if the modular component configuration satisfies a selected system configuration and provides an indication of whether the modular component configuration satisfies one or more requirements of the selected system configuration. When the modular component configuration does not satisfy the requirements of the selected system configuration, the management module provides a configuration warning alerting a user to a configuration problem with the modular component configuration.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for utilizing system configurations in a modular computer system. The system and method includes one or more modular components and a midplane operable to receive a modular component configuration. One or more system configurations determine how the modular components interoperate with each other. A management module determines if the modular component configuration satisfies a selected system configuration and provides an indication of whether the modular component configuration satisfies one or more requirements of the selected system configuration. When the modular component configuration does not satisfy the requirements of the selected system configuration, the management module provides a configuration warning alerting a user to a configuration problem with the modular component configuration.