Abstract: A method and system for migrating at least one critical resource during a migration of an operative portion of a computer system are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the method includes (a) sending first information constituting a substantial copy of a first of the at least one critical resource via at least one intermediary between a source component and a destination component. The method further includes (b) transitioning a status of the destination component from being incapable of receiving requests to being capable of receiving requests, and (c) re-programming an abstraction block to include modified addresses so that at least one incoming request signal is forwarded to the destination component rather than to the source component.

Abstract: A partitionable server that enables user access thereto is provided. The partitionable server includes a plurality of partitions, each running an independent instance of an operating system (OS) and a first management module located in the partitionable server and interfacing with the plurality of partitions, the first management module is separate from the plurality of partitions and includes a physical user interface for local access to the partitionable server. The first management module is operable to provide mapping of a physical user interface device, which locally accesses the partitionable server through the physical user interface, to a virtual user interface of any one of the plurality partitions as desired for accessing the one partition.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving one or more protected regions within a computer system having multiple partitions are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the system includes an intermediary device for use within the computer system having the multiple partitions. The intermediary device includes a fabric device, and a first firewall device capable of limiting communication of a signal based upon at least one of a source of the signal and an intended destination of the signal, the first firewall device being at least indirectly coupled to the fabric device. The intermediary device further includes a first conversion device that is one of integrated with the first firewall device and distinct from the first firewall device, and that is capable of converting between a processor address and a fabric address for use by the fabric device. In some embodiments, the various devices each include Control and Status Registers (CSRs).

Abstract: A method and system for migrating at least one critical resource during a migration of an operative portion of a computer system are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the method includes (a) sending first information constituting a substantial copy of a first of the at least one critical resource via at least one intermediary between a source component and a destination component. The method further includes (b) transitioning a status of the destination component from being incapable of receiving requests to being capable of receiving requests, and (c) re-programming an abstraction block to include modified addresses so that at least one incoming request signal is forwarded to the destination component rather than to the source component.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving one or more protected regions within a computer system having multiple partitions are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the system includes an intermediary device for use within the computer system having the multiple partitions. The intermediary device includes a fabric device, and a first firewall device capable of limiting communication of a signal based upon at least one of a source of the signal and an intended destination of the signal, the first firewall device being at least indirectly coupled to the fabric device. The intermediary device further includes a first conversion device that is one of integrated with the first firewall device and distinct from the first firewall device, and that is capable of converting between a processor address and a fabric address for use by the fabric device. In some embodiments, the various devices each include Control and Status Registers (CSRs).

Abstract: A partitionable server that enables user access thereto is provided. The partitionable server includes a plurality of partitions, each running an independent instance of an operating system (OS) and a first management module located in the partitionable server and interfacing with the plurality of partitions, the first management module is separate from the plurality of partitions and includes a physical user interface for local access to the partitionable server. The first management module is operable to provide mapping of a physical user interface device, which locally accesses the partitionable server through the physical user interface, to a virtual user interface of any one of the plurality partitions as desired for accessing the one partition.

Abstract: A system for sharing data between partitions is provided. The system comprises a plurality of partitions and a storage accessible to the plurality of partitions. Each partition comprises an inter-partition data sharing logic comprising one or more registers that receive data packets for sharing between partitions, and a connection to a system fabric operably coupling the inter- partition data sharing logic to the storage. The system fabric couples the partitions, through the storage, to one another instead of use of a network connection. Alternatively, a management subsystem may also be used to couple the partitions to one another instead of use of a network connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods of sharing removable media storage (RMS) devices in multi-partitioned systems are disclosed. An exemplary method may include receiving requests from a plurality of partitions of a processor to map at least one shared RMS device for the multi-partitioned system. The method may also include scheduling the requests if the shared RMS device is unavailable. The method may also include automatically mapping the at least one shared RMS device to the partitions one at a time as the at least one shared RMS device becomes available.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, media, computing devices, network adapters, and other embodiments associated with network communications are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a multi-drop Ethernet network.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enabling a single computer system to execute both operating systems that permit multiple devices to be mapped to a single PCI function and operating systems that do not permit such mapping. Prior to loading and executing an operating system (e.g., during system reset), the computer system determines whether the operating system supports mapping of multiple devices to a single function. If such mapping is supported, the computer system maps multiple devices on a single PCI card to a single function in the PCI configuration space for the card. If such mapping is not supported, the computer system maps each device to a separate PCI function. The computer system then loads and executes the operating system. The operating system is thereby enabled to access all devices on the bus according to the particular device-function mapping scheme supported by the operating system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing nonvolatile memory management are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment a system may include a nonvolatile memory and a memory manager operatively associated with the nonvolatile memory. A plurality of management functions provided by the memory manager for accessing device data stored in the nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with a system boot are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a system for a computing device that includes at least a console. The example system includes a boot logic configured to detect whether communication with the console is functional or non-functional and to allow the computing device to boot with a non-functional console.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with general purpose event register blocks are described. One example system embodiment can include a general purpose event (GPE) register logic that can be configurable to provide multiple system control interrupt (SCI) output signals and be configurable to map selected event signals to selected SCI output signals where the multiple SCI output signals can be routed to multiple partitioned computer systems.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enabling a single computer system to execute both operating systems that permit multiple devices to be mapped to a single PCI function and operating systems that do not permit such mapping. Prior to loading and executing an operating system (e.g., during system reset), the computer system determines whether the operating system supports mapping of multiple devices to a single function. If such mapping is supported, the computer system maps multiple devices on a single PCI card to a single function in the PCI configuration space for the card. If such mapping is not supported, the computer system maps each device to a separate PCI function. The computer system then loads and executes the operating system. The operating system is thereby enabled to access all devices on the bus according to the particular device-function mapping scheme supported by the operating system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for use in a computer system including a first revision compatibility descriptor identifying a first plurality of compatible combinations of field-programmable unit codes. The method includes steps of: (A) determining whether the first revision compatibility descriptor identifies first field-programmable unit code for use in a first field-programmable unit as being compatible with the computer system; and (B) if the first revision compatibility descriptor does not identify the first field-programmable unit code as being compatible with the computer system, performing a step of updating the first revision compatibility descriptor to identify the first field-programmable unit code as being compatible with the computer system.

Abstract: In a computer system including a first field-programmable unit including first field-programmable unit (FPU) code, computer-implemented techniques are disclosed for determining whether the first FPU code is compatible with the computer system and, if the first FPU code is determined not to be compatible with the computer system, notifying a user of the computer system of the incompatibility.