Abstract: A remote management controller may include a capture engine and a processor. The capture engine may be configured to: obtain a slice of video data output from a video graphics controller; calculate at least one value correlative to the slice of video data; determine whether any portion of the slice has been locked; and if any portion has not been locked and if the calculated value for such portion of the slice differs from a value for a previously obtained corresponding portion, move the portion to a virtual screen buffer, update a table associated with the virtual screen buffer with the calculated value, and modify a change table to indicate that the portion has changed.

Abstract: A remote management controller may include a capture engine and a processor. The capture engine may be configured to obtain a slice of video data output from a video graphics controller, calculate at least one value correlative to the slice of video data, and, if the calculated value for any portion of the slice differs from a value for a previously obtained corresponding portion, move the portion to a virtual screen buffer and update a first table associated with the virtual screen buffer with the calculated value, the first table configured to store values for each slice of video data.

Abstract: A remote management controller may include a video redirection device and a processor. The video redirection device may be configured to: obtain a slice of video data output from a video graphics controller; calculate at least one value correlative to the slice of video data; and if the calculated value for any portion of the slice differs from a value for a previously obtained corresponding portion, update a table associated with an image related to a remote system with the calculated value, and process the portion of the slice to create a data portion of a network packet in a network buffer. The processor may be configured to: allocate the network buffer; and provide a header portion of the network packet to the network buffer.

Abstract: A remote management controller may include a capture engine and a processor. The capture engine may be configured to obtain a slice of video data output from a video graphics controller, store the slice of video data, and calculate at least one value correlative to the slice of video data. The processor may be configured to retrieve the slice of video data stored by the capture engine and process any changed portion of the slice of video data for transmission to a remote system.

Abstract: A remote management controller may include a video redirection device and a processor. The video redirection device may be configured to: obtain multiple separate slices of video data output from a video graphics controller; calculate at least one value correlative to each of the multiple separate slices of video data; and if the calculated value for any portion of any of the multiple separate slices differs from a value for a previously obtained corresponding portion, update a table associated with an image related to a remote system with the calculated value, process the portion of the slice into a network packet, and move the network packet to one of multiple network buffers. The processor may be configured to: allocate the multiple network buffers; and facilitate transmission of the network packets loaded into the network buffers to the remote system.

Abstract: Logging into a remote computer by way of a management processor to initiate a remote console session and switching between a default remote console session and a non-default remote console session.

Abstract: A unique method and system to update or modify the original boot block of a computer system without endangering the integrity of the system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system that allows for a secondary boot block to be substituted for the original boot block. This is accomplished by having the original boot block check for a replacement secondary boot block as early in the startup code as is feasible. If a valid secondary boot block is found, the startup process is passed to the secondary boot block. The original boot block is maintained, however, so the system can always be recovered.

Abstract: Certain accesses by a processor to a video graphics controller may cause concurrent accesses by a remote management controller to cause the video graphics controller to lock up. To detect potential lock-up events, the remote management controller snoops the bus to determine whether the processor is performing a type of access that could lead to a potential lock-up condition. If so, the remote management controller ceases accessing the bus until the video graphics controller is in an available state.

Abstract: A computer system implements a standard modem without the use of a microcontroller. Instead, a digital signal processor is provided on an expansion card, but with direct links to the computer system itself. The code usually implemented in the microcontroller is instead implemented as a virtual modem controller to be called by the operating system of the computer itself. Further, this virtual modem controller includes a virtualized UART, that appears to the operating system software as a hardware UART, with entry points for calls to replace input/output instructions. In this way, standard device driver code written to execute input/output operations is easily converted to operate with the “virtualized” UART.

Abstract: A method and apparatus updates video graphics changes of a managed computer to a remote computer. These updates may be performed independent of the operating system. In one embodiment, the screen (e.g., frame buffer) of the managed computer is divided into a number of blocks. A remote management controller snoops a bus coupling a processor to a video graphics controller to determine whether the processor has changed the contents of some blocks. If so, the location of the first changed block and the last changed block is stored in a pair of registers. The registers are periodically checked during the normal row-by-row scanning of the blocks. If the registers contain information indicating that a portion of the frame buffer has been changed, the remote management controller may temporarily terminate normal scanning in favor of scanning the changed portion.

Abstract: A router is provided. The router comprises a modem, a switch, a first set of connectors, a second connector, and a controller. The switch is movable between first and second operating positions. The first set of connectors is adapted to be coupled to a first plurality of external devices. The second connector is adapted to be coupled to a second external device, and the controller is adapted to route data between the first plurality of external devices and the modem in response to the switch being in the first operating position, and to route data between the second external device and the modem in response to the switch being in the second operating position.

Abstract: Certain accesses by a processor to a video graphics controller may cause concurrent accesses by a remote management controller to cause the video graphics controller to lock up. To detect potential lock-up events, the remote management controller snoops the bus to determine whether the processor is performing a type of access that could lead to a potential lock-up condition. If so, the remote management controller ceases accessing the bus until the video graphics controller is in an available state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus updates video graphics changes of a managed computer to a remote computer. These updates may be performed independent of the operating system. In one embodiment, the screen (e.g., frame buffer) of the managed computer is divided into a number of blocks. A remote management controller snoops a bus coupling a processor to a video graphics controller to determine whether the processor has changed the contents of some blocks. If so, the location of the first changed block and the last changed block is stored in a pair of registers. The registers are periodically checked during the normal row-by-row scanning of the blocks. If the registers contain information indicating that a portion of the frame buffer has been changed, the remote management controller may temporarily terminate normal scanning in favor of scanning the changed portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus captures the color palettes of a video graphics controller of a managed computer to a remote computer to transmit correct color information to a remote computer. A remote management controller may perform this technique independent from the operating system. The managed computer includes a processor and a video graphics controller. The remote management controller snoops a bus, which couples the processor to the video graphics controller, for processor accesses to the EGA and VGA color palettes stored in the video graphics controller. The remote management controller includes an EGA shadow look up table and a VGA shadow look up table that store the snooped information which is used to create correct color information to be transmitted to the remote computer so that it can display the same colors generated at the managed computer.

Abstract: A computing device includes a network connector located on its front panel. The location of the network connector allows a user, such as a system administrator, to connect a management console to the front of the computing device to facilitate management operations.

Abstract: A unique method and system to update or modify the original boot block of a computer system without endangering the integrity of the system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system that allows for a secondary boot block to be substituted for the original boot block. This is accomplished by having the original boot block check for a replacement secondary boot block as early in the startup code as is feasible. If a valid secondary boot block is found, the startup process is passed to the secondary boot block. The original boot block is maintained, however, so the system can always be recovered.

Abstract: A computer system implements a standard modem without the use of a microcontroller. Instead, a digital signal processor is provided on an expansion card, but with direct links to the computer system itself. The code usually implemented in the microcontroller is instead implemented as a virtual modem controller to be called by the operating system of the computer itself. Further, this virtual modem controller includes a virtualized UART, that appears to the operating system software as a hardware UART, with entry points for calls to replace input/output instructions. In this way, standard device driver code written to execute input/output operations is easily converted to operate with the “virtualized” UART.

Abstract: A computer system implements a standard modem without the use of a microcontroller. Instead, a digital signal processor is provided on an expansion card, but with direct links to the computer system itself. The code usually implemented in the microcontroller is instead implemented as a virtual modem controller to be called by the operating system of the computer itself. Further, this virtual modem controller includes a virtualized UART, that appears to the operating system software as a hardware UART, with entry points for calls to replace input/output instructions. In this way, standard device driver code written to execute input/output operations is easily converted to operate with the “virtualized” UART.

Abstract: A dual function memory device having a RAM array and a ROM array contained in a single integrated circuit package. Preferably the RAM cells are static RAM cells, and the ROM cells are flash ROM. Either the RAM cells or the ROM cells, but not both, can be accessed during a single memory transaction. The memory device includes a ROM select signal that determines selects the operating mode for the memory. When the ROM select is asserted, the ROM cells can be accessed so that the memory device operates as a ROM. When the ROM select signal is deasserted, the RAM cells can be accessed so that the memory device operates as a RAM. The RAM and ROM arrays connect to a common address bus and thus occupy separate address spaces. The RAM and ROM arrays also connect to a common data bus and may share a plurality of control signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a programmable device with operational parameters applicable to successive operational environments. According to some aspects, the method includes the steps of programming memory with a common operational code applicable to multiple operational environments, programming memory with a first operational environment dependent code, operating said device in a first operational environment, changing to a second operational environment, adding a second operational environment dependent code, and operating in a second operational environment. According to some aspects, the apparatus comprises a programmable device operating according to a set of operational parameters reprogrammably stored therein.