Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided that may include encrypting, based least in part upon at least one key, one or more respective portions of input data to generate one or more respective portions of output data to be stored in one or more locations in storage. The method of this embodiment also may include generating, based at least in part upon the one or more respective portions of the output data, check data to be stored in the storage, and/or selecting the one or more locations in the storage so as to permit the one or more respective portions of the output data to be distributed among two or more storage devices comprised in the storage. Many modifications, variations, and alternatives are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided that may include encrypting, based least in part upon at least one key, one or more respective portions of input data to generate one or more respective portions of output data to be stored in one or more locations in storage. The method of this embodiment also may include generating, based at least in part upon the one or more respective portions of the output data, check data to be stored in the storage, and/or selecting the one or more locations in the storage so as to permit the one or more respective portions of the output data to be distributed among two or more storage devices comprised in the storage. Many modifications, variations, and alternatives are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided that may include encrypting, based least in part upon at least one key, one or more respective portions of input data to generate one or more respective portions of output data to be stored in one or more locations in storage. The method of this embodiment also may include generating, based at least in part upon the one or more respective portions of the output data, check data to be stored in the storage, and/or selecting the one or more locations in the storage so as to permit the one or more respective portions of the output data to be distributed among two or more storage devices comprised in the storage. Many modifications, variations, and alternatives are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Abstract: Techniques for enabling remote recovery of computer system is disclosed. OOB communication with a provisioning server is established using a wireless communication device on a computer system that fails. The computer system includes an OOB controller. The OOB communication is authenticated. A disk image is downloaded from a server. Operations to correct the failure are performed.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for cache management. An incoming request to access a first data block is received. A probability of how likely a second data block may be accessed based on the access of the first data block is determined. Whether the probability exceeds a read ahead threshold is determined. The second data block is prefetched in response to determining that the probability exceeds the read ahead threshold.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for booting and provisioning a platform connected to a boot and provisioning server including a server boot and provisioning system. The server boot and provisioning system receives a platform identifier, selects a platform specific boot image based on the platform identifier in response to determining that the platform identifier is valid, and selects a platform specific configuration profile based on the platform identifier in response to determining that the platform identifier is valid. Also provided are techniques for booting and provisioning a platform connected to a boot and provisioning server, wherein the platform includes a platform boot and provisioning system.

Abstract: Provided is a technique for power and performance management of one or more storage devices. With a power and performance management agent, a power change notification identifying a power set point is received and a power state of at least one storage device is adjusted.

Abstract: A firmware-based mechanism for creating, storing and retrieving variable-length records associated with error events occurring in a computer platform. The mechanism responds to error notifications by invoking a firmware-based error-handling module. The error-handling module retrieves processor-specific error information and may also interrogate the other components of the computer platform to determine their error status. Then, according to the nature of the discovered errors, the error-handling module may assemble the retrieved error information and status information into a variable-length error record, which the error-handling module may then store in a memory. On request from a processing agent, the error-handling module may retrieve a previously-stored error record and present it to the requesting agent. Thus, the invention provides a unified and standardized approach to computer error handling at the firmware level.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide environment-based instruction selection are disclosed. In one example, a disclosed method may include locating a storage device storing a plurality of instruction sets, determining which sets of the plurality of instruction sets are compatible based on an environmental factor associated with a processor, copying the compatible instruction sets into a memory and executing the compatible instruction sets.

Abstract: A firmware-based mechanism for creating, storing and retrieving variable-length records associated with error events occurring in a computer platform. The mechanism responds to error notifications by invoking a firmware-based error-handling module. The error-handling module retrieves processor-specific error information and may also interrogate the other components of the computer platform to determine their error status. Then, according to the nature of the discovered errors, the error-handling module may assemble the retrieved error information and status information into a variable-length error record, which the error-handling module may then store in a memory. On request from a processing agent, the error-handling module may retrieve a previously-stored error record and present it to the requesting agent. Thus, the invention provides a unified and standardized approach to computer error handling at the firmware level.