Abstract: A computer-implemented method for verifying a boot process of a computing system includes reading, by the computing system during the boot process, a header section of a read-write portion of firmware of the computing system. The method further includes generating, using a first cryptographic hash algorithm, a message digest corresponding with the header, and decrypting, using a first public-key, an encrypted signature corresponding to the header. The method further includes comparing the message digest corresponding with the header and the decrypted signature corresponding to the header. In the event the message digest corresponding to the header and the decrypted signature corresponding to the header match, the boot process is continued. In the event the message digest corresponding to the header and the decrypted signature corresponding to the header do not match, the boot process is halted.

Abstract: To provide a secure installation and execution software environment, locked version numbers are maintained. A locked version number associated with a software program may be stored. When a request is received to update the software program with an update package, a package number of the update package may be compared to the locked version number. The software program may be updated with the update package if the package number is at least as recent as the locked version number, and the updating of the software program with the update package may be restricted if the package number is earlier than the locked version number.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for validating computer hardware identification information. A validation server can receive a request from an offer provider to validate an instance of computer hardware for enrollment in an offer. The offer may be associated with a service identifier. The validation server can request a hardware identification code from the instance of computer hardware. The validation server can receive the hardware identification code from the instance of computer hardware. The validation server can validate that the hardware identification code is eligible to enroll in the offer associated with the service identifier and then transmit a response to the offer provider indicating the validated status while maintaining privacy of the hardware identification code away from the offer provider.

Abstract: Process and steps for the production of biodiesel and/or glycerin from feedstock are provided.

Abstract: Process and steps for the production of biodiesel and/or glycerin from feedstock are provided.

Abstract: Process and steps for the production of biodiesel and/or glycerin from feedstock are provided.

Abstract: Process and steps for the production of biodiesel and/or glycerin from feedstock are provided.

Abstract: Process and steps for the production of biodiesel and/or glycerin from feedstock are provided.

Abstract: Process and steps for the production of biodiesel and/or glycerin from feedstock are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for verifying a boot process of a computing system are disclosed. An example computer-implemented method includes reading, by a computing system during a boot process, a header section of a read-write portion of firmware of the computing system. The example method further includes generating, using a first cryptographic hash algorithm, a message digest corresponding with the header. The example method also includes decrypting, using a first public-key, an encrypted signature corresponding with the header. The example method still further includes comparing the message digest corresponding with the header and the decrypted signature corresponding with the header. In the event the message digest corresponding with the header and the decrypted signature corresponding with the header match, the example method includes continuing the boot process.

Abstract: One example embodiment of an approach to circuit design simulation involves simulating a circuit design. Access to a circuit design block is provided for a plurality of simulation tools. A run status associated with the circuit design block is updated in response to the block being simulated by one of the plurality of simulation tools. In response to a first simulation tool request for access to information regarding a circuit design block, a run status of the block is checked, the run status being indicative of the block being simulated. The block is simulated as a function of the run status, and results of the simulation are returned to the simulation tool making the first simulation tool request.

Abstract: An example embodiment of an approach to circuit design simulation involves runtime configuration of a circuit design simulator. The circuit design simulator is configured with initial configuration parameter values. The configured circuit design simulator is used to simulate a circuit design, with results of the simulation being stored. When runtime configuration parameter values are updated during the simulation, the circuit design simulator is reconfigured with the runtime configuration parameter values. The circuit design simulation is continued with the runtime configuration parameter values, and results of the continuing simulation are stored.

Abstract: One example embodiment of an approach to circuit design analysis comprises partitioning a circuit design into first, second and boundary parts, the boundary part including circuit portions from each of the first part and second part at a boundary between the first part and second part. The first, second and boundary parts are independently simulated to generate a respective first, second and third set of result data that are combined to create a result for the design.

Abstract: One example embodiment of property data storage includes using row and column names to identify properties to a particular circuit design component. Each of a plurality of columns in a relational database table is named with a property name indicative of a respective one of a plurality of circuit design properties. Another column in the relational database table is named with a property name indicating the column is unassigned to a circuit design property. Rows in the relational database table are named with respective names of the plurality of design components. When a circuit design component has a property indicated by one of the property names of the columns, a data value indicative of the circuit design component having the property is stored in the table entry at the column having the one of the property names and at the row having the name of the circuit design component.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment of an approach to circuit design processing involves using an interface for retrieving and processing circuit design data for use by a plurality of simulation tools. The interface includes an application program callable function configured to return functional classification data in response to an application programming interface (API) call from a simulation tool. The API call specifies a design block identifier that is used by the application program callable function to search a data source for functional classification data associated with the design block identifier. If functional classification data associated with the design block identifier is not found in the data source, a plurality of circuit elements associated with the design block identifier is retrieved from a netlist.

Abstract: One example embodiment of an interface arrangement for retrieving circuit design data comprises a first application program callable function configured to, in response to an application programming interface (API) call to the first function that specifies a block, read design data related to the block in a first format and store the design data in a second format different from the first. The interface arrangement further comprises a second application program callable function configured to, in response to an API call to the second function requesting block characteristics from the design data stored in the second format, access the stored design data in the second format and return information regarding characteristics of the specified block.