Abstract: Embodiments include a power-efficient failover system and method. In one embodiment, a primary server operating in a normal operating state is configured to dynamically backup device states or transaction logs. A redundant server coupled to the primary server in a failover cluster is operated at a reduced power state. The redundant server dynamically receives the backup from the primary server and is elevated to a normal operating state in response to a failure of the primary server. By enforcing a reduced power state of the redundant server, a failover system provides a desired combination of high power efficiency with low latency.

Abstract: Content presentation in remote sessions by reducing processing and communication bandwidth requirements for the remote sessions in an information technology environment. Content presentation includes maintaining a session window on an electronic display screen of a remote administration console for remotely monitoring a corresponding server system via a communication link, and monitoring a display status of the session window on the display screen. Based on the display status of the session window, a quantity of refresh information for the session window is selectively transmitted from a management server to the remote administration console over the communication link for display in the session window. The refresh information includes status information for the remotely monitored server system.

Abstract: A computer program product and method of managing the workload in a computer system having one or more semi-redundant hardware components are provided. The method comprises detecting loss or degradation of the level of performance of one or more of the semi-redundant hardware components, identifying hardware components that are affected by the loss or degradation of the one or more semi-redundant components, migrating a critical job from an affected hardware component to an unaffected hardware component, and performing less-critical jobs on an affected hardware component. Loss or degradation of the semi-redundant component reduces the capacity of affected hardware components in the computer system without entirely disabling the computer system. Jobs identified as being critical are run on hardware components having the most capacity and reliability, while allowing less-critical jobs to make use of the remaining capacity of affected hardware components.

Abstract: Sessions states within virtual machine (VM) environments are maintained. Each VM environment hosts a guest operating system (OS) and one or more application programs running. The guest OS and the application computer programs of each VM environment constitute a session. A connection broker maintains a state machine as to states of the sessions and permits transitions among the states in response to messages, commands, and internal decisions. Different types of agents may send the messages, and the commands. The states of the sessions may include a pending state and a number of other states. The pending state is an interim state that indicates a session is being transitioned from one of the other states to another of the other states. These other states may include an offline state, an online-down state, an online-up state, a suspended state, an active state, an idle state, a disconnected state, and a failed state.

Abstract: Sessions states within virtual machine (VM) environments are maintained. Each VM environment hosts a guest operating system (OS) and one or more application programs running. The guest OS and the application computer programs of each VM environment constitute a session. A connection broker maintains a state machine as to states of the sessions and permits transitions among the states in response to messages, commands, and internal decisions. Different types of agents may send the messages, and the commands. The states of the sessions may include a pending state and a number of other states. The pending state is an interim state that indicates a session is being transitioned from one of the other states to another of the other states. These other states may include an offline state, an online-down state, an online-up state, a suspended state, an active state, an idle state, a disconnected state, and a failed state.

Abstract: Sessions states within virtual machine (VM) environments are maintained. Each VM environment hosts a guest operating system (OS) and one or more application programs running. The guest OS and the application computer programs of each VM environment constitute a session. A connection broker maintains a state machine as to states of the sessions and permits transitions among the states in response to messages, commands, and internal decisions. Different types of agents may send the messages, and the commands. The states of the sessions may include a pending state and a number of other states. The pending state is an interim state that indicates a session is being transitioned from one of the other states to another of the other states. These other states may include an offline state, an online-down state, an online-up state, a suspended state, an active state, an idle state, a disconnected state, and a failed state.

Abstract: A method and system for load balancing switch modules in a server system and a computer system utilizing the same is disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises assigning each of a plurality of servers to a switch module of a plurality of switch modules, such that a number of servers assigned to each of the plurality of switch modules is substantially equal. In a second aspect, a computer system comprises a plurality of servers coupled to a plurality of switch modules, a management module, and a load balancing mechanism coupled to the management module, wherein the load balancing mechanism assigns each of the plurality of servers to a switch module of the plurality of switch modules, such that a number of servers assigned to each of the plurality of switch modules is substantially equal.

Abstract: A system and method for remote power control across multiple nodes of a partitioned data processing system. The system includes one or more nodes, each node including a chassis housing a traditional SMP server. The system may be partitioned into two or more SPAR's. Partition management software provides out of band power control to an entire partition, regardless of the number of nodes in the partition. The partition management code installed on each node of the partition is enabled to broadcast a power-on request to each of the nodes in the partition. Thus, when any service processor receives a power-on request, that service processor will resend the power on request to the broadcast group, thereby causing all of the nodes in the SPAR to power up. The broadcast packets may be routed to the other nodes via an out-of-band or private management LAN.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a secure network boot of a secondary server (server blade). The server blade sends a request, via an Ethernet switch, for a boot program to multiple Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) servers. One of the DHCP servers responds with an address of at least one Pre-boot Execution Environment (PXE) server that can upload a boot program to the server blade. Only if the responding DHCP server is on a list of known trusted DHCP servers will the Ethernet switch allow the server blade to receive the response from the responding DHCP server, thus allowing the download of a boot program from a PXE server.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a secure network boot of a secondary server (server blade). The server blade sends a request, via an Ethernet switch, for a boot program to multiple Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) servers. One of the DHCP servers responds with an address of at least one Pre-boot Execution Environment (PXE) server that can upload a boot program to the server blade. Only if the responding DHCP server is on a list of known trusted DHCP servers will the Ethernet switch allow the server blade to receive the response from the responding DHCP server, thus allowing the download of a boot program from a PXE server.

Abstract: A method and system for load balancing switch modules in a server system and a computer system utilizing the same is disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises assigning each of a plurality of servers to a switch module of a plurality of switch modules, such that a number of servers assigned to each of the plurality of switch modules is substantially equal. In a second aspect, a computer system comprises a plurality of servers coupled to a plurality of switch modules, a management module, and a load balancing mechanism coupled to the management module, wherein the load balancing mechanism assigns each of the plurality of servers to a switch module of the plurality of switch modules, such that a number of servers assigned to each of the plurality of switch modules is substantially equal.

Abstract: A system and method for remote power control across multiple nodes of a partitioned data processing system. The system includes one or more nodes, each node including a chassis housing a traditional SMP server. The system may be partitioned into two or more SPAR's. Partition management software provides out of band power control to an entire partition, regardless of the number of nodes in the partition. The partition management code installed on each node of the partition is enabled to broadcast a power-on request to each of the nodes in the partition. Thus, when any service processor receives a power-on request, that service processor will resend the power on request to the broadcast group, thereby causing all of the nodes in the SPAR to power up. The broadcast packets may be routed to the other nodes via an out-of-band or private management LAN.

Abstract: In a method for automatically isolating worm software and hacker attacks in a network, a computer system detects, as an attack, a probe by a worm software or a hacker from a compromised computer system in the network. The computer system then isolates the compromised computer system from the remainder of the network. Thus, the probing of the computer system itself is considered an attack. In response to an attack, the compromised computer system is isolated from the remainder of the network. In addition, no dedicated hardware or special hardware is required to implement the method. In this manner, damage to the network by worm software or compromised by a hacker is slowed or prevented by automatically isolating the compromised computer system from the network.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method, system and computer readable medium (the present invention) for reporting information related to a monitor attached to a computer which includes a system memory. The present invention includes electronically reading the information from the monitor and storing the monitor information in the system memory. The present invention further includes retrieving the monitor information from the system memory and providing the monitor information to a display via a browser. The monitor information comprises electronically readable information including its identity. One aspect of the present invention further includes comparing the monitor information with a corresponding last known information, wherein a mismatch indicates that the monitor has been changed. Another aspect of the present invention further includes copying the monitor information to a radio frequency (RF) enabled memory, wherein the monitor information can be logged utilizing an RF reader device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method, system and computer readable medium (the present invention) for tracking memory modules in a computer system. The present invention includes identifying each of the memory modules based upon identification information added to each of the memory modules by their manufacturer to provide a unique serial number by each of the memory modules; and providing the unique serial number to a display via a browser. The identification information comprises electronically readable information which is preferably stored in an electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and from which the unique serial numbers are generated for identifying the memory modules. One aspect of the present invention further includes comparing the unique serial numbers with corresponding last known serial numbers, wherein a mismatch in the serial numbers indicates that the corresponding memory modules have been replaced.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and system for retrieving and reporting serial numbers of hard disk drives in a computer system. The method and system include electronically obtaining the serial number of each of the hard disk drives. The method and system also include providing the serial number of each of the hard disk drives to a display via a browser. The method and system additionally include copying the serial number of each of the hard disk drives to a radio frequency (RF) enabled memory, wherein the serial numbers can be logged utilizing an RF reader. The RF reader may be included in an RF gate and/or a hand held device. Computer systems with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology configured in accordance with the present invention enable automated electronic tracking of computer assets such as the hard disk drives as they pass through the RF gate in or out of a portal.

Abstract: A data processing system and method are described for permitting a server computer system to generate a detailed repair request utilized to a remote client computer system. The server and client computer systems are coupled together utilizing a local area network. In response to an error in operation of the client caused by a malfunctioning part included within the client, the client identifies the malfunctioning part. The client automatically transmits a notification of the error and an identification of the part to the server without requiring a user's presence at the client. The server generates a detailed repair request which includes the identification of the part. The repair request is detailed including an identity of the malfunctioning part to be repaired and is generated remotely by the server without a user's presence at the client being required.