Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide virtual server blades are described. In one embodiment, a first virtual machine (VM) in a processing system may emulate a first server blade, and a second VM in the processing system may emulate a second server blade. The emulated server blades may be referred to as virtual server blades. A virtual machine monitor (VMM) in the processing system may provide a communication channel to at least one of the virtual server blades. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A first virtual machine (VM) in a processing system may emulate a first server blade, and a second VM in the processing system may emulate a second server blade. The emulated server blades may be referred to as virtual server blades. A virtual machine monitor (VMM) in the processing system may provide a communication channel to at least one of the virtual server blades. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is meant to prevent/allow microcode updates after an operating system is booted on a platform. A processor includes a lock directive that, when set, prevents microcode updates to occur after the operating system has been booted. In an embodiment, the lock directive is read during boot of the processor. A lock indicator is then written to an accessible location so that an attempt to patch, or update, microcode after the operating system has booted will be prohibited if the lock indicator indicates that microcode patch updates are not allowed. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A system abstraction layer enables selection from among at least two different processor abstraction layer components. By allowing the selection from a plurality of compressed components, better system adaptability may be achieved. For example, updates may be provided so that it is not necessary to update the entire basic input/output system each time a component of the processor abstraction layer needs to be updated. In addition, a variety of different platforms may be supported by one basic input/output system having a plurality of selectable processor abstraction layer component images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to implement a virtual management controller to coordinate processing blade management in a blade server environment. A management mode of operation of a processing blade of a blade server is activated. During the management mode of operation, a chassis management module is interacted with to manage operation of the processing blade. Thereafter, the management mode of operation of the processing blade is deactivated.

Abstract: A method for managing information from an operating system based environment includes determining whether the information is to be communicated to a chassis management module. The information is transmitted to a service processor upon determining that the information is to be communicated with the chassis management module.

Abstract: A method and system to switch between a Service virtual machine (VM) and a Guest VM in a virtual machine monitor (VMM) of a computer system. The VMM is loaded on the computer system to support a Service VM and a Guest VM. The Service OS is booted in the Service VM during the pre-boot phase. The Guest OS is booted in the Guest VM of the computer system. During OS runtime of the Guest OS, a VM switch is performed from the Guest VM to the Service VM without rebooting the computer system. The Service OS includes diagnostic tools to analyze the Guest OS. In one embodiment, the VM switch is performed by firmware of the computer system. In another embodiment, the VMM operates in accordance with an Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) framework standard.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to off-load cryptographic processes are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a request to perform a cryptographic process at a first component of a processor system, transmitting the request over a data bus to a second component of a processor system, receiving the request at the second component, and performing the cryptographic process on the second component. For example, the first component may be a processor and the second component may be a management agent. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A processor includes a lock indicator that, when set, prevents microcode updates to occur after the operating system has been booted. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method to quickly and efficiently transfer data over a network to a processing system during a pre-boot runtime of the processing system. During a pre-boot runtime of the processing system, a plurality of data packets is received via a network. Each of the plurality of data packets contains one of a corresponding plurality of data segments. The plurality of data packets are parsed using a network protocol stack to extract the plurality of data segments during the pre-boot runtime. A portion of the network protocol stack is executed in a hardware entity of the processing system. The plurality of data segments is transferred into system memory of the processing system during the pre-boot runtime.

Abstract: A method and system to emulate a trusted platform module to execute trusted operations. A virtual machine monitor is executed to support a virtual machine session. An operating system is loaded into the virtual machine session. The trusted platform module is emulated to hold a key associated with the virtual session and to execute trusted operations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to retrieving and executing a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) image that is divided into at least two parts and, more particularly, to retrieving and executing a BIOS image in a blade server environment utilizing a service processor and a blade management agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to retrieving and executing a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) image that is divided into at least two parts and, more particularly, to retrieving and executing a BIOS image in a blade server environment utilizing a service processor and a blade management agent.

Abstract: A system abstraction layer enables selection from among at least two different processor abstraction layer components. By allowing the selection from a plurality of compressed components, better system adaptability may be achieved. For example, updates may be provided so that it is not necessary to update the entire basic input/output system each time a component of the processor abstraction layer needs to be updated. In addition, a variety of different platforms may be supported by one basic input/output system having a plurality of selectable processor abstraction layer component images.