Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a solution for passively monitoring a computer system. In an embodiment, a read-only target is created based on the configuration of the virtual server disk used by the virtual server to access the storage associated therewith. This read-only target can be used to expose the virtual server disk for access by a monitoring crawler. Using the read-only target, a monitoring crawler can acquire a set of features regarding the virtual server from the virtual server disk. One or more of this set of features can be analyzed to perform passive monitoring of the virtual server.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a solution for passively monitoring a computer system. In an embodiment, a read-only target is created based on the configuration of the virtual server disk used by the virtual server to access the storage associated therewith. This read-only target can be used to expose the virtual server disk for access by a monitoring crawler. Using the read-only target, a monitoring crawler can acquire a set of features regarding the virtual server from the virtual server disk. One or more of this set of features can be analyzed to perform passive monitoring of the virtual server.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer usable program product for identifying a defective adapter are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A configuration process of the adapter is initiated, the adapter being coupled with a slot in a data processing system. An indication of the configuration process is activated. A determination is made whether the configuration has completed successfully. The indication is allowed to remain activated responsive to the configuration not completing successfully. The activated indication identifies the defective adapter.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium for probing hypervisor tasks in an asynchronous environment. According to an embodiment of the invention, the partition firmware sends a request for data to the hypervisor. When the hypervisor receives the request for data, the hypervisor returns a taskID that identifies the task allocated to handle the request. Partition firmware records the taskID and a timestamp, which indicates the time in which the hypervisor received the request. A timer is set to measure the amount of time elapsed since the task ID was received by a requesting partition firmware. If the hypervisor has not provided the partition firmware with the requested data after a predetermined time period measured by the timer has elapsed, the partition firmware inquires about the status of the task associated with the taskID. If the task is still running, the partition firmware returns control of the partition to the operating system.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer usable program product for identifying a defective adapter are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A configuration process of the adapter is initiated, the adapter being coupled with a slot in a data processing system. An indication of the configuration process is activated. A determination is made whether the configuration has completed successfully. The indication is allowed to remain activated responsive to the configuration not completing successfully. The activated indication identifies the defective adapter.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium for probing hypervisor tasks in an asynchronous environment. According to an embodiment of the invention, the partition firmware sends a request for data to the hypervisor. When the hypervisor receives the request for data, the hypervisor returns a taskID that identifies the task allocated to handle the request. Partition firmware records the taskID and a timestamp, which indicates the time in which the hypervisor received the request. A timer is set to measure the amount of time elapsed since the task ID was received by a requesting partition firmware. If the hypervisor has not provided the partition firmware with the requested data after a predetermined time period measured by the timer has elapsed, the partition firmware inquires about the status of the task associated with the taskID. If the task is still running, the partition firmware returns control of the partition to the operating system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer instructions for handling exception vectors by firmware. An exception vector is identified to form an identified exception vector when control is passed from an operating system to the firmware. The identified exception vector is saved to form a saved exception vector. The identified exception vector is then replaced with a substitute vector; and the saved exception vector is restored when control is returned to the operating system to form a restored exception vector. At that point, the restored exception vector is again used to perform error and debugging processes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for providing device information to an operating system. A first instance of an open firmware is loaded. Device information is generated for devices in the data processing system using the first instance of the open firmware. An operating system is loaded for the data processing system using the open firmware. A second instance of the open firmware is loaded. The second instance of the open firmware is enabled to provide device information in response to a request from the operating system during runtime operation of the operating system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for providing device information to an operating system. A first instance of an open firmware is loaded. Device information is generated for devices in the data processing system using the first instance of the open firmware. An operating system is loaded for the data processing system using the open firmware. A second instance of the open firmware is loaded. The second instance of the open firmware is enabled to provide device information in response to a request from the operating system during runtime operation of the operating system.

Abstract: A system and method of implementing a virtual data modification breakpoint register (V-DMBR) are provided. First, a compiler is modified to insert instructions to have a value of a monitored data copied into another memory address. The compiler is further modified to insert into the program commands to compare the two values upon each function call entry and exit and to go to a software handler if a difference ensues. Then, when a piece of data is to be monitored for corruptions or modifications while a program is executing, the address of the data is entered into the program and the program is re-compiled. Alternatively, a debugger may be used to activate the invention. In that case, the data to be monitored is passed to an executing program using the debugger. But as before, the executing program must have been compiled using the modified compiler.