Abstract: An information processing module in the form of a blade server is provided for a modular computer system, for example a high density computer system. To enhance reliability, multiple redundant information connections are provided from the information. However to reduce the cost of providing such multiple redundant information connections, a common information protocol interface is shared between information connections. A common physical layer interface can also be shared between information connections. For example, switching logic can be provided between the common physical layer interface and the information connections. Alternatively, a common information protocol interface can be connected via switching logic to multiple physical layer interfaces (e.g., one per information connection).

Abstract: An information processing module, for example a server blade, has information connections and storage connections. A carrier, e.g., a rack mountable shelf, is configured to receive a number of information processing modules. A switch module is operable to connect a received information processing module to an external information network. The switch includes an external storage connection operable under an external storage channel format, e.g., Fiber Channel. A protocol converter converts between information packets comprising packet format storage data (e.g., iSCSI format) received from an information processing module and signals in the external storage channel format. Redundant connections are included to enhance reliability.

Abstract: A modular computer system (e.g., a server blade system) includes a carrier (e.g., a rack mountable shelf) carrying a plurality of removably mountable information processing modules (e.g., server blades). Each information processing module can include a processor operable to provide information processing functions and a service controller operable to provide monitoring and system management functions. The carrier and the information processing modules can be interconnected by separate information and service management paths so that system management signals can be communicated independently of information signals. A combined switch and service processor module can be provided in the carrier. The switch and the service processor can be interconnected via a communications link for controlled information passage between a management network and the information processing modules via an information path.

Abstract: A server system comprises a server blade carrier. The server blade carrier carries a plurality of removably mountable server blades. Each blade includes a blade service controller operable to perform monitoring and management functions in the server blade. The carrier comprises at least one carrier service processor. The carrier service processor is operably connected to the blade service controllers of blade servers mounted in the carrier to provide higher level management functions and is configured to communicate management functions to and from the blades.

Abstract: Network identities for components (e.g., server blades) of a multi-domain computer system (e.g., a server blade system) are stored in a connection framework (e.g., a carrier for the server blades) and copies thereof are stored in two or more support units (e.g., service processors for the carrier). These multiple copies can then be used to ensure the integrity of network identities that are allocated to the system units by the support units.

Abstract: A rack mountable shelf supports a plurality of field replaceable units (FRUs) in the form of server cartridges, or blades, that each include a processor and a memory within an enclosure. The rack mountable shelf is configured to provide communal services for said server cartridges, including at least one of supplying DC operating power to the server cartridges, distributing information signals between the server cartridges and processing system management signals for the server cartridges. The communal services can also be provided by FRUs, for example with redundant power supply units and redundant combined switch/service processor units. A midplane within the shelf enables interconnection of the FRUs.

Abstract: A computer system is connectable to a network. The computer system includes a plurality of processing units, each of the processing units being provided with a respective network identity for communication with the network. At least one service processor is operable to allocate network identities to the processing units. A switch is provided for interconnecting the processing units to the network. The switch is operable to maintain a record of the network identities allocated to the processing units by the service processor and filters network access by each processing unit such that network access is blocked where a processing unit identity does not correspond to that held by the switch. By maintaining a record of the network identities allocated to the processing units by the service processor in the switch and filtering network access, access by a processing unit that has been changed or where its network identity has otherwise changed, can be prevented, maintaining the integrity of the network.

Abstract: An information processing module includes a processor subsystem including a processor and memory. The information processing module is configured as a field replaceable unit blade server removably receivable in a carrier. Redundant external connections are provided for interconnection with the carrier. The external connections for carry information signals, management signals and power. The information processing module can be configured as a field replaceable blade server. The provision of a limited set of redundant connections provides for highly reliable interconnection between the information processing module and the carrier.

Abstract: A server blade is provided which comprises a processor. The server blade additionally comprises an enclosure which encloses the processor. The server blade is configured as a field replaceable unit removably receivable in a carrier of a modular computer system, and is configured as an oversized unit to span more than one standard information processing module receiving location in the carrier.

Abstract: An information processing module forms a blade for a high density computer system. A processor is operable to perform information processing and an information signal interface is connected between the processor(s) and a module information signal connection. A service controller is operable to perform system management functions and is connected to a module management connection. Redundant sets of information and management signal connections can be provided. The information signal interface and the service controller provide a buffer between the processor of the information processing module and the remainder of the modular computer system enabling flexibility in the choice of processor and internal structure for the information processing module.

Abstract: A service processor is provided for a computer system that includes a host processor and the service processor. The service processor includes a management interface including a first port forming an external user interface and a second port forming an internal console interface. The service processor is operable to provide system management functions within the computer system. It is also operable to respond to external mode switching commands received via the user interface to operate one of two modes. The first mode is a management mode in which commands received via the user interface are processed by the service processor. The second mode is a console mode in which commands received via the user interface are passed by the service processor to the console interface for processing by the host processor. The service processor can be implemented by a dual-ported microcontroller.

Abstract: A portable storage device, for example a secure smart card, contains network identification information and configuration information for a processing unit that is connectable to a data communications network, which processing unit includes a device reader for reading the portable storage device. The portable storage device includes storage and an access controller. The storage holds a network identity and configuration information for the processing unit and at least one encryption key. The access controller is operable to control access to the storage by implementing key-key encryption.

Abstract: A processing unit is connectable to a communications network. The processing unit has a data carrier reader operable to read a network identity from a portable data carrier. The processing unit is operable on being powered up to check for the presence of a said data carrier, and when a data carrier is present to use the network identity from the data carrier for communicating via the network. The data carrier can be in the form of a card having readable storage, for example a portable storage device having a readable semiconductor memory of a type know, for example, as a smart card, or memory card. The processing unit may be arranged to use only the network address read from the data carrier, and, in the absence of such a data carrier to prevent access to the network. Access to the network can be achieved by aborting the power up of the processing unit. The processing unit may therefore access the network only when the network address is present in the carrier reader when the processing unit is powered up.

Abstract: A processing unit for example a computer server, that is connectable to a data communications network, has a device reader for reading a supplied network identity from a portable storage device such as a smart card or the like. The processing unit then uses the supplied network identity from the portable storage device for communicating via the data communications network. The processing unit monitors the continued presence of the portable storage device. In the event that the processing unit detects that the portable storage device has been removed from the device reader, it signals a fault state. The processing unit can be arranged to power itself down where a portable storage device having same network identity is not returned in the device reader within a predetermined time. As a result, the processing unit from which the portable storage device was removed can enable action to be taken to avoid a network failure that could result from two processing units on the network have the same network identity (e.

Abstract: A processing unit is connectable to a data communications network. The processing unit includes a device reader for a portable storage device. The portable storage device (e.g., a secure smart card) includes storage operable to supply a network identity for the processing unit and an access controller. The access controller is operable to prevent unauthorised writing to the storage. Before reading the network identity from the portable storage device, the processing device attempts a write to the storage of the portable storage device, and, only on determining that the write has failed, reads the supplied network identity. The processing unit is thereby able to check that the portable storage device is a valid secure data storage device and not a counterfeit portable storage device. If it is a genuine secure portable storage device, the write access will not be permitted, whereas if it is a non-secure portable storage device, there is a risk that it is a counterfeit.

Abstract: A portable storage device, for example a secure smart card, contains network identification information for a processing unit that is connectable to a data communications network, which processing unit includes a device reader for reading the portable storage device. The portable storage device includes storage and an access controller. The storage holds a network identity for the processing unit and at least one encryption key. The access controller is operable to control access to the storage by implementing key-key encryption. An embodiment of the invention thus provides a medium not only for storing a network identity for processing unit, but also for other secure information such as an encryption key associated therewith.

Abstract: A bait station comprises a base having first and second side walls connected together along a corner and extending preferably at about a 90.degree. angle to one another, and a cover secured to the side walls to form a triangular unit. A pair of mutually-facing, C-shaped projections extend into the interior chamber of the bait station from the corner between the side walls at an angle of 45.degree. to each side wall. (In one embodiment, top projections extend downwardly from the cover adjacent the base projections.) A bait material is positioned in the station between the C-shaped base projections. The bait station is advantageously positioned on a surface adjacent a wall, and insects and the like crawling along the wall are directed into the station and to the bait. The design of the bait station makes it useful with either of the side walls placed as the bottom of the unit.

Abstract: A sealing glass and a sealing glass paste for sealing the face plate and funnel portion of a color television tube wherein PbO-containing sealing glass frit contains from an effective amount of a powder, such as Pb.sub.3 O.sub.4 powder, which powder prevents the reduction of PbO to Pb metal during the sealing process, which reduction would otherwise result in a dielectric breakdown in the seal. A sealing glass paste consisting essentially of a PbO--B.sub.2 O.sub.3 --ZnO sealing glass frit and containing an effective amount of said powder, based upon the weight of the frit, together with hydroxypropyl cellulose binder for the frit and a solvent for the binder. A method for sealing the face plate of a color television tube to its funnel portion with a PbO-containing solder glass wherein the reduction of PbO to metallic lead during the sealing step is obviated by the addition of a sufficient amount of Pb.sub.3 O.sub.4 or BaO.sub.2 powder in the solder glass and paste made therewith, which Pb.sub.3 O.sub.

Abstract: A sealing glass and a sealing glass paste for sealing the face plate and funnel portion of a color television tube wherein PbO-containing sealing glass frit contains from an effective amount of a powder, such as Pb.sub.3 O.sub.4 powder, which powder prevents the reduction of PbO to Pb metal during the sealing process, which reduction would otherwise result in a dielectric breakdown in the seal. A sealing glass paste consisting essentially of a PbO-B.sub.2 O.sub.3 -ZnO sealing glass frit and containing an effective amount of said powder, based upon the weight of the frit, together with hydroxypropyl cellulose binder for the frit and a solvent for the binder. A method for sealing the face plate of a color television tube to its funnel portion with a PbO-containing solder glass wherein the reduction of PbO to metallic lead during the sealing step is obviated by the addition of a sufficient amount of Pb.sub.3 O.sub.4 or BaO.sub.2 powder in the solder glass and paste made therewith, which Pb.sub.3 O.sub.4 or BaO.

Abstract: A sealing glass and a sealing glass paste for sealing the face plate and funnel portion of a color television tube wherein PbO-containing sealing glass frit contains from an effective amount of a powder, such as Pb.sub.3 O.sub.4 powder, which powder prevents the reduction of PbO to Pb metal during the sealing process, which reduction would otherwise result in a dielectric breakdown in the seal. A sealing glass paste consisting essentially of a PbO-B.sub.2 O.sub.3 -ZnO sealing glass frit and containing an effective amount of said powder, based upon the weight of the frit, together with hydroxypropyl cellulose binder for the frit and a solvent for the binder. A method for sealing the face plate of a color television tube to its funnel portion with a PbO-containing solder glass wherein the reduction of PbO to metallic lead during the sealing step is obviated by the addition of a sufficient amount of Pb.sub.3 O.sub.4 or BaO.sub.2 powder in the solder glass and paste made therewith, which Pb.sub.3 O.sub.4 or BaO.