Abstract: A computer system is configured to manage a value of a variable via firmware. Managing the value of the variable includes detecting a system management interrupt (SMI), causing the computer system to enter a system management mode, in which a request associated with the SMI is handled by the firmware. In response to determining that the SMI is generated by a baseboard management controller (BMC) and that a cause thereof is associated with reading or writing a value of a variable, one or more parameters associated with the variable are obtained from the BMC. Based on the cause of the request and the one or more parameters, the value of the variable is read or overwritten with a new value. The value or the new value is then sent to the BMC, which in turn passes the value or new value to a second computer system over a network.

Abstract: A computer system is configured to manage a value of a variable via firmware. Managing the value of the variable includes detecting a system management interrupt (SMI), causing the computer system to enter a system management mode, in which a request associated with the SMI is handled by the firmware. In response to determining that the SMI is generated by a baseboard management controller (BMC) and that a cause thereof is associated with reading or writing a value of a variable, one or more parameters associated with the variable are obtained from the BMC. Based on the cause of the request and the one or more parameters, the value of the variable is read or overwritten with a new value. The value or the new value is then sent to the BMC, which in turn passes the value or new value to a second computer system over a network.

Abstract: A computer system includes a baseboard management controller (BMC) configured to manage values of a plurality of variables stored in a flash via firmware. Managing the values of the plurality of variables includes generating a capsule containing a request for reading a value of a variable among the plurality of variables or overwriting the value of the variable with a new value. The capsule is then sent to the firmware, causing the firmware to access the flash to read the value of the variable or overwrite the value of the variable with the new value, and cause the value or the new value to be transmitted to the BMC. In response to receiving the value or new value of the variable, the BMC passes the value or the new value of the variable to a second computer system over an out-of-band network.

Abstract: A computer system includes a baseboard management controller (BMC) configured to manage values of a plurality of variables stored in a flash via firmware. Managing the values of the plurality of variables includes generating a capsule containing a request for reading a value of a variable among the plurality of variables or overwriting the value of the variable with a new value. The capsule is then sent to the firmware, causing the firmware to access the flash to read the value of the variable or overwrite the value of the variable with the new value, and cause the value or the new value to be transmitted to the BMC. In response to receiving the value or new value of the variable, the BMC passes the value or the new value of the variable to a second computer system over an out-of-band network.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are provided for publishing, discovering, connecting with and activating services in a peer-to-peer environment. Services available in association with a first computing device are determined and encoded with instructions for accessing and understanding such services via their respective activation protocols. The encoded services are published via a publication protocol such that they are discoverable by at least a second computing device, irrespective of whether such services may be activated via the publication protocol. The second computing device discovers the available services via the publication protocol and accesses and understands the instructions associated with a desired service. Upon receipt of a request from the second computing device, via the activation protocol, to activate the requested service, the requested service is activated by the first computing device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are provided for publishing, discovering, connecting with and activating services in a peer-to-peer environment. Services available in association with a first computing device are determined and encoded with instructions for accessing and understanding such services via their respective activation protocols. The encoded services are published via a publication protocol such that they are discoverable by at least a second computing device, irrespective of whether such services may be activated via the publication protocol. The second computing device discovers the available services via the publication protocol and accesses and understands the instructions associated with a desired service. Upon receipt of a request from the second computing device, via the activation protocol, to activate the requested service, the requested service is activated by the first computing device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to restricting device access per session. Entries in a device list are configured to store session ID values in addition to values for other device properties. A session ID value for a device can be set to the session ID value of a (e.g., RDP) session that registered the device such that the subsequent transfer of device related information for the device can be restricted to processes in the session. When a request for device related information is received from a process, an access check is performed by at least comparing a session ID value for the process to a session ID value stored in a device entry for the device. When the access check is successful, for example, when session ID values match, access to the requested device related information can be permitted.