Abstract: A computing system includes a processor that has a processor cache built-in, and a non-volatile memory, such as a non-volatile dual-inline memory module (NVDIMM), which is being used as system memory within the computing system. The processor processes a transaction. If the computing system is connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) (and the UPS is connected to a mains power source that is currently providing power), the transaction is committed without first flushing the processor cache to the non-volatile memory. If the computing system is not connected to a UPS (and is connected to a mains power source that is currently providing power), the transaction is not committed until the processor cache has been flushed to the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A computing system includes a processor that has a processor cache built-in, and a non-volatile memory, such as a non-volatile dual-inline memory module (NVDIMM), which is being used as system memory within the computing system. The processor processes a transaction. If the computing system is connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) (and the UPS is connected to a mains power source that is currently providing power), the transaction is committed without first flushing the processor cache to the non-volatile memory. If the computing system is not connected to a UPS (and is connected to a mains power source that is currently providing power), the transaction is not committed until the processor cache has been flushed to the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A memory module stores a computing device type-specific parameter for each of a number of different types of computing devices. When the memory module is installed within a computing device, the computing device reads the computing device type-specific parameter for the particular type of computing device, and configures itself to use the memory module according to this parameter. As different types of memory modules become available, they are tested against different types of computing devices to determine the computing device type-specific parameter with which they should be programmed for each type of computing device.

Abstract: A memory module stores a computing device type-specific parameter for each of a number of different types of computing devices. When the memory module is installed within a computing device, the computing device reads the computing device type-specific parameter for the particular type of computing device, and configures itself to use the memory module according to this parameter. As different types of memory modules become available, they are tested against different types of computing devices to determine the computing device type-specific parameter with which they should be programmed for each type of computing device.

Abstract: Collision avoidance among vehicles that each include a management module coupled to other management modules and a central database manager, includes: establishing, by management modules of a set of traveling vehicles having a location within a predefined area, a collision zone including a network of the management modules of the traveling vehicles; and sharing, within the collision zone, dynamic information describing the traveling vehicles; retrieving, from the central database manager, static information describing the traveling vehicles; detecting, by a management module of a first vehicle in the collision zone, a potential collision with a second vehicle in the collision zone in dependence upon the dynamic and static information; and controlling, by the management module of the first traveling vehicle, the first traveling vehicle to take evasive action in dependence upon the dynamic and static information describing the first and second traveling vehicle.

Abstract: Collision avoidance among vehicles that each include a management module coupled to other management modules and a central database manager, includes: establishing, by management modules of a set of traveling vehicles having a location within a predefined area, a collision zone including a network of the management modules of the traveling vehicles; and sharing, within the collision zone, dynamic information describing the traveling vehicles; retrieving, from the central database manager, static information describing the traveling vehicles; detecting, by a management module of a first vehicle in the collision zone, a potential collision with a second vehicle in the collision zone in dependence upon the dynamic and static information; and controlling, by the management module of the first traveling vehicle, the first traveling vehicle to take evasive action in dependence upon the dynamic and static information describing the first and second traveling vehicle.

Abstract: A method for indicating and detecting correct cable connections within a computer network environment. The method includes determining a topology layout for one or more cables that are connected to one or more system units within a computer network environment. The method includes receiving profile information for the one or more cables and the one or more system units present and determining whether the profile information for the one or more cables and the one or more system units meets requirements for the topology layout. In response to making the determination, the method includes indicating a correct connection between a first cable and a first system unit.

Abstract: A fan brake for a fan system. The fan system may include a fan assembly configured for seating into a cassette housing. The fan assembly may include a fan having a plurality of blades connected with a fan hub. The fan brake may be connected to the fan assembly, wherein the fan brake engages the fan hub when the fan housing is not fully seated within the cassette housing, and the fan brake disengages the fan hub when the fan assembly is fully seated into the cassette housing.

Abstract: A computer program product includes computer usable program code for: receiving, from an inter-vehicular charge recipient having a recipient vehicle, a request to arrange an inter-vehicular charge and a battery charge level for the battery of the recipient vehicle; receiving, from an inter-vehicular charge donor vehicle, a battery charge level for a battery of the donor vehicle; obtaining an anticipated route of the donor vehicle and an anticipated route of the recipient vehicle; for comparing the battery charge level of the battery of the recipient vehicle to the battery charge level of the battery of the donor vehicle to determine a suitability for inter-vehicular charging; comparing the anticipated route of the donor vehicle to the anticipated route of the recipient vehicle to determine a location to initiate charging; and generating and sending a proposal for an inter-vehicular charge transaction to the donor vehicle.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes receiving, from an inter-vehicular charge recipient having a recipient vehicle, a request to arrange an inter-vehicular charge and a battery charge level for the battery of the recipient vehicle. A battery charge level for a battery of the donor vehicle is received from an inter-vehicular charge donor vehicle, and an anticipated route of the donor vehicle and an anticipated route of the recipient vehicle is obtained. The battery charge level of the battery of the recipient vehicle is compared to the battery charge level of the battery of the donor vehicle to determine a suitability for inter-vehicular charging, and the anticipated route of the donor vehicle is compared to the anticipated route of the recipient vehicle to determine a location to initiate charging. The method then generates and sends a proposal for an inter-vehicular charge transaction to the donor vehicle.

Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing an enhanced availability personality card for a chassis computer system, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The personality card includes a first erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) and a second EPROM, each EPROM storing Vital Product Data (VPD) and a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor sensing temperature. A primary bidirectional bus and a redundant bidirectional bus are respectively connected between the first EPROM and the first temperature sensor and the second EPROM and the second temperature sensor, and a pair of chassis management modules. Each chassis management module includes a switch connected to both the primary bidirectional bus and the redundant bidirectional bus providing redundant paths, enabling continued function with failure of any critical personality card component.

Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing an enhanced availability personality card for a chassis computer system, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The personality card includes a first erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) and a second EPROM, each EPROM storing Vital Product Data (VPD) and a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor sensing temperature. A primary bidirectional bus and a redundant bidirectional bus are respectively connected between the first EPROM and the first temperature sensor and the second EPROM and the second temperature sensor, and a pair of chassis management modules. Each chassis management module includes a switch connected to both the primary bidirectional bus and the redundant bidirectional bus providing redundant paths, enabling continued function with failure of any critical personality card component.

Abstract: A fan brake for a fan system. The fan system may include a fan assembly configured for seating into a cassette housing. The fan assembly may include a fan having a plurality of blades connected with a fan hub. The fan brake may be connected to the fan assembly, wherein the fan brake engages the fan hub when the fan housing is not fully seated within the cassette housing, and the fan brake disengages the fan hub when the fan assembly is fully seated into the cassette housing.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a selectively-expandable speakerphone system allows one or more portable computers to automatically, wirelessly interface with a speakerphone console via an audio access point. A scheduling module initiates the conference call at a scheduled time, whereupon the wireless network interface of each portable computer is automatically switched to an SSID uniquely associated with the audio access point, for connecting to the speakerphone console. The audio signals generated by the laptop microphones are mixed with any audio signal generated by an optional microphone on the speakerphone console, and the mixed audio signals are transmitted over the telephone line. Incoming audio signals are passed to the speakerphone console and wirelessly transmitted to the portable computers for substantially simultaneous playback on the respective loudspeakers.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with more than one industry-standard type of AC power connector. The electronic device may be powered in any of a variety of locations by selectively exposing one of the power connectors selected according to an AC power outlet available at that location. A location-specific power cord may be used to connect the exposed power connector to the AC power outlet. The location-specific power cord may have, for example, a line socket at one end of a type that matches the exposed power connector, and a power plug at the other end of a type that matches the AC power outlet at the location. Predefined power settings appropriate for use with the AC power outlet and the exposed power connector may be automatically invoked.

Abstract: Administering power supplies in a data center including, upon connection of a first power supply through a power line to a circuit breaker in the data center, querying, by a power supply communications device of the first power supply through the power line, a circuit breaker communications device of the circuit breaker for a circuit breaker identification; querying, by the power supply communications device of the first power supply, for a maximum current threshold for the circuit breaker; sending the circuit breaker identification and the maximum current threshold for the circuit breaker to a management module; and determining, by the management module in dependence upon the circuit breaker identification and the maximum current threshold for the circuit breaker, whether to power on a computing device powered by the first power supply including determining whether the circuit breaker is shared by another power supply.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling a system generated noise level such that the same is adapted to an actual ambient noise level of the system environment. Internal noise generators will thus not run at a needlessly lowered rate than actually needed. For instance, by permitting a fan to run at a generally higher speed, the system will not needlessly undergo significant internal temperature increases. By the same token, CPU performance, to the extent that it represents a noise generator, will not be needlessly throttled.

Abstract: Managing power consumption in a data center including reporting, by a circuit breaker communications device of one of the circuit breakers to the management module, a current power load of the circuit breaker, the report transmitted from the circuit breaker communications device through a power supply communications device of a power supply currently providing power to a particular computing device and through an out-of-band communications link to the management module, upon receiving the report of the current power load, determining, by the management module, whether the current power load of the circuit breaker is greater than a predetermined threshold; and if the current power load of the circuit breaker is greater than the predetermined threshold, reducing, by the management module, power consumption through the circuit breaker of the particular computing device.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with more than one industry-standard type of AC power connector. The electronic device may be powered in any of a variety of locations by selectively exposing one of the power connectors selected according to an AC power outlet available at that location. A location-specific power cord may be used to connect the exposed power connector to the AC power outlet. The location-specific power cord may have, for example, a line socket at one end of a type that matches the exposed power connector, and a power plug at the other end of a type that matches the AC power outlet at the location. Predefined power settings appropriate for use with the AC power outlet and the exposed power connector may be automatically invoked.

Abstract: A computer motherboard detects the form factor type of the chassis in which it is installed to permit tailoring functionality accordingly.