Abstract: A receptacle connector may include a receptacle for receiving a corresponding edge connector of a device, a plurality of electrically-conductive pins configured to electrically couple to associated pins of the corresponding edge connector when the receptacle connector is populated with the device, an optical transmitter at a first end of the receptacle, and an optical receiver at a second end of the receptacle opposite the first end and arranged relative to the optical transmitter such that in an absence of misshape of the receptacle connector, the optical receiver receives at least a significant portion of electromagnetic energy generated by the optical transmitter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented to use compute capabilities of a network interface controller (NIC) to broker a secure connection across a network between a target information handling system (e.g., such as a server) and one or more other entities (e.g., such as other information handling systems implementing a cloud service or private network, and/or that are providing other remote service/s across the network). This secure connection may be brokered by the NIC at a hardware level in a manner that is separate from a host programmable integrated circuit of the same target information handling system, and in a way that is agnostic and independent of any host operating system or other logic that is executing on the host programmable integrated circuit of the target information handling system.

Abstract: A network interface card includes a memory configured to store a credential associated with one of a manufacturer of the network interface card, a particular manufacturer of the server that includes the network interface card, or another manufacturer of an enclosure that holds the network interface card. A processor performs network discovery to identify devices in a local area network, performs port configuration, and establishes a secure network connection with a cloud service broker. Subsequent to the establishment of the secure network connection, the processor submits a provisioning request to the cloud service broker, receives a response to the provisioning request, and applies the security policies to the network interface card, wherein the security policies are for the devices of the local area network.

Abstract: A network interface card includes a memory configured to store a credential associated with one of a manufacturer of the network interface card, a particular manufacturer of the server that includes the network interface card, or another manufacturer of an enclosure that holds the network interface card. A processor performs network discovery to identify devices in a local area network, performs port configuration, and establishes a secure network connection with a cloud service broker. Subsequent to the establishment of the secure network connection, the processor submits a provisioning request to the cloud service broker, receives a response to the provisioning request, and applies the security policies to the network interface card, wherein the security policies are for the devices of the local area network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented to use compute capabilities of a network interface controller (NIC) to broker a secure connection across a network between a target information handling system (e.g., such as a server) and one or more other entities (e.g., such as other information handling systems implementing a cloud service or private network, and/or that are providing other remote service/s across the network). This secure connection may be brokered by the NIC at a hardware level in a manner that is separate from a host programmable integrated circuit of the same target information handling system, and in a way that is agnostic and independent of any host operating system or other logic that is executing on the host programmable integrated circuit of the target information handling system.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a memory to store BIOS, a processor, a BMC, and an add-in device. The BMC updates the BIOS in a first system state and prevents BIOS updates in a second system state. The add-in device is configured to update firmware in a first device state and to prevent firmware updates in a second device state. The add-in device enters the first device state when the add-in device receives a power-on reset. The add-in device receives a lockdown command, sets the add-in device to the second device state in response to the lockdown command, and prevents the add-in device from reentering the first device state until the add-in device receives a second power-on reset subsequent to the first power-on reset.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a memory to store BIOS, a processor, a BMC, and an add-in device. The BMC updates the BIOS in a first system state and prevents BIOS updates in a second system state. The add-in device is configured to update firmware in a first device state and to prevent firmware updates in a second device state. The add-in device enters the first device state when the add-in device receives a power-on reset. The add-in device receives a lockdown command, sets the add-in device to the second device state in response to the lockdown command, and prevents the add-in device from reentering the first device state until the add-in device receives a second power-on reset subsequent to the first power-on reset.

Abstract: A network adapter, includes a first transceiver module with a transceiver that operates according to a first network protocol and a memory element that includes information that identifies the first network protocol, a second transceiver module with a transceiver that operates according to a second network protocol and a memory element that includes information that identifies the second network protocol, and a controller that reads the information from the first memory element, directs an information handling system to invoke a first network driver associated with the first network protocol based upon the information, reads the second information from the second memory element, and directs the information handling system to invoke a second network driver associated with the second network protocol based upon the second information.

Abstract: A sled mounted processing node apparatus includes a first processing node sled. A first printed circuit board (PCB) is coupled to the processing node sled. Electronic components, including at least one processor, are coupled to the PCB. The apparatus includes a second processing node sled having a second PCB connected to the second processing node sled and a second set of electronic components, including at least one second processor, coupled to the second PCB. The at least one processor and second processor collectively enables increased processing density within a single server chassis. Each processing node sled is configured to be slideably inserted and removed from a server chassis that accommodates concurrent insertion of multiple processing node sleds in respective sled bays of the server chassis.

Abstract: A sled mounted processing node apparatus includes a first processing node sled. A first printed circuit board (PCB) is coupled to the processing node sled. Electronic components, including at least one processor, are coupled to the PCB. The apparatus includes a second processing node sled having a second PCB connected to the second processing node sled and a second set of electronic components, including at least one second processor, coupled to the second PCB. The at least one processor and second processor collectively enables increased processing density within a single server chassis. Each processing node sled is configured to be slideably inserted and removed from a server chassis that accommodates concurrent insertion of multiple processing node sleds in respective sled bays of the server chassis.

Abstract: A network adapter, includes a first transceiver module with a transceiver that operates according to a first network protocol and a memory element that includes information that identifies the first network protocol, a second transceiver module with a transceiver that operates according to a second network protocol and a memory element that includes information that identifies the second network protocol, and a controller that reads the information from the first memory element, directs an information handling system to invoke a first network driver associated with the first network protocol based upon the information, reads the second information from the second memory element, and directs the information handling system to invoke a second network driver associated with the second network protocol based upon the second information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing smart power management to one or more external interfaces of an information handling system that is capable of acting as a host for charging and/or otherwise powering one or more external devices via external interface/s that have both data exchange and power transfer capability, such as USB or Firewire interfaces. A host-based power source may be provided that is capable of managing power when a host information handling system is in inactive, and a user-based methodology may be implemented to selectively provide power to one or more external interfaces of a host information handling system based on user need or desire for access to external interface power, even when the host information handling system is inactive.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing smart power management to one or more external interfaces of an information handling system that is capable of acting as a host for charging and/or otherwise powering one or more external devices via external interface/s that have both data exchange and power transfer capability, such as USB or Firewire interfaces. A host-based power source may be provided that is capable of managing power when a host information handling system is in inactive, and a user-based methodology may be implemented to selectively provide power to one or more external interfaces of a host information handling system based on user need or desire for access to external interface power, even when the host information handling system is inactive.