Abstract: Technologies are provided herein for seamlessly updating firmware in a high availability enabled solution. A system for updating firmware in a high availability enabled solution includes a first active node that is functional on the system and which is connected to a firmware update client and a second passive node that is in an active-passive relationship with the first node. The first node receives a firmware update command and retrieves the updated firmware from the firmware update client. The first node then updates firmware of the second node using the updated firmware. Upon updating the firmware of the second node, the first node sets an indicator flag associated with the second node, which notifies the second node to become the active node upon being rebooted. The first node then reboots the second node, which then updates the firmware of the first node with the updated firmware.

Abstract: A computer system. In one embodiment, the computer system includes a remote management computer with a user input means and a display means, a plurality of target computers communicatively connected to the remote management computer over a communications link, and a computer-executable remote management application. The remote management application is configured to cause the remote management computer to perform functions that include receiving user authentication data for a user to remotely access particular target computers over the communications link, sending a request for remote management data to each of the particular target computers, receiving remote management data from each of the particular target computers in response to the request, and causing the display means to simultaneously display the graphical user console for each one of the particular target computers in a common graphical interface.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for remotely managing electric power usage of a plurality of target computers is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of target computers arranged in a group, each using electric power at a rate associated with a corresponding duty cycle and power rating. A remote management computer is communicatively connected to the group of target computers and operative to receive user input data including a total group power usage limit and a priority assignment, minimum duty cycle setting, and/or power zone setting for at least one of the target computers. A power controller is operative to remotely control the power usage of the target computers according to the corresponding user input data, to cause the total group power usage to be at or below the group power usage limit.

Abstract: An extensible management server (XMS) is disclosed that includes a management interface, a scripting engine, and a data store having management scripts and a management class library stored therein. The management interface provides functionality for receiving and responding to commands received from a management application. The management scripts include functionality for retrieving and setting management data on managed computers. The management scripts are configured to utilize classes contained in the management class library to perform the actual interaction with the managed server computers for retrieving or setting management data. The management scripts may also be configured to utilize a graphical display application programming interface for generating graphical display instructions for use by the management application in graphically displaying the management data.

Abstract: An extensible management server (XMS) is disclosed that includes a management interface, a scripting engine, and a data store having management scripts and a management class library stored therein. The management interface provides functionality for receiving and responding to commands received from a management application to execute management scripts, add management scripts, delete management scripts, edits management scripts, and provide a listing of management scripts. The management scripts include functionality for retrieving and setting management data on managed computers. The management scripts are configured to utilize classes contained in the management class library to perform the actual interaction with the managed server computers for retrieving or setting management data.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for managing Intelligent Platform Management Interface (“IPMI”) sessions between an application module and a target IPMI device. A session abstraction layer module receives an IPMI request from the application module over a first communication link. The session abstraction layer module establishes an IPMI session with the target IPMI device over a second communication link and forwards the IPMI request to the target IPMI device via the established IPMI session. The session abstraction layer module then receives a response to the IPMI request from the target IPMI device via the established IPMI session, and forwards the response to the application module over the first communication link.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for managing Intelligent Platform Management Interface (“IPMI”) sessions between an application module and a target IPMI device. A session abstraction layer module receives an IPMI request from the application module over a first communication link. The session abstraction layer module establishes an IPMI session with the target IPMI device over a second communication link and forwards the IPMI request to the target IPMI device via the established IPMI session. The session abstraction layer module then receives a response to the IPMI request from the target IPMI device via the established IPMI session, and forwards the response to the application module over the first communication link.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for managing Intelligent Platform Management Interface (“IPMI”) sessions between an application module and a target IPMI device. A session abstraction layer module receives an IPMI request from the application module over a first communication link. The session abstraction layer module establishes an IPMI session with the target IPMI device over a second communication link and forwards the IPMI request to the target IPMI device via the established IPMI session. The session abstraction layer module then receives a response to the IPMI request from the target IPMI device via the established IPMI session, and forwards the response to the application module over the first communication link.

Abstract: A redirection gateway is provided that bridges connections between redirection server computers and redirection client computers. The redirection gateway communicates with a redirection gateway client executing on a redirection client computer. In response to receiving a request from the redirection gateway client application, the redirection gateway establishes a connection to a redirection server application. The redirection gateway client application then causes an appropriate redirection client application for connecting to the redirection server application to be executed. The redirection gateway client application also instructs the redirection client application to connect to the redirection gateway. Once a connection between the redirection gateway and the redirection client application has been established, the redirection gateway bridges its connection to the redirection server application with its connection to the redirection client application.

Abstract: A redirection gateway is provided that bridges connections between redirection server computers and redirection client computers. The redirection gateway communicates with a redirection gateway client executing on a redirection client computer. In response to receiving a request from the redirection gateway client application, the redirection gateway establishes a connection to a redirection server application. The redirection gateway client application then causes an appropriate redirection client application for connecting to the redirection server application to be executed. The redirection gateway client application also instructs the redirection client application to connect to the redirection gateway. Once a connection between the redirection gateway and the redirection client application has been established, the redirection gateway bridges its connection to the redirection server application with its connection to the redirection client application.

Abstract: Communicating non-keyboard related data via a keyboard connection is disclosed. A keyboard protocol format is added to the non-keyboard related data. The non-keyboard related data is then transmitted within the keyboard protocol format through the keyboard connection. Once the keyboard protocol format has been received through the keyboard connection, it is parsed to retrieve the non-keyboard related data from the keyboard protocol format. The non-keyboard related data is then processed accordingly. The non-keyboard related data may include mouse coordinates, a command to disable a display of a mouse cursor, a test signal, or mouse function commands transmitted from a remote computer to a local computer over a network via an interaction device and through the keyboard connection of the local computer. The keyboard connection may be a PS/2 connection or an USB connection.