Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates identifying expansion cards installed in a computer system. The system operates by first examining a device tree for the computer system to identify nodes within the device tree that are associated with the computer expansion cards. Next, the system obtains a subset of parameters from the device tree that are associated with the computer expansion cards, and then performs a pattern match between the subset of parameters for each card and entries in an information file to identify each computer expansion card.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates identifying expansion cards installed in a computer system. The system operates by first examining a device tree for the computer system to identify nodes within the device tree that are associated with the computer expansion cards. Next, the system obtains a subset of parameters from the device tree that are associated with the computer expansion cards, and then performs a pattern match between the subset of parameters for each card and entries in an information file to identify each computer expansion card.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates using regular expression parameterization to specify properties in tables in a computer system. During operation, the system receives a configuration file, wherein the configuration file contains lines that specify values for properties to be stored in rows of one or more the tables in the computer system. Next, the system processes lines in the configuration file, wherein processing a given line involves, reading a key-property list from the given line, and using property-value pairs from the key-property list to match properties in one or more rows in a table. Processing the given line also involves reading a property-value list from the given line, and using property-value pairs from the property-value list to update values for one or more properties in the matching rows.