Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to apparatuses, methods, and systems for a computing system feature activation mechanism. In an embodiment, a computing system receives a remotely generated feature activation information. The computing system compares the remotely generated feature activation information with a built-in feature activation mechanism. In an embodiment, a feature of the computing system is activated if the remotely generated feature activation information matches the built-in feature activation mechanism. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A control hub includes a first interface and a second interface to transfer data. The first interface connects to a first bus. The second interface connects to a peripheral bus. The control hub receives configuration address and configuration data during a configuration access. The control hub transfers the configuration data between the first interface and the second interface without transferring the configuration data to a configuration data register. The control hub further includes other interfaces to allow access to peripheral devices for system management and testing purposes.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a processor, an expander memory bridge location, a memory coupled to the expander memory bridge location, and a bus controller including intercept logic to intercept and block communication from the processor to the expander memory bridge location and to emulate an expander memory bridge. In some embodiments, a method includes intercepting and blocking a status request to a device, regardless of whether the device is installed, and responding to the status request.