Abstract: A system for securely and reliably transferring startup script files over a network may include a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) network stack on a client server wherein the client server requests startup script over the network upon startup of the client server using a secure transfer network protocol and receives over the network the startup script. A computing device may comprise a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) shell to request a download of startup script, over a network, upon startup of the client server wherein the startup script is staged in a provisioned storage device within the client server to be mounted as local file systems in the client server. The UEFI shell.

Abstract: A system tor securely and reliably transferring startup script files over a network may include a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) network stack on a client server wherein the client server requests startup script over the network upon startup of the client server using a secure transfer network protocol and receives over the network the startup script. A computing device may comprise a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) shell to request a download of startup script, over a network, upon startup of the client server wherein the startup script is staged in a provisioned storage device within the client server to be mounted as local file systems in the client server. The UEFI shell.

Abstract: Generally, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a system having a north bridge and two or more Front Side Buses (FSBs) coupled to the north bridge is provided. The first front side bus has at least a first central processing unit coupled thereto. The second front side bus has at least a second central processing unit coupled thereto.

Abstract: Techniques for initializing/reinitializing a device on an expansion card without power cycling the system. More specifically, an instruction set is provided such that a device on an expansion card can be reinitialized without power cycling the system. Further, the instruction set may be implemented to initialize a device on a replacement expansion card. During the system boot, an expansion basic input/output system (BIOS) is copied into the system memory. After the system boot, a copy of the configuration information for the device on the expansion card is saved in a backup file in the system memory. The expansion card can be removed and replaced and the configuration information stored in the backup file in the system memory can be used to configure the replacement device. The copy of the expansion BIOS in the system memory can be reprogrammed such that it can be implemented to initialize the device on the replacement expansion card without power cycling the system.

Abstract: Techniques for initializing/reinitializing a device on an expansion card without power cycling the system. More specifically, an instruction set is provided such that a device on an expansion card can be reinitialized without power cycling the system. Further, the instruction set may be implemented to initialize a device on a replacement expansion card. During the system boot, an expansion basic input/output system (BIOS) is copied into the system memory. After the system boot, a copy of the configuration information for the device on the expansion card is saved in a backup file in the system memory. The expansion card can be removed and replaced and the configuration information stored in the backup file in the system memory can be used to configure the replacement device. The copy of the expansion BIOS in the system memory can be reprogrammed such that it can be implemented to initialize the device on the replacement expansion card without power cycling the system.

Abstract: Techniques for initializing/reinitializing a device on an expansion card without power cycling the system. More specifically, an instruction set is provided such that a device on an expansion card can be reinitialized without power cycling the system. Further, the instruction set may be implemented to initialize a device on a replacement expansion card. During the system boot, an expansion basic input/output system (BIOS) is copied into the system memory. After the system boot, a copy of the configuration information for the device on the expansion card is saved in a backup file in the system memory. The expansion card can be removed and replaced and the configuration information stored in the backup file in the system memory can be used to configure the replacement device. The copy of the expansion BIOS in the system memory can be reprogrammed such that it can be implemented to initialize the device on the replacement expansion card without power cycling the system.

Abstract: Generally, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a system having a north bridge and two or more Front Side Buses (FSBs) coupled to the north bridge is provided. The first front side bus has at least a first central processing unit coupled thereto. The second front side bus has at least a second central processing unit coupled thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to determine if a device error rate equals or exceeds a threshold. In an apparatus embodiment, a system comprises a device, and an interrupt handler executable by a processor. The interrupt handler executes, upon expiration of a time period, to determine if a threshold error rate associated with the device has been equaled or exceeded.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes exemplary embodiments of BIOS-based systems and methods of processor power management. Such systems include a computer system, comprising: a processor operable at a plurality of power levels (the processor comprises a register capable of storing a processor load value); a memory coupled to the processor; and BIOS software stored in the memory that executes on the processor, (the BIOS software comprises a power management module). The power management module sets the processor to a new power level of the plurality of power levels if a function of the load value indicates the new power level.

Abstract: A computer system powers off upon operation of a power switch when the power switch is enabled. A switch mask enables and disables the power switch without intervention by an operating system of the computer system.

Abstract: A system includes a storage subsystem capable of being set in at least a first mode and a second mode. When operating the storage subsystem in the first mode, redundant information is stored in a first portion of the storage subsystem in the first mode. An indication is received to indicate that a mode of the storage subsystem is to be changed from the first mode to the second mode. In response to the indication, the mode of the storage subsystem is changed from the first mode to the second mode. In the second mode, non-redundant information is stored in the first portion of the storage subsystem. The mode of the storage subsystem is changed without resetting the system.

Abstract: Techniques for initializing/reinitializing a device on an expansion card without power cycling the system. More specifically, an instruction set is provided such that a device on an expansion card can be reinitialized without power cycling the system. Further, the instruction set may be implemented to initialize a device on a replacement expansion card. During the system boot, an expansion basic input/output system (BIOS) is copied into the system memory. After the system boot, a copy of the configuration information for the device on the expansion card is saved in a backup file in the system memory. The expansion card can be removed and replaced and the configuration information stored in the backup file in the system memory can be used to configure the replacement device. The copy of the expansion BIOS in the system memory can be reprogrammed such that it can be implemented to initialize the device on the replacement expansion card without power cycling the system.