Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods to provide a firmware update to devices configured in a redundant configuration in an Information Handling System (IHS) are disclosed. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, an IHS may include computer-executable instructions to send, to a server, a request to perform a firmware update on the firmware device, and receive, from the server, information associated with a plurality of firmware update images that are available for use with the firmware device and a score associated with each firmware update image. The score is indicative of how well its associated firmware update image functioned with each of a plurality of previous firmware updates on other firmware devices. Using the score, the instructions may select one firmware update image, and perform a firmware update on the firmware device using the one firmware update image.

Abstract: Systems and methods prevent nonsecure updates to firmware of an IHS (Information Handling System). During factory provisioning of the IHS, a manifest of firmware loaded for operating a hardware component of the IHS is digitally signed by a remote access controller of the IHS, and the signed manifest is stored to the IHS. Once the IHS has been deployed and during an interval where the IHS does not have access to external networks by which to validate a received firmware update, the signed manifest of loaded firmware is retrieved and used to determine whether the received firmware update is compatible with the loaded firmware of the hardware component. When the update is compatible with the loaded firmware, at least a portion of the loaded firmware is replaced with the firmware update and an updated manifest is digitally signed to reflect availability of the update for use by the hardware component.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods to provide a firmware update to devices configured in a redundant configuration in an Information Handling System (IHS) are disclosed. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, an IHS may include computer-executable instructions to receive a firmware update image associated with the storage unit, receive an indication that the storage unit requires a reboot of the IHS, and when the storage unit is experiencing minimal I/O usage, reset the storage unit using the firmware update image. The firmware update image is configured to perform rebootless firmware updates on the storage unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide multi-modal based updates to firmware utilized by a hardware component of an IHS (Information Handling System), where the firmware updates are managed by a remote access controller of the IHS that provides remote management of the hardware component. The remote access controller receives a notification of an update to an agreement for utilization of the hardware component, where the agreement indicates firmware modes authorized for use by the hardware component. Firmware modes are identified that are locally stored by the hardware component. Any firmware modes are identified that are authorized for use by the hardware component based on the updated first agreement and that are not locally stored by the hardware component, and the identified firmware modes are retrieved for local storage by the hardware component. In this manner, firmware utilized in an IHS remains consistent with applicable service agreements.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide multi-channel transmission of a firmware image to a hardware component of an IHS (Information Handling System), where the firmware image is transmitted by a remote access controller of the IHS that supports remote management of the IHS. Upon a firmware being initiated, the remote access controller determines an available bandwidth of a first signaling pathway of the hardware component and also determines an available bandwidth of a second signaling pathway of the hardware component. One portion of the firmware image is transmitted to the hardware component using the first signaling pathway, where a size of that portion is selected based on the available bandwidth of the first signaling pathway. Another portion of the firmware image is transmitted to the hardware component using the second signaling pathway, where a size of that portion is selected based on the available bandwidth of the second signaling pathway.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a remote access controller of an IHS (Information Handling System) that provides remote management of the IHS. The remote access controller initiates an update of firmware used to operate a hardware component of the IHS by transmitting a firmware image to the hardware component via a first signaling pathway connecting the remote access controller to the hardware component. The remote access controller detects a failure in transmission of the firmware image to the hardware component via the first signaling pathway and identifies a second signaling pathway connecting the remote access controller to the hardware component. The remote access controller resumes transmission of the firmware image to the hardware component via the second signaling pathway and the firmware used to operate the hardware component is updated using the transmitted firmware image.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods to provide a firmware update to devices configured in a redundant configuration in an Information Handling System (IHS) are disclosed. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, an IHS may include computer-executable instructions to receive a firmware update image associated with the firmware device, determine that the firmware update image possesses a critical sub-image portion, and schedule a firmware update to be performed in the future on the firmware device using the one firmware update image. The firmware update image conforms to a Platform Level Data Model (PLDM) protocol that is configured to perform rebootless firmware updates.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a remote access controller supporting remote management of an Information Handling System (IHS). The remote access controller receives a first firmware image comprising first firmware for a first hardware component of the IHS. A personality of the first firmware is determined and at least a portion of the first firmware is stored to a first region of a persistent storage of the first hardware component, where the first region is designated as storing firmware for adapting the first hardware component to the first personality. In response to a detected reconfiguration of the IHS, the remote access controller generates a notification of the first firmware that is stored by the first hardware component and that is usable to adapt operation of the first hardware component to the first personality.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods to provide a firmware update to multiple storage units configured with different interfaces in an Information Handling System (IHS) are disclosed. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, an IHS may include computer-executable instructions to receive a firmware update image associated with the storage units, and for each of the storage units, identify an update profile based on the type of interface associated with the storage unit, the interface configured to provide communication between the storage unit and the IHS, and perform a firmware update on the storage unit according to the update profile.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods to provide a firmware update to multiple storage units configured in a redundant configuration in an Information Handling System (IHS) are disclosed. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, an IHS may include computer-executable instructions to receive a firmware update image associated with multiple devices configured in the IHS, identify two or more of the devices that are configured in a redundant configuration relative to one another, and perform the firmware update sequentially on the two or more devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention can proactively determine if an individual is likely in need of roadside assistance. Information can be collected from the individual's phone, including the person's location, the type of road, ambient noise, and/or motion of nearby objects. If it is determined that the individual likely needs roadside assistance, the system can proactively contact the individual to see if roadside assistance is desired, and if so, initiates roadside assistance. The system also can provide helpful information, such as safety information, and/or automatically contact other individuals to alert them of the roadside event and the location of the individual.

Abstract: A personal information assistant computing system may include a user computing device having a processor and a non-transitory memory device storing instructions. The personal information assistant may receive a user accessible input as a natural language communication from the user, which may be analyzed by a personal information assistant to determine a task to be performed by the virtual information assistant. The personal information assistant may be personalized to the user using encrypted user information. The personal information assistant communicates with a remote computing system in performance of a computer-assisted task, wherein the first personal information assistant interacts as a proxy for the user in response to at least one response received from the remote computing system. The personal information assistant may communicate the results of the task to the user via a user information screen and/or an audio device.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention can proactively determine if an individual is likely in need of roadside assistance. Information can be collected from the individual's phone, including the person's location, the type of road, ambient noise, and/or motion of nearby objects. If it is determined that the individual likely needs roadside assistance, the system can proactively contact the individual to see if roadside assistance is desired, and if so, initiates roadside assistance. The system also can provide helpful information, such as safety information, and/or automatically contact other individuals to alert them of the roadside event and the location of the individual.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention can proactively determine if an individual is likely in need of roadside assistance. Information can be collected from the individual's phone, including the person's location, the type of road, ambient noise, and/or motion of nearby objects. If it is determined that the individual likely needs roadside assistance, the system can proactively contact the individual to see if roadside assistance is desired, and if so, initiates roadside assistance. The system also can provide helpful information, such as safety information, and/or automatically contact other individuals to alert them of the roadside event and the location of the individual.

Abstract: A personal information assistant computing system may include a user computing device having a processor and a non-transitory memory device storing instructions. The personal information assistant may receive a user accessible input as a natural language communication from the user, which may be analyzed by a personal information assistant to determine a task to be performed by the virtual information assistant. The personal information assistant may be personalized to the user using encrypted user information. The personal information assistant communicates with a remote computing system in performance of a computer-assisted task, wherein the first personal information assistant interacts as a proxy for the user in response to at least one response received from the remote computing system. The personal information assistant may communicate the results of the task to the user via a user information screen and/or an audio device.

Abstract: A personal information assistant computing system may include a user computing device having a processor and a non-transitory memory device storing instructions. The personal information assistant may receive a user accessible input as a natural language communication from the user, which may be analyzed by a personal information assistant to determine a task to be performed by the virtual information assistant. The personal information assistant may be personalized to the user using encrypted user information. The personal information assistant communicates with a remote computing system in performance of a computer-assisted task, wherein the first personal information assistant interacts as a proxy for the user in response to at least one response received from the remote computing system. The personal information assistant may communicate the results of the task to the user via a user information screen and/or an audio device.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention can proactively determine if an individual is likely in need of roadside assistance. Information can be collected from the individual's phone, including the person's location, the type of road, ambient noise, and/or motion of nearby objects. If it is determined that the individual likely needs roadside assistance, the system can proactively contact the individual to see if roadside assistance is desired, and if so, initiates roadside assistance. The system also can provide helpful information, such as safety information, and/or automatically contact other individuals to alert them of the roadside event and the location of the individual.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to authenticating a user requesting access to a computing resource. To authenticate the user, activity data describing various activities are collected and stored. The activities may be categorized, for example, as work-related activities, personal-related activities, and social-related activities. The activity data may be utilized to generate challenge questions to present to the user. If the user answers enough of the challenge questions correctly, then the user may be successfully authenticated and granted access to one or more computing resources.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention can proactively determine if an individual is likely in need of roadside assistance. Information can be collected from the individual's phone, including the person's location, the type of road, ambient noise, and/or motion of nearby objects. If it is determined that the individual likely needs roadside assistance, the system can proactively contact the individual to see if roadside assistance is desired, and if so, initiates roadside assistance. The system also can provide helpful information, such as safety information, and/or automatically contact other individuals to alert them of the roadside event and the location of the individual.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention can proactively determine if an individual is likely in need of roadside assistance. Information can be collected from the individual's phone, including the person's location, the type of road, and/or ambient noise. If it is determined that the individual likely needs roadside assistance, the system can proactively contact the individual to see if roadside assistance is desired, and if so, initiates roadside assistance. The system also can provide helpful information, such as safety information, and/or automatically contact other individuals to alert them of the roadside event and the location of the individual.