Abstract: A system can include storage for identification data for individuals; an interface configured to receive image data; recognition circuitry configured to recognize individuals using received image data and stored identification data; grouping circuitry configured to define groups based on recognized individuals; assignment circuitry configured to assign media consumption preferences to defined groups; and output circuitry configured to output preferred media information based on assigned media consumption preferences of a defined group of recognized individuals. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for variable authentication requirements. The apparatus includes an operating status module identifying a change in an operating status of a device and maintaining a history of operating statuses, and an access control module comparing a current operating status with a previous operating status. The apparatus also includes a profile module maintaining a trust indicator for each operating status. The access control module determines a level of authentication required to unlock the device in response to the trust indicator associated with the current operating status. The method includes identifying a change in an operating status of a device and maintaining a history of operating statuses, and comparing a current operating status with a previous operating status.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pairing a base and a detachable device. A query module queries a detachable device in response to the detachable device connecting to a base. The detachable device provides a display for the base if the detachable device and base are connected. A determination module determines if the detachable device is paired with the base. A credential module obtains a pairing credential for a pairing in response to the determination module determining that the detachable device is unpaired with the base.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for power management. A monitor module monitors a connection between a base and a detachable device from the base and from the detachable device. The detachable device provides a display for the base if the detachable device and base are connected. A detection module detects a connection event selected from the group consisting of a detachable device connection to the base and a detachable device disconnection from the base.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for state sharing. A change module detects a change of a configuration state for at least one of a base and a detachable device. A connection module detects a connection between the base and the detachable device. The detachable device provides a display and a network connection for the base if the base and detachable device are connected. A synchronize module synchronizes the configuration state of the detachable device with the configuration state of the base in response to detecting the connection and detecting the change of configuration state.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for granting hypervisor privileges. An installation module installs a monitor hypervisor wherein only the monitor hypervisor is granted the hypervisor privileges by the computer. An authentication module authenticates a second hypervisor. An eviction module evicts the monitor hypervisor if the second hypervisor is authenticated. The installation module further installs the second hypervisor after the monitor hypervisor is evicted so that only the second hypervisor is granted hypervisor privileges by the computer.

Abstract: A system, method, and program product is provided that has a virtualized environment provided by a hypervisor. In the virtualized environment, one or more guest operating systems operate simultaneously with a privileged operating system. One of the guest operating systems identifies a device software update, such as a device driver or firmware update, corresponding to a hardware device that is attached to the computer system. The hypervisor is used to notify the privileged operating system of the device software update. When the privileged operating system is notified of the update, the privileged operating system uses one or more techniques to deny the guest operating systems access to the device. The privileged operating system then updates the device software update. After the device software update has been applied, the privileged operating system resumes access between the guest operating systems and the hardware device.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for deduplicating storage cache data. A storage cache partition table has at least one entry associating a specified storage address range with one or more specified storage partitions. A deduplication module creates an entry in the storage cache partition table wherein the specified storage partitions contain identical data to one another within the specified storage address range thus requiring only one copy of the identical data to be cached in a storage cache. A read module accepts a storage address within a storage partition of a storage subsystem, to locate an entry wherein the specified storage address range contains the storage address, and to determine whether the storage partition is among the one or more specified storage partitions if such an entry is found.

Abstract: A system and method for hybrid virtual machine monitor system is provided. A first operating system uses a file system to manage data storage and retrieval within a data storage area. A second operating system, which is not compatible with the first operating system's file system, executes a management application backup utility. The first operating system includes a filter driver that sends logical block addresses, which correspond to data reads/writes, to the management application backup utility. In turn, the management application backup utility uses the logical block addresses to perform operations on the data storage locations. In one embodiment, the management application backup utility performs actions on the data storage area, such as a disk defragmentation, and subsequently sends data location changes to the filter driver. In this embodiment, the filter driver instructs the first operating system's file system to update its translation tables based upon the data location changes.

Abstract: A system, method, and program product is provided that executes a start sequence of an information handling system that includes a hardware based TPM. Multiple PCRs are stored in the TPM and are initialized to a predetermined state when the start sequence commences. During execution of the start sequence, software modules, including a hypervisor, are loaded the system's memory. PCR values resulting from the loading of the software modules are calculated. The resulting PCR values are compared with expected PCR values. If the PCR values match the expected PCR values, then a virtual environment is created under the hypervisor. The virtual environment includes a VM and a virtual trust platform module (vTPM) that is used by the virtual machine to satisfy the virtual machines TPM requests.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for remotely booting a client from a storage area network (“SAN”). A connection module enables a client, such as a diskless client, to connect to two or more storage area networks (“SANs”), the SANs belonging to a group of redundant SANs, each SAN in the group redundantly storing at least a portion of substantially identical operating system data for the client. The boot module enables the client to remotely boot an operating system from the two or more redundant SANs. The boot module makes at least one read request to each of the two or more connected SANs, each read request configured to retrieve a disparate portion of the operating system data for loading the operating system onto the client. The boot module loads the operating system onto the client using a combination of data retrieved from the two or more connected SANs.

Abstract: While an information handling device is in a reduced power state, the information handling device transitions from the reduced power state to a higher power state in response to receiving a message over an established wireless network connection that maintains a presence on a wireless network. In turn, the information handling device processes the message accordingly in the higher power state.

Abstract: A technique for booting a stateless client includes booting a virtual machine (VM) monitor on the client. The VM monitor is stored in a non-volatile memory area of a memory subsystem (of the client) and a first portion of an operating system (which does not include any state information for the operating system) is stored in the non-volatile memory area of the client. Booting of the operating system for the client is initiated and a remote storage (that stores a second portion of the operating system that includes state information for the operating system) is accessed via a communication link. Booting of the operating system for the client is completed using the second portion of the operating system.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an IP address via a non-IP protocol communication interface, the IP address associated with an operating system environment established on a computing device; storing the received IP address in memory; responsive to a cessation of communication via the non-IP protocol communication interface, accessing the IP address stored in memory and transmitting the accessed IP address via an IP protocol network interface; and receiving information via the IP protocol network interface, the information issued by the operating system environment established on the computing device associated with the IP address. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for modifying a transition to an altered power state of an electronic device based on accelerometer output. The apparatus includes an electronic device having a display and an accelerometer. The apparatus also includes a determination module, and a modification module. The determination module determines an in-use condition of the electronic device based on accelerometer output for the electronic device. The modification module modifies a transition to an altered power state of the electronic device in response to the determination module determining the in-use condition.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for auditing access to secure data. A detection module detects an access to the secure data. A record module records an encrypted log entry describing the access to the secure data. A verification module verifies the secure data is securely stored.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for file system sharing. A Read-Only File System (ROFS) organization module organizes a single ROFS for a plurality of operating systems. Each operating system executes on a distinct virtual machine. Each virtual machine executes on a computer. A Read/Write File System (RWFS) organization module organizes an RWFS for each operating system. An access module accesses the RWFS and ROFS for each operating system. The RWFS and ROFS appear to each operating system as a single, private file system. Each RWFS comprises at least one pointer to the ROFS.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting viruses. According to the method, data is stored in a journal area of memory before changes embodied in the data are written to virtual memory. At least a first portion of the data in the journal area of memory is scanned for viruses. In some embodiments, a second portion of data that immediately precedes and/or immediately follows data to which the first portion of the data pertains is scanned for viruses. Preferably, the virtual memory includes a persistent storage device. Also provided is a system that includes a processor, a memory that includes virtual memory and a journal storage area, and a virus scanner controlled by the processor. The virus scanner scans the journal storage area for viruses.

Abstract: A call from a user operating system (UOS) to BIOS to configure a connected device into a reduced energy consumption mode is routed through a virtual machine monitor (VMM). The VMM determines whether a service O.S. (SOS) is in need of the device and if so the VMM informs the UOS that the device has been configured as ordered, while allowing the SOS to complete its task with the device. If the SOS is not in need of the device, or at the completion of the SOS task with the device, the VMM passes the call to ACPI/BIOS to configure the device in the demanded energy consumption mode.

Abstract: A “setmax” command is issued in BIOS to hide the service area (HPA) of a HDD during normal operation, so that the HPA cannot be accessed or erased inadvertently by the user or by a virus. Pressing a special key (e.g., F11) during booting permits access to the HPA.