Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for passing configuration information over a network. In one embodiment, the configuration information is passed between a DHCP server and a DHCP client and includes parameters not formally defined within DHCP. The parameters are therefore encoded into a vendor-specific portion of a DHCP message using at least one triplet comprising a code field, a length field, and a value field. The value field comprises a set of one or more name-value pairs. The code field includes an indication of encryption of the value field. In another embodiment, a fixed-function appliance device is attached to a network, and is booted using boot code and a configuration stored locally to the device. The device then downloads a network configuration, which is compared to the locally stored configuration. If the network configuration is different from the locally stored configuration, the network configuration is stored locally to the device.

Abstract: A computer system is connectable to a network. The computer system includes a plurality of processing units, each of the processing units being provided with a respective network identity for communication with the network. At least one service processor is operable to allocate network identities to the processing units. A switch is provided for interconnecting the processing units to the network. The switch is operable to maintain a record of the network identities allocated to the processing units by the service processor and filters network access by each processing unit such that network access is blocked where a processing unit identity does not correspond to that held by the switch. By maintaining a record of the network identities allocated to the processing units by the service processor in the switch and filtering network access, access by a processing unit that has been changed or where its network identity has otherwise changed, can be prevented, maintaining the integrity of the network.

Abstract: A server blade is provided which comprises a processor. The server blade additionally comprises an enclosure which encloses the processor. The server blade is configured as a field replaceable unit removably receivable in a carrier of a modular computer system, and is configured as an oversized unit to span more than one standard information processing module receiving location in the carrier.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a plurality of shelves. Each shelf has a carrier for removably receiving a plurality of information processing modules and a switching module. Each shelf also has an interconnection member for providing connections between the information processing modules and the switching module. The switching modules of the respective shelves are interconnected in a logical stacking configuration to form a logical stacking arrangement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for passing configuration information over a network. In one embodiment, the configuration information is passed between a DHCP server and a DHCP client and includes parameters not formally defined within DHCP. The parameters are therefore encoded into a vendor-specific portion of a DHCP message using at least one triplet comprising a code field, a length field, and a value field. The value field comprises a set of one or more name-value pairs. The code field includes an indication of encryption of the value field. In another embodiment, a fixed-function appliance device is attached to a network, and is booted using boot code and a configuration stored locally to the device. The device then downloads a network configuration, which is compared to the locally stored configuration. If the network configuration is different from the locally stored configuration, the network configuration is stored locally to the device.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a plurality of shelves. Each shelf has a carrier for removably receiving a plurality of information processing modules and a switching module. Each shelf also has an interconnection member for providing connections between the information processing modules and the switching module. The shelves are logically connected into a plurality of stacks, the switching modules of the respective shelves in each stack being interconnected in a logical stacking configuration.

Abstract: A first host system can be configured initially with a first host identity and a second host system can be configured initially with a second host identity. A host identity can belong to only one host system at a time. An administrator system can hold an additional host identity. The administrator system can securely connect to the first host system and can pass the additional host identity to the first host system. The first host system can reconfiguring itself to use the additional host identity and can pass the first host identity to the administrator system. The administrator system can securely connect to the second host system and can pass the first host identity to the second host system. The second host system can then reconfigure itself to use the first host identity and pass the second host identity to the administrator system. In this manner the first host identity can be passed securely from the first to the host system without a risk of duplication.

Abstract: Monitoring the health of a system module can be carried out during state transitioning, for example when starting or stopping a system module. A monitor module can be operationally connected to the system module. The system module can output a status signal for predetermined system status points during state transitioning. The monitor module can start a timer on detecting a first status signal and can reset the timer on detecting a subsequent status signal. The timer can indicate a failed transitioning of the system module in the event that the timer is not reset within a determined period of being reset.

Abstract: First and second host systems can each include a respective repository of host identities. The first host system can encode a host identity to be transferred to the second host system using a parameter, for example a property of the second host system. The first host system can divulge the result of the encoding and remove the host identity from its repository. The second host system can decode the host identity to be transferred using the parameter, and can then add the host identity to be transferred to its repository.

Abstract: A file server system tolerant to hardware and software failures is located over a plurality of hardware nodes. The nodes of the system act as hosts for software components of the system. Several of the software components can be replicated. The replicable software components include the system file store, a checker and a logger. The replicated components have one primary copy and one or more back-up copies. Replica copies of a given replicated component are each located at different nodes. Location and handling of replica copies of a given replicable component is under the control of a replication manager which is a (non-replicable) software component of the system. The replication manager is distributed meaning it can have one of its instances running on each node of the system. These instances inter-communicate to maintain coherence. The failure detector is also distributed, its instances running on each of the nodes, and contributing to an early detection of hardware and software failures.

Abstract: A module for a modular system includes requirement indicators defining features of a component required for the module to operate, capability indicators defining features provided by the module and ability indicators defining features of the component acceptable to the module. The combination of the requirements, compatibility and ability indicators provides a very flexible structure for indicating and testing requirements and capabilities in that it permits the designation of requirements, capabilities and the capability to accept inverted capabilities. A variable number of the requirement, capability and ability indicators can be provided to accommodate future requirements. Verification logic is operable to determine compatibility when defined relationships between the requirement, capability and ability indicators for the module and an interconnected component are met. One of the module and the component can be a system component such as a mother board.