Abstract: A method, system, and software instructions for allocating power in a information handling system are operable to respond to a power profiling request by transitioning a processing resource to a first power consumption state and obtaining and storing a first power consumption value. The first power consumption value is then retrieved and used to allocate power to the first processing resource in response to a power on request. The first power consumption state may be a state in which power consumption approximates a maximum power consumption. The processing resource may be further transitioned to a second power consumption state and a second power consumption value obtained. The second power consumption state may be a reduced performance state. Thereafter, responsive to determining that the system lacks sufficient power budget to fulfill a pending request for power, the processing resource is throttled and power is allocated using the second power consumption value.

Abstract: In an information handling system, a universal serial bus (USB) key emulation system includes a USB hub operable to communicate with a USB host, a USB bus communicatively coupled with the USB hub, a USB controller communicatively coupled with the USB bus via a set of endpoints, and a USB virtual media module communicatively coupled with the USB controller and operable to communicate data between the USB controller and a plurality of data storage devices as if the plurality of data storage devices are a single USB key.

Abstract: A method may include generating an efficiency curve for each of a plurality of power sources and operating the plurality of power sources based at least on the generated efficiency curve. Generating the efficiency curve for each power source may include coupling a test load to the power source for a period of time, measuring an output power after the period of time, determining a productivity of the power source, determining an efficiency of each power source based at least on the measured output power and the determined productivity, repeating the efficiency determination of the power source for a plurality of different test loads, and generating an efficiency curve from at least the determined efficiencies.

Abstract: Information handling system network addresses are managed to support a consistent MAC address for iSCSI and fibre channel host bus adapter. For example, a management controller retrieves a MAC address from persistent memory, such as a network location, and assigns the MAC address to a non-persistent memory of a predetermined information handling system network component so that the MAC address remains consistent even if the network component is replaced. For example, an offload engine that supports network communications with iSCSI receives a MAC address from a network location and applies the MAC address for use by a host bus adapter. Alternatively, an offload engine supports Fibre Channel with World Wide Name or World Wide Identifier address assignments.

Abstract: A method of employing a power supply grid can include transmitting an identification initiation command from a control module to a first power supply unit to initiate a corresponding identification command. The method can also include transmitting an identification command from the first power supply unit to other power supply unit(s) that are supplied with power using a power supply phase in common with the first power supply. The method can further include transmitting identification acknowledgement signal(s) from the other power supply unit(s) to the control module in response to the first corresponding identification command. In one embodiment, the method can include mapping which power supply units correspond to various power supply grids. In other embodiments, control modules and power distribution systems can be operable to perform portions of the methods.

Abstract: A blade information handling system server prevents excess power demand from blade information handling systems by inventorying the power consumption of each blade information handling system before startup. Another power consumption inventory performed after startup ensures an accurate power consumption inventory for making subsequent startup decision. The baseboard management controller performs the first power consumption inventory with the processing components of the blade information handling system in an off state. The power inventory is communicated to the chassis management controller to obtain authorization to startup based on the power available at the chassis. The second power inventory is performed with the processing components in an on state and forwarded to the chassis management controller for use in subsequent determinations of power available at the chassis.

Abstract: Information handling system network addresses are managed based on the location of the information handling system. For example, a blade information handling system chassis has network addresses stored in persistent memory and associated with each of plural slots. A blade information handling system inserted in a slot receives network addresses associated with the slot from a chassis management controller. A baseboard management controller of the blade information handling system receives the network addresses and applies the network addresses to power up networking components to communicate over a network with the network addresses, such as MAC addresses or WWN addresses.

Abstract: A method of controlling power supplies in an information handling system, comprising measuring a power consumption of each of a plurality of electrical devices in the information handling system and adjusting a number of operating power supplies based at least in part on the measured power consumption of each of the plurality of electrical devices.

Abstract: A method, system, and software instructions for allocating power in a information handling system are operable to respond to a power profiling request by transitioning a processing resource to a first power consumption state and obtaining and storing a first power consumption value. The first power consumption value is then retrieved and used to allocate power to the first processing resource in response to a power on request. The first power consumption state may be a state in which power consumption approximates a maximum power consumption. The processing resource may be further transitioned to a second power consumption state and a second power consumption value obtained. The second power consumption state may be a reduced performance state. Thereafter, responsive to determining that the system lacks sufficient power budget to fulfill a pending request for power, the processing resource is throttled and power is allocated using the second power consumption value.

Abstract: A blade information handling system server prevents excess power demand from blade information handling systems by inventorying the power consumption of each blade information handling system before startup. Another power consumption inventory performed after startup ensures an accurate power consumption inventory for making subsequent startup decision. The baseboard management controller performs the first power consumption inventory with the processing components of the blade information handling system in an off state. The power inventory is communicated to the chassis management controller to obtain authorization to startup based on the power available at the chassis. The second power inventory is performed with the processing components in an on state and forwarded to the chassis management controller for use in subsequent determinations of power available at the chassis.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a set of processing resources and a management resource. The processing resources include a microprocessor and memory accessible to the microprocessor. The management resource is operable to power-up, reset, and power-off the processing resources. The management resource includes a first management module and a redundant second management module. The management resource responds to a single firmware update request by updating firmware on the first management module while maintaining the second management module in a slave mode and, upon successfully updating the firmware on the first management module, updating firmware on the second management module while maintaining the first management module in a passive mode.

Abstract: A method of operating a remote access control unit which comprises first and second units each having an Ethernet port for remotely controlling modules of a server system, comprises the steps of powering up the server system; initializing the first unit into master mode thereby establishing a remote access through the first Ethernet port; assigning and storing a remote access address for the first unit; controlling modules of the server system by the first unit via a communication bus; initializing the redundant second unit into slave mode and disabling a coupling of the modules and the second unit; establishing a communication path between the first and second unit; and monitoring operability of the first unit; wherein upon failure of the first unit, the first unit is decoupled from the modules, the second unit is switched to master mode, thereby establishing a remote access through the second Ethernet port using the previously stored address and coupling the second unit with the modules for control operatio

Abstract: A system and method for indirect throttling of a system resource by a processor are disclosed. An information handling system includes a chassis that receives modular components, a processor disposed in the chassis and a system resource in communication with the processor. A management module associated with the chassis generates a throttle signal that throttles operation of the processor in response to receiving an alarm such that the processor reduces the throughput of the system resource.

Abstract: A system and method for on-line diagnosing a network interface card (NIC) includes a NIC configuration test module, a NIC communication test module and a test response generator. An information handling system includes a server having a NIC that is able to communicate with a network. The NIC configuration test module detects configuration errors associated with the NIC. The NIC communication test module determines if the NIC can communicate with another server by identifying at least one associated address, sending at least one packet to the associated address and receiving at least one packet from the associated address.

Abstract: A method and system of detecting and reporting failures in a computer, in particular a personal computer is disclosed. Event codes related to failure events are given unique alpha numeric designations, allowing universal recognition of failures related to diagnostic programs that are ran. The unique event codes are stored in an error log when a particular failure is found through the operation of a diagnostic program. The error log is parsed as to determined values and can be minimized further by eliminating redundant occurrences of the event codes. Event codes can be related to frequently asked question (FAQ) files, the FAQ files can then be presented to a user. In certain cases, the presented FAQ files can be minimized further by a template that masks out irrelevant FAQ files. The FAQ file that are considered relevant can be predetermined per the requirements of the user.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying executable diagnostic routines using machine information and diagnostic information in a computer system is provided. The method includes detecting machine information, detecting diagnostic information corresponding to the machine information, and causing one of a plurality of diagnostic routines to be selectable for execution according to the diagnostic information.

Abstract: A system and method for on-line diagnosing a network interface card (NIC) includes a NIC configuration test module, a NIC communication test module and a test response generator. An information handling system includes a server having a NIC that is able to communicate with a network. The NIC configuration test module detects configuration errors associated with the NIC. The NIC communication test module determines if the NIC can communicate with another server by identifying at least one associated address, sending at least one packet to the associated address and receiving at least one packet from the associated address.

Abstract: A method and system of detecting and reporting failures in a computer, in particular a personal computer is disclosed. Event codes related to failure events are given unique alpha numeric designations, allowing universal recognition of failures related to diagnostic programs that are ran. The unique event codes are stored in an error log when a particular failure is found through the operation of a diagnostic program. The error log is parsed as to determined values and can be minimized further by eliminating redundant occurrences of the event codes. Event codes can be related to frequently asked question (FAQ) files, the FAQ files can then be presented to a user. In certain cases, the presented FAQ files can be minimized further by a template that masks out irrelevant FAQ files. The FAQ file that are considered relevant can be predetermined per the requirements of the user.

Abstract: A computing system and operating method are executable on a target processor and bootstrap loads and run an application program or interface from an alternative medium, for example a CD-ROM medium or via a network link, when an operating system associated with the application program or interface is not installed on the target processor. For example, a computing system includes an executable program code or command entries that load and run a graphical user interface functionality when the operating system associated with the graphical user interface is not installed. The computing system typically includes a processor, a CD-ROM drive coupled to the processor, and a Random-Access Memory (RAM) Drive coupled to the processor. The executable program code or command entries substitute a designator of the RAM-Drive in place of predefined drive designators that are hard-coded into base code of the operating system.

Abstract: A method for installing and/or testing software for a build-to-order computer system includes reading a plurality of component descriptors from a computer readable file. At least one component descriptor describes a respective component of the computer system. A plurality of steps are retrieved from a database, at least one step being associated with a respective component descriptor. A step also includes a respective sequence number. The plurality of steps are sequenced in a predetermined order according to the sequence numbers to provide a step sequence. The step sequence includes commands for installing and/or testing software upon the computer system.