Abstract: A computer system in accordance with the present invention provides a method of communicating asynchronous events from a mini-port driver of a computer system to a software component without polling the mini-port driver. The computer system provides a monolithic driver as a dispatch between a mini-port driver and a software component. Until an asynchronous event is detected, an event thread in the monolithic driver to a software component is blocked. When an asynchronous event is detected by the mini-port driver, the mini-port driver calls the monolithic driver with a monolithic driver entry point which queues the event and unblocks the event thread. The monolithic driver provides the asynchronous event to the software component through the unblocked event thread. The event thread is then re-blocked and remains blocked until another asynchronous event is detected. Asynchronous events are thereby communicated from a mini-port driver to a software component without polling the mini-port driver.

Abstract: By allowing a host processor to control an intelligent Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) device's reset logic, the PCI device's programmable read only memory (also known as PROM, EEPROM, or FLASH EEPROM) can be reprogrammed without storing any reprogramming instructions (also known as PROXY code) in the PROM itself. During reprogramming operations the host processor commands the PCI device into a reset-and-hold mode. During this time the host processor downloads reprogramming instructions and replacement code into the PCI's random access memory. When released from reset, the PCI device executes the reprogramming code downloaded by the host processor.

Abstract: A management system for a file server having a system board, an expansion board, a disk storage system and a server manager for collecting management information from the system board.

Abstract: A method of managing a plurality of networked manageable devices which include at least one file server having a system board, a drive array subsystem associated with the file server and a server manager installed in the file server for monitoring the system board from a manager console using a management information base or "MIB". First, second and third plurality of objects which describe the system board, the drive array subsystem and the server manager, respectively, are collected and assembled into a MIB. The assembled MIB is then used to manage the file server.

Abstract: A protocol for local data transfers between a system manager for a computer system and a network operating system associated with the computer system and a method for exchanging command and response messages between the system manager and the network operating system using a bus master interface provided between the two. Various ones of the interface registers are reserved by the side transferring information, command written to the interface registers and the other side notified of the information transferred to the interface and the reservation released. The interface is also used to transfer responses to the side originating the command.