Abstract: Administration of IHSs (Information Handling Systems) within a data center results gradual drift of the configuration parameters of the individual IHSs such that the IHSs may no longer be in compliance with data center policies, such as policies in support of security and disaster recovery procedures. Embodiments provide techniques for distributed determination of drift within a network of managed IHSs, in which each managed IHS is provided with baselines for the configuration parameters utilized by each managed IHS. Using the provided baselines, each managed IHS identifies discrepancies between its current configuration and the applicable baselines. Based on discrepancies reported by the managed IHSs, a management console evaluates drift within the network of managed IHSs and determines when to trigger remediation procedures in order to correct the drift.

Abstract: A host device access monitoring and reporting system includes a management system coupled to server devices through a network. Each server device includes a BIOS that generates and transmits pre-boot access event reports for pre-boot access events occurring prior to the completion of a boot process for that server device, and an operating system that generates and transmits post-boot access event reports for post-boot access events occurring subsequent to the completion of the boot process for that server device. A remote access controller in each server device receives pre-boot access event reports from the BIOS in that server device and, in response, publishes pre-boot access event notifications to the management system. The remote access controller in each server device also receives the post-boot access event reports from the operating system in that server device and, in response, publishes post-boot access event notifications to the management system.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for supporting management of an unrecognized device operating as a component of an IHS (Information Handling System). An unrecognized device operating on the IHS is detected. The unrecognized device is probes for determining properties of the unrecognized device. The unrecognized device is monitored for characteristic communications that are indicative of a type of device. A signature of the unrecognized device is generated based on the probed properties and the monitored communications of the unrecognized. Based on the generated signature, a device pack is created that supports management of the unrecognized device. A device pack may include instructions used by a remote access controller of the IHS for management of the unrecognized device. The created device pack may be generated based on monitoring keys supported by firmware of the unrecognized device. The remote access controller may probe and monitor the unrecognized device.

Abstract: Within a data center, network interfaces may vary greatly. Network controllers from various manufacturers may support different capabilities and may be implemented as different types of hardware devices. Embodiments provide techniques for adaptive configuration of a network interface that is migrated from a source IHS to a target IHS. A network migration tool evaluates discrepancies between the source network interface configuration and the target network interface configuration. Based on the identified discrepancies, the network migration tool determines whether the target network interface may be adapted to be compatible, or at least not incompatible, with the source network interface. Multiple IHSs may be evaluated as potential targets for migration to identify a target IHS that utilizes a target network interface that most closely aligns with the configuration of the source network interface, where this alignment includes adaptive modifications of the target network interface.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for supporting management of an unrecognized device operating as a component of an IHS (Information Handling System). An unrecognized device operating on the IHS is detected. The unrecognized device is probes for determining properties of the unrecognized device. The unrecognized device is monitored for characteristic communications that are indicative of a type of device. A signature of the unrecognized device is generated based on the probed properties and the monitored communications of the unrecognized. Based on the generated signature, a device pack is created that supports management of the unrecognized device. A device pack may include instructions used by a remote access controller of the IHS for management of the unrecognized device. The created device pack may be generated based on monitoring keys supported by firmware of the unrecognized device. The remote access controller may probe and monitor the unrecognized device.

Abstract: Within a data center, network interfaces may vary greatly. Network controllers from various manufacturers may support different capabilities and may be implemented as different types of hardware devices. Embodiments provide techniques for adaptive configuration of a network interface that is migrated from a source IHS to a target IHS. A network migration tool evaluates discrepancies between the source network interface configuration and the target network interface configuration. Based on the identified discrepancies, the network migration tool determines whether the target network interface may be adapted to be compatible, or at least not incompatible, with the source network interface. Multiple IHSs may be evaluated as potential targets for migration to identify a target IHS that utilizes a target network interface that most closely aligns with the configuration of the source network interface, where this alignment includes adaptive modifications of the target network interface.

Abstract: Administration of IHSs (Information Handling Systems) within a data center results gradual drift of the configuration parameters of the individual IHSs such that the IHSs may no longer be in compliance with data center policies, such as policies in support of security and disaster recovery procedures. Embodiments provide techniques for distributed determination of drift within a network of managed IHSs, in which each managed IHS is provided with baselines for the configuration parameters utilized by each managed IHS. Using the provided baselines, each managed IHS identifies discrepancies between its current configuration and the applicable baselines. Based on discrepancies reported by the managed IHSs, a management console evaluates drift within the network of managed IHSs and determines when to trigger remediation procedures in order to correct the drift.

Abstract: A host device access monitoring and reporting system includes a management system coupled to server devices through a network. Each server device includes a BIOS that generates and transmits pre-boot access event reports for pre-boot access events occurring prior to the completion of a boot process for that server device, and an operating system that generates and transmits post-boot access event reports for post-boot access events occurring subsequent to the completion of the boot process for that server device. A remote access controller in each server device receives pre-boot access event reports from the BIOS in that server device and, in response, publishes pre-boot access event notifications to the management system. The remote access controller in each server device also receives the post-boot access event reports from the operating system in that server device and, in response, publishes post-boot access event notifications to the management system.

Abstract: A method and system for deploying third party device services through an enclosed appliance interface using containers. Specifically, the disclosed method and system entail employing a generic plugin to facilitate the integration and execution of custom, third-party plugins onto the framework of a platform. The custom, third-party plugins, via the generic plugin, perform hardware device operations as secured and sandboxed computer processes (i.e., containers), which are stateless, and thus, fail to cause idling across computer processor and memory usage.