Abstract: A method of porting of trust data includes a computer system extracting trust data from the trust module using a manufacturer key. The trust data and the manufacturer key are then stored, encrypted with a control key, on a removable storage medium.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a system trust module for taking measurements for platform specific firmware during a system boot and a trust subsystem comprising a subsystem trust module for taking measurements for software provisioned on the computer system. The subsystem trust module is in communication with the system trust module.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus. The apparatus comprises: a processor; at least one I2C device; and a processor support chip. The processor support chip comprises a local service controller and a jointly addressable memory space and has an interface to the processor for the transfer of information therebetween. The processor support chip also has an interface for communication with a service processor; and an I2C interface for communication with the at least one I2C device. The local service controller has exclusive read and write access to the I2C interface; and is operable to maintain a data structure indicating a current value associated with the I2C device in the jointly addressable memory space for access by the processor and the service processor.

Abstract: An information processing system is provided. The information processing system comprises: an information processing subsystem including a processor and a processor support chip in data communication therewith. The processor support chip is operable to provide processor support functions for the processor, and comprises a local management entity. The system further comprises a remote management entity connected to communicate with a remote management network. The local management entity is connected to communicate with the remote management entity via a first management communication channel; and the local management entity is operable to monitor the remote management entity and, in response to detection of an error status of the remote management entity, to divert management communications to a second management communications channel bypassing the remote management entity to maintain communications with the remote management network.

Abstract: A service processor is provided for a computer system that includes a host processor and the service processor. The service processor includes a management interface including a first port forming an external user interface and a second port forming an internal console interface. The service processor is operable to provide system management functions within the computer system. It is also operable to respond to external mode switching commands received via the user interface to operate one of two modes. The first mode is a management mode in which commands received via the user interface are processed by the service processor. The second mode is a console mode in which commands received via the user interface are passed by the service processor to the console interface for processing by the host processor. The service processor can be implemented by a dual-ported microcontroller.

Abstract: A system and method for providing hot-swap status indication in a computer system having redundant power supplies. In one embodiment a system comprises an electrical subsystem that is powered by a first power supply and second power supply. The system further comprises a hot-swap indicator configured to provide a first user indication to indicate whether the first power supply is hot-swappable depending on whether the first power supply is operating at greater than a predetermined power capacity usage, such as fifty percent. The system may also include a second hot-swap indicator for the second power supply.

Abstract: A processing unit is connectable to a communications network. The processing unit has a data carrier reader operable to read a network identity from a portable data carrier. The processing unit is operable on being powered up to check for the presence of a said data carrier, and when a data carrier is present to use the network identity from the data carrier for communicating via the network. The data carrier can be in the form of a card having readable storage, for example a portable storage device having a readable semiconductor memory of a type know, for example, as a smart card, or memory card. The processing unit may be arranged to use only the network address read from the data carrier, and, in the absence of such a data carrier to prevent access to the network. Access to the network can be achieved by aborting the power up of the processing unit. The processing unit may therefore access the network only when the network address is present in the carrier reader when the processing unit is powered up.

Abstract: A system and method for providing hot-swap status indication in a computer system having redundant power supplies. In one embodiment a system comprises an electrical subsystem that is powered by a first power supply and second power supply. The system further comprises a hot-swap indicator configured to provide a first user indication to indicate whether the first power supply is hot-swappable depending on whether the first power supply is operating at greater than a predetermined power capacity usage, such as fifty percent. The system may also include a second hot-swap indicator for the second power supply.

Abstract: A fan control module is provided for a system unit. The fan control module includes power outputs for supplying power to a plurality of fan. It also includes a temperature sensor for giving a temperature signal. It further includes a control unit connected to receive the temperature signal and including preprogrammed control information for determining power signals to be supplied to each of the fan units for controlling the speed thereof. The fan control module can control the fan units in a coordinated manner enabling reliable and effective cooling of the system unit under widely varying parameters. It can mean that existing system components can be employed in harsher temperature environments that they were originally designed for, without needed a complete redesign thereof. The fan control module can be provided with electrical noise isolation circuitry to isolate other components from electrical noise generated by the fan units.

Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis with a single motherboard supporting at least one processor module. A power sub-system receives three power supply units and distributes power within the computer system. Each of the three power supplies has a power rating such that two of the three power supplies are sufficient to power the computer system. The combination of such a single-motherboard-based design with a redundant three-power supply sub-system provides reliability of operation in a cost-effective manner. The power sub-system includes a power distribution board with power distribution logic operable to distribute power from the power supply units for powering the processor module. The power distribution logic is operable to interrupt power for powering the processor module when two of the power supply units fail or are not present. An alarm sub-system is provided for reporting power supply faults.

Abstract: A computer system includes processing circuitry and alarm circuitry connectable to a network. A power sub-system includes at least three power supply units, wherein at least a predetermined plurality of power supply units are required to power the computer system. A power distribution mechanism is connectable to the power supply units. The power distribution mechanism is connected to the processing circuitry to supply main power thereto and is connected to the alarm circuitry to supply standby power thereto. The power distribution mechanism is operable to supply main power to the processing circuitry when at least a said predetermined plurality of connected power supplies are operative and is operable to supply standby power to the alarm circuitry when at least one power supply is operative.

Abstract: A service processor is provided for a computer system that includes a host processor and the service processor. The service processor includes a management interface including a first port forming an external user interface and a second port forming an internal console interface. The service processor is operable to provide system management functions within the computer system. It is also operable to respond to external mode switching commands received via the user interface to operate one of two modes. The first mode is a management mode in which commands received via the user interface are processed by the service processor. The second mode is a console mode in which commands received via the user interface are passed by the service processor to the console interface for processing by the host processor. The service processor can be implemented by a dual-ported microcontroller.

Abstract: A processing unit is connectable to a communications network. The processing unit has a data carrier reader operable to read a network identity from a portable data carrier. The processing unit is operable on being powered up to check for the presence of a said data carrier, and when a data carrier is present to use the network identity from the data carrier for communicating via the network. The data carrier can be in the form of a card having readable storage, for example a portable storage device having a readable semiconductor memory of a type know, for example, as a smart card, or memory card. The processing unit may be arranged to use only the network address read from the data carrier, and, in the absence of such a data carrier to prevent access to the network. Access to the network can be achieved by aborting the power up of the processing unit. The processing unit may therefore access the network only when the network address is present in the carrier reader when the processing unit is powered up.

Abstract: A fan control module is provided for a system unit. The fan control module includes power outputs for supplying power to a plurality of fan. It also includes a temperature sensor for giving a temperature signal. It further includes a control unit connected to receive the temperature signal and including preprogrammed control information for determining power signals to be supplied to each of the fan units for controlling the speed thereof. The fan control module can control the fan units in a coordinated manner enabling reliable and effective cooling of the system unit under widely varying parameters. It can mean that existing system components can be employed in harsher temperature environments that they were originally designed for, without needed a complete redesign thereof. The fan control module can be provided with electrical noise isolation circuitry to isolate other components from electrical noise generated by the fan units.

Abstract: A fan control module is provided for a system unit. The fan control module includes power outputs for supplying power to a plurality of fan. It also includes a temperature sensor for giving a temperature signal. It further includes a control unit connected to receive the temperature signal and including preprogrammed control information for determining power signals to be supplied to each of the fan units for controlling the speed thereof. The fan control module can control the fan units in a coordinated manner enabling reliable and effective cooling of the system unit under widely varying parameters. It can mean that existing system components can be employed in harsher temperature environments that they were originally designed for, without needed a complete redesign thereof. The fan control module can be provided with electrical noise isolation circuitry to isolate other components from electrical noise generated by the fan units.