Abstract: Disclosed is a printed circuit board that includes selectable structures for attenuating EMI/RFI of replaceable components. In one preferred embodiment, the printed circuit board has a power plane that is subdivided into a plurality of power islands, a ground plane, a plurality of bypass capacitors, and a connector mounted on the printed circuit board for receiving electrical components. Each bypass capacitor is connected between the ground plane and an associated one of the power islands. The connector is connected to at least two selected power island, and the selected power islands are arranged such that when a first electrical component is inserted into the connector, a first one of the selected power islands is automatically connected to a power supply pin of the first electrical component to facilitate attenuation of electromagnetic interference generated by the first electrical component in a first frequency band.

Abstract: A network interface card in a networked client computer includes a network interface circuit that decodes and then compares incoming network packet addresses to known address bit patterns, the decoding and comparing circuitry being powered at all times. Receipt and recognition of certain addresses means the client computer must be powered-on, even if manually switched OFF. When such a server-transmitted address is recognized, a power-on signal is issued to a power control unit that causes full operating power to be coupled to the client computer. In this fashion, a server can broadcast power-on signals to a plurality of networked client computers or workstations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for controlling a power shutdown of an electrical device. The operations for controlling a power shutdown include determining a value MAX indicating a maximum number of safe power-on transitions that could have been experienced by the electrical device prior to a specified date. In addition, a threshold value P indicating a number of permissible power-on transitions prior to the specified date is determined from the value MAX. A value N indicating a number of power-on transitions that have occurred prior to the specified date is then determined. The power shutdown is inhibited if the value N is greater than the threshold value P, and otherwise allowed.

Abstract: A network interface card in a networked client computer includes a network interface circuit that decodes and then compares incoming network packet addresses to known address bit patterns, the decoding and comparing circuitry being powered at all time. Receipt and recognition of certain addresses means the client computer must be powered-on, even if manually switched OFF. When such a server-transmitted address is recognized, a power-on signal is issued to a power control unit that causes full operating power to be coupled to the client computer. In this fashion, a server can broadcast power-on signals to a plurality of networked client computers or workstations.

Abstract: A network interface card in a networked client computer includes a network interface circuit that decodes and then compares incoming network packet addresses to known address bit patterns, the decoding and comparing circuitry being powered at all times. Receipt and recognition of certain addresses means the client computer must be powered-on, even if manually switched OFF. When such a server-transmitted address is recognized, a power-on signal is issued to a power control unit that causes full operating power to be coupled to the client computer. In this fashion, a server can broadcast power-on signals to a plurality of networked client computers or workstations.