Abstract: A system controls operating system images for a group of diskless servers and comprises an operating system builder, an operating system image manager and a run-time configuration and management tool. The operating system builder is configured to create a binary image of an operating system and modify components of the image by automated operation. The binary image is operative as common base operating system image for multiple servers. The operating system image manager discovers and manages a set of diskless servers in conjunction with a server manageability interface and a boot server. The run-time configuration and management tool for the diskless server set is configured for high-availability management, server and application health monitoring, and enforcing a security protocol between a network and a host server and individual diskless servers.

Abstract: A system-event core for monitoring system events in a cellular computer system within a parent computer system is provided. The system-event core comprises: a control register block for each cell computer system configured to mask one or more system events and configurable to be masked by a system-event manager, an input/output block operable to communicate with a computer bus, a register block operable to store data about system events, and interrupt generation logic operable to control interrupts for the cellular computer system.

Abstract: An interface allows communication between a host device coupled to a host bus and a target device coupled to a target bus. First, the interface receives the address of the target device from the host device via the host bus, where the address has a first width. Next, the interface converts the received address from the first width into one or more address components each having a second width. Then, the circuit accesses the target device by driving the one or more address components onto the target bus. Such an interface allows for a simple, direct communication path between the host bus, such as a system bus, and a target bus, such as an LPC bus. The interface consolidates several tasks into one general purpose interface, providing savings in components used, design complexity, and overall cost of implementation. Further, the length of time required for communications between interfaced busses is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A fan controller in one exemplary embodiment facilitates control over a cooling system having fans in a computing apparatus, and permits operating system and application program based software inputs as well as hardware inputs to be utilized in the control of the fans.

Abstract: A component for insertion into a hole in a multiple-layer substrate enables impedance matching of the substrate. The component comprises a conductive ground core arranged to extend through multiple-layers of the substrate when the component is inserted, a dielectric layer laterally encasing the conductive ground core, and a signal conductor layer coupled lateral to the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A firmware selector is provided for a computer that includes a processor. The selector receives the identity of the processor, and in response to the identity, causes the processor to access firmware that corresponds to the processor. Because such a selector can automatically direct the processor to the appropriate firmware when the computer stores multiple firmware, the selector allows a customer to change the processor without requiring him to change the firmware memory or the board on which the firmware memory resides.

Abstract: A method and system for system-management event detection, consolidation, reporting and storage is provided. The method and system may be used in a computer system for above-mentioned purposes. The method and system may be connected to central processing unit through a memory interface. The method and system comprises several system-management event sources that monitor system management events in the computer system. Each system-management-event source is connected to at least one system-management-event node that is in a communication connection with a system-management event-module. Each system-management-event node is operable to detect and transmit data about system-management events to the system-management-event module. The system-management-event module is able to report the occurrence of an event, is able to store data about system-management events and is operable to transmit data about system-management events to the central processing unit.

Abstract: A power distribution system provides power source redundancy. The system includes a bank of loads and first and second groups of power sources. An interconnect arrangement includes a plurality of interconnects that connect each load to one or more sources of both the first and second groups of sources so as to be fully powered by sources of both the first and second groups of sources and such that if any one source or all sources of one of the groups of sources fails, all of the loads remain fully powered.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes a plurality of loads and a plurality of power sources. The power distribution system also includes an interconnect arrangement including a plurality of interconnects. The interconnects connect each load to a given number of different ones of the sources so that each load is fully powered notwithstanding failure of any one of the sources.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention recites a fan cooling system with high availability comprising a first fan coupled with a first motor for creating a first air flow. A second fan is coupled with a second fan motor for creating a second air flow. A duct system conducts the first air flow and the second air flow to at least one heat sink. A control system is coupled with the first fan motor and the second fan motor.

Abstract: A computer system that includes a controller that comprises a failure circuit and a management system is provided. The controller is configured to provide information to the management system at a first time, and the failure circuit is configured to cause the information to be provided to the management system at a second time in response to an acknowledgement from the management system not being receiving.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention recites a fan motor assembly with integrated redundant availability. The fan motor assembly comprises a fan motor subassembly with a first fan motor and a second fan motor, and a fan motor selector mechanism coupled to the fan motor subassembly, so that the fan motor selector mechanism selectively couples the first fan motor or second fan motor to a fan. The fan motor assembly further comprises a control unit coupled to the fan motor selector mechanism, wherein the control unit is configured to control the fan motor selector mechanism such that either of the first fan motor and second fan motor is selectively engaged to said fan.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention recites a fan motor assembly with integrated redundant availability. The fan motor assembly comprises a fan motor subassembly with a plurality of replaceable fan motors, and a fan motor selector mechanism coupled to the fan motor subassembly, so that the fan motor selector mechanism selectively engages one of the plurality of replaceable fan motors to a fan. The fan motor assembly further comprises a control unit which is coupled to the fan motor selector mechanism which is configured to control the fan motor selector mechanism such that a first replaceable fan motor mechanically powers the fan while a second replaceable fan motor can be dynamically removed from the fan motor subassembly.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a server card that is removably insertable into a server chassis. An electronic power switching mechanism is disposed on the server card and is configured to cause three power states of the server card including a fully operational state, a standby state, and a fully shutdown state. In the fully operational state, a system power of the server card is enabled and a standby power of the server card is enabled. In the standby state, a system power of the server card is disabled and the standby power of the server card is enabled. In a shutdown state, the system power of the server card is disabled and the standby power of the server card is disabled.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a power distribution system comprising a first printed circuit board, a power supply, a processor, and a flexible cable connector. Both the power supply and the processor are mounted on the first printed circuit board. The flexible cable connector comprises a first end electrically connected to the processor and a second end electrically connected to the power supply. The flexible cable connector is configured with a length so that the power supply is in a spaced relationship relative to the processor. The flexible connector also extends between the power supply and the processor independent of the first printed circuit board. The flexible cable connector comprises a plurality of insulated power wires and a ground structure. The plurality of insulated power wires are arranged generally parallel to each other extending from the first end to the second end of the flexible cable connector.

Abstract: A power distribution system comprises a flexible power connector, a printed circuit board, a power supply, and a processor mounted on the printed circuit board. The flexible power connector comprises a first end electrically connected to the processor and a second end electrically connected to the power supply. The flexible power connector is configured with a length so that the power supply is in a spaced relationship relative to the processor and the flexible power connector includes a plurality of stacked layers arranged generally parallel to each other for distributed power transmission. These layers include at least two ground layers and at least one power layer. The power layer is sandwiched between two of the at least two ground layers.

Abstract: A value is obtained from one or more values from one or more nested procedures, for a variable that is undefined within one procedure that is nested in one or more nested procedures.

Abstract: A computer program that is executable by a computer system for causing the computer system to detect a character subsequent to a double quote mark and adjacent to a string in a double-quoted portion of a pre-processing directive and replace a constant associated with the pre-processing directive with the string is provided.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a system for power management of a group of computers. The system includes server side infrastructure (SSI) circuitry at each computer in the group and a centralized power management module (CPMM). The SSI circuitry includes local monitoring circuitry coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) of the computer. The CPMM has a management link to the SSI circuitry at each computer in the group. The local circuitry at each computer monitors power consumption at the CPU of that computer and transmits power consumption data to the CPMM. The CPMM applies a set of rules to the power consumption data to determine when and at which computers to enable and disable a CPU power throttling mode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention recites a lightpipe having a major axis, a first end, and a second end. A light emitting feature having a defined surface is located along the length of the lightpipe. The light emitting feature is adapted to transmit electromagnetic energy of a specific visible wavelength of light from inside the lightpipe to outside the lightpipe.