Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an Emergency Alert System (EAS) display controller. The EAS display controller includes: (a) a processor, (b) a network interface controller configurable to be in communication with an out-of-band network, (c) a communication-interface controller configurable to be in communication with a signage device and in compliance with a control standard, a memory storing firmware. The firmware is configured to, when executed by the processor, (a) establish an out-of-band communication channel with at least one EAS message source, (b) receive an EAS message from the at least one EAS message source through the out-of-band channel, (c) extract an alert message from the EAS message, (d) construct a signage device control command in accordance with the control standard, and (e) send the command to the signage device to instruct the signage device to display the alert message.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods of managing and delivering digital media content data. In certain embodiments, a management device in communication to a computing device via a universal serial bus (USB) connector is provided. The management device has a processor, a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory includes a first partition storing a firmware and a second partition. When executed at the processor, the firmware emulates an emulated bootable storage device for the computing device at the USB connector. In response to an access instruction from the computing device to access data stored at an emulated address of the emulated bootable storage device, the management device converts the emulated address to a physical address of the second partition, and accesses the data at the physical address. The data includes digital media content data and a control module configured to play the content data.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a predicative power management system configured to adjust computer CPU clock rate by a computer user to conserve energy based on user category. In certain embodiments, the predicative power management system includes (a) a computer user profile creator module, and (b) a power management module. The computer user profile creator module is used to create computer usage profiles and each of the computer usage profiles has a profileID for a computer user with a computer userID. The power management module is used to set and adjust computer CPU clock rate, CPU voltage and device states based on computer users' category and the computer user's computer usage profile.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a system for replicating BIOS setting data (BIOSSD) across computers. The system includes a plurality of computers, and each computer is connected to a service processor (SP). Each computer includes a BIOS chip, which stores a first BIOSSD collection. The SP stores a second BIOSSD collection. When the first BIOSSD collection is newer, the SP receives a copy of the first BIOSSD collection from the computer to replace the second BIOSSD collection. When the second BIOSSD collection is newer, the SP transmits a copy of the second BIOSSD collection to the computer to replace the first BIOSSD collection in the BIOS chip. A remote management may request and obtain from the SP the updated second BIOSSD collection such that the remote management computer may send the copy the updated second BIOSSD collection to other SP's for update.

Abstract: Certain aspects direct to systems and methods to perform service processor (SP) initiated data transaction with a host computer utilizing power off commands. In certain embodiments, the system includes a SP, which includes a processor, a non-volatile memory and a communication interface. The SP generates a first power off command for a data transaction purpose, and sends the first power off command to the host computer to initiate a data transaction. The OS, in response to the first power off command, calls an Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) Machine Language (AML) code, which execute a system management interface (SMI) handler at the CPU to enter a system management mode (SMM). The SMI handler then sends a notification to the SP via the communication interface. In response to receiving the notification from the SMI handler, the SP starts performing the data transaction with the host computer.

Abstract: Certain aspects direct to systems and methods to perform service processor (SP) initiated data transaction with a host computer utilizing interrupts. In certain embodiments, the system includes a SP, which includes a processor, a non-volatile memory and a communication interface. The SP generates a first system management interface (SMI) message, and sends the first SMI message to the host computer to initiate a data transaction. The OS, in response to the first SMI message, execute a SMI handler in a system management random access memory (SMRAM) area at the CPU to enter a system management mode (SMM). The SMI handler then sends the notification to the SP via the communication interface. In response to receiving the notification from the SMI handler, the SP starts performing the data transaction with the host computer.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system includes a service processor (SP), having a processor, a non-volatile memory and a communication interface. The SP receives a component information of components of a host computer from a basic input/output system (BIOS) being executed at a central processing unit (CPU) of the host computer through the communication interface, and stores the received component information in the non-volatile memory. When the SP receives a managing instruction from a remote management computer to change the component information of at least one designated component of the components of the host computer, the SP updates the corresponding component information stored in the non-volatile memory based on the managing instruction. Once the component information is updated, the SP may, in response to receiving the component information from the BIOS, send the updated component information back to the host computer through the communication interface.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system includes a service processor (SP), having a processor, a non-volatile memory and a communication interface. The SP receives a component information of components of a host computer from a basic input/output system (BIOS) being executed at a central processing unit (CPU) of the host computer through the communication interface, and stores the received component information in the non-volatile memory. When the SP receives an instruction to display a physical layout of the components of the host computer, the SP retrieves the component information for each of the components stored in the non-volatile memory, and generates corresponding display information for each of the components based on the retrieved component information. Then the SP may send the display information to a remote management computer to display a graphical diagram of the physical layout on a display device at the remote management computer.

Abstract: Certain aspects direct to systems and methods of BIOS failover update with a service processor (SP) having direct serial peripheral interface (SPI) access to a basic input/output system (BIOS) chip of a host computer. In certain embodiments, the SP receives a failover backup image from a BIOS being executed at a CPU of the host computer through a system interface, and stores the failover backup image in the volatile memory. Then the SP monitors operation of the BIOS by receiving, from the BIOS, a notification signal. When the SP detects an error in the operation of the BIOS based on the notification signal, the SP sends a copy of the failover backup image to the BIOS chip of the host computer through the SPI to replace a current BIOS image stored in the BIOS chip of the host computer with the copy of the failover backup image.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a computer system, including: a hypervisor configured to run on a CPU and to provide a first domain; and a virtual baseboard management controller (BMC) stack configured to run in the first domain or as part of the hypervisor. Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions executable by at least one processor, the instructions including loading a virtual baseboard management controller (BMC) stack in a first domain of, or as a part of, a hypervisor running on the processor.

Abstract: In certain aspects, a system for out-of-band configuring BIOS setting data (BIOSSD) includes a host computer and a service processor (SP). The SP stores a BIOSSD collection and a human interface data (HID) collection. The HID collection includes questions for data of the BIOSSD collection and corresponding options for each question. When a remote management computer sends to the SP an information request, the SP retrieves the HID collection and transmits the questions and the corresponding options to the remote management computer. In response to a command indicating a selected corresponding option, the SP changes corresponding data of the BIOSSD collection according to the command. When the BIOS executed at the host computer issues a BIOSSD update request to the SP, the SP transmits a copy of the BIOSSD collection to the BIOS chip of the host computer to replace the BIOSSD collection stored in the BIOS chip.

Abstract: Certain aspects direct to BIOS update with a service processor (SP) without access through a serial peripheral interface (SPI). In certain embodiments, the system includes a SP, which includes a processor, a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory and a system interface. The SP receives a BIOS image from a remote management computer, and stores the BIOS image in the volatile memory. When the SP receives, from a BIOS executed at a central processing unit (CPU) of a host computer through the system interface, a request for the BIOS image, the SP sends a copy of the BIOS image in response to the request for the BIOS image to the host computer through the system interface such that the BIOS executed at the CPU of the host computer replaces a current BIOS image stored in a BIOS chip with the copy of the BIOS image.

Abstract: Certain aspects direct to systems and methods of BIOS failover update with a service processor (SP) having direct serial peripheral interface (SPI) access to a basic input/output system (BIOS) chip of a host computer. In certain embodiments, the SP receives a failover backup image from a BIOS being executed at a CPU of the host computer through a system interface, and stores the failover backup image in the volatile memory. Then the SP monitors operation of the BIOS by receiving, from the BIOS, a notification signal. When the SP detects an error in the operation of the BIOS based on the notification signal, the SP sends a copy of the failover backup image to the BIOS chip of the host computer through the SPI to replace a current BIOS image stored in the BIOS chip of the host computer with the copy of the failover backup image.

Abstract: Certain aspects direct to basic input/output system (BIOS) failover update with a service processor (SP). In certain embodiments, the system includes a host computer and a SP. A CPU of the host computer loads and executes a current BIOS image stored in a BIOS chip to a memory as a BIOS instance. The SP receives, from the executed BIOS instance at the host computer, a BIOS image as a failover backup image, and stores the failover backup image in the volatile memory of the SP. When an error occurs at the host computer, the executed BIOS instance sends a request for the failover backup image to the SP. In response, the SP sends a copy of the failover backup image to the host computer such that the executed BIOS instance may replace the current BIOS image stored in the BIOS chip with the copy of the failover backup image.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method of performing a virtual media redirection. The method includes: (a) establishing a Web Socket connection between a web server of a baseboard management controller (BMC) and a browser program of a computing device in a network, the BMC performing a management function of a host computer; (b) emulating, at the BMC, virtual media to the host computer; (c) receiving, at the BMC, a read command from the host computer and directed to the emulated virtual media, the read command specifying a first file; (d) in response to the read command, sending, at the BMC, a request for the first file according to the read command to the browser program through the Web Socket connection; and (e) receiving, at the web server, the first file from the browser program through the Web Socket connection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a predicative power management system configured to adjust computer CPU clock rate by a computer user to conserve energy based on user category. In certain embodiments, the predicative power management system includes (a) a computer user profile creator module, and (b) a power management module. The computer user profile creator module is used to create computer usage profiles and each of the computer usage profiles has a profileID for a computer user with a computer userID. The power management module is used to set and adjust computer CPU clock rate, CPU voltage and device states based on computer users' category and the computer user's computer usage profile.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure relate to a system and method for performing intelligent virtual desktop infrastructure (iVDI) using volatile memory arrays. The system has a hypervisor server and a storage server in communication via a file sharing protocol. A random access memory (RAM) disk is launched on a volatile memory array using a RAM disk driver. The RAM disk driver then assigns local and remote storages of the storage server as primary and secondary backup storages for the RAM disk. A group of virtual machine (VM) images is deployed to the RAM disk, and deduplication is performed on the VM images to release some memory space of the RAM disk. The deploying and deduplicating of the VM images continues repeatedly until the RAM disk is almost full. Then, the VM images in the RAM disk are copied to the backup storages as backup copies.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a system for replicating BIOS setting data (BIOSSD) across computers. The system includes a plurality of computers, and each computer is connected to a service processor (SP). Each computer includes a BIOS chip, which stores a first BIOSSD collection. The SP stores a second BIOSSD collection. When the first BIOSSD collection is newer, the SP receives a copy of the first BIOSSD collection from the computer to replace the second BIOSSD collection. When the second BIOSSD collection is newer, the SP transmits a copy of the second BIOSSD collection to the computer to replace the first BIOSSD collection in the BIOS chip. A remote management may request and obtain from the SP the updated second BIOSSD collection such that the remote management computer may send the copy the updated second BIOSSD collection to other SP's for update.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for providing a common management console for managing the pre- and post-operating system operation of a computer system are provided. The method includes: receiving, at a management appliance, first and second requests from one or more remote management consoles to manage first and second server computers, respectively; receiving first and second remote console data formatted according to first and second remote console protocols from the first and second server computers, respectively; converting, at the management appliance, the received first and second remote console data to first and second converted remote console data, respectively, in a common format in accordance with a common protocol capable of expressing the first and second remote console protocols; and transmitting the first and second converted remote console data in the common format to the remote management console for display.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an Emergency Alert System (EAS) display controller. The EAS display controller includes: (a) a processor, (b) a network interface controller configurable to be in communication with an out-of-band network, (c) a communication-interface controller configurable to be in communication with a signage device and in compliance with a control standard, a memory storing firmware. The firmware is configured to, when executed by the processor, (a) establish an out-of-band communication channel with at least one EAS message source, (b) receive an EAS message from the at least one EAS message source through the out-of-band channel, (c) extract an alert message from the EAS message, (d) construct a signage device control command in accordance with the control standard, and (e) send the command to the signage device to instruct the signage device to display the alert message.