Abstract: A process for configuring hardware in a network environment, comprising retrieving a catalog index using a processor, selecting a catalog for a new hardware component, selecting a plurality of software applications for the new hardware product from the catalog, determining a context for the new hardware component, wherein the context identifies one or more variable parameters for one or more of a plurality of software applications and installing the plurality of software applications on the hardware product as a function of the context.

Abstract: Applying failure policy during updating of components, including receiving metadata of each of the components, the metadata indicating a respective classification of each of the components; sorting the components based on the metadata, including identifying a first subset of the components as critical components and a second subset of the components as non-critical components; receiving a first update package for a first component; detecting a failure to apply the first update package to the first component; in response to detecting the failure to apply the first update package to the first component: determining that the first component belongs to the first subset of components; in response to determining that the first component belongs to the first subset of components, identifying a remediation policy associated with critical components; applying the remediation policy to the first component, including rollback of the first update package at the first component.

Abstract: Applying failure policy during updating of components, including receiving metadata of each of the components, the metadata indicating a respective classification of each of the components; sorting the components based on the metadata, including identifying a first subset of the components as critical components and a second subset of the components as non-critical components; receiving a first update package for a first component; detecting a failure to apply the first update package to the first component; in response to detecting the failure to apply the first update package to the first component: determining that the first component belongs to the first subset of components; in response to determining that the first component belongs to the first subset of components, identifying a remediation policy associated with critical components; applying the remediation policy to the first component, including rollback of the first update package at the first component.

Abstract: Managing IP address detection, including obtaining, by system management console that manages multiple computing systems, a media access control (MAC) address of each of the computing systems from a respective baseboard management controller (BMC) of each of the computing systems; storing a database table indicating the MAC address for each of the computing systems; identifying, from a host network, messages directed to the computing systems; obtaining, from each of the messages, a MAC address associated with the message; comparing the MAC address for a particular message with the MAC addresses stored by the database table for each of the computing systems; determining whether the MAC address for the particular message is associated with a particular computing system; when it is determined that the MAC address for the particular message is associated with a computing system, providing the IP address indicated by the message to the BMC of the computing system.

Abstract: A system and a method of updating a computing device of an information handling system (IHS), including identifying a reboot of the IHS; determining whether the reboot of the IHS is classified as a normal reboot of the IHS or is classified as a failure-reboot of the IHS; when it is determined that the reboot of IHS is classified as a failure-reboot of the IHS: obtaining an activation time period of a scheduled update to the computing device; obtaining a current date and time of the IHS; determining whether the current date and time of the IHS is within the activation time period of the scheduled update to the computing device; and when it is determined that the current date and time is within the activation time period of the scheduled update, transferring update firmware to the computing device for activation at the computing device.

Abstract: An operating system (OS) may communicate with a basic input/output system (BIOS) at OS runtime to inform the BIOS of a firmware update storage location. A method may begin with receiving, by an OS, an update for a firmware of an information handling system. The OS may select a memory for storage of the firmware update and may store the firmware update in the selected memory. The OS may then store a location of the firmware update in a portion of a memory accessible by both the OS and the BIOS.

Abstract: A process for configuring hardware in a network environment, comprising retrieving a catalog index using a processor, selecting a catalog for a new hardware component, selecting a plurality of software applications for the new hardware product from the catalog, determining a context for the new hardware component, wherein the context identifies one or more variable parameters for one or more of a plurality of software applications and installing the plurality of software applications on the hardware product as a function of the context.

Abstract: An operating system (OS) may communicate with a basic input/output system (BIOS) at OS runtime to inform the BIOS of a firmware update storage location. A method may begin with receiving, by an OS, an update for a firmware of an information handling system. The OS may select a memory for storage of the firmware update and may store the firmware update in the selected memory. The OS may then store a location of the firmware update in a portion of a memory accessible by both the OS and the BIOS.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and processor-readable storage media for out-of-band management security analysis and monitoring are provided herein. An example computer-implemented method includes generating control state configuration profiles for hardware components of at least one out-of-band server management controller, collecting data from the at least one out-of-band management controller via one or more interfaces, analyzing the collected data by comparing the collected data to the one or more control state configuration profiles and applying at least one rule-based engine to the collected data, and generating a notification of one or more security vulnerabilities associated with the at least one out-of-band server management controller based at least in part on the analyzing of the collected data, wherein the notification is to be utilized in connection with one or more security-related actions on at least a portion of at least one server.

Abstract: An information handling system includes product lifecycle management circuitry and a management controller. The product lifecycle management circuitry receives an indication that a first firmware update package is to be demoted, starts a demotion process for the first firmware update package, and removes the first firmware update package from being available on an Internet website. The management controller extracts a first identifier for the first firmware update package, determines a first context in which the first firmware update package is being demoted, and publishes the first identifier and the first context in an exclusion catalog.

Abstract: A serial attached small computer system interface system improves shared device firmware version consistency. The system includes servers connected to one of a plurality of controllers, and an expander connected to each of the controllers. A shared device connected to the expander receives a command from a server to be executed at the shared device, and transmits a first broadcast asynchronous event to the expander. The shared device is a serial attached small computer system interface target, and the first broadcast asynchronous event identifies a configuration change in the serial attached small computer system interface target. The expander, in response to receiving the first broadcast asynchronous event, transmits a second broadcast asynchronous event to the controllers.

Abstract: An information handling system includes product lifecycle management circuitry and a management controller. The product lifecycle management circuitry receives an indication that a first firmware update package is to be demoted, starts a demotion process for the first firmware update package, and removes the first firmware update package from being available on an Internet website. The management controller extracts a first identifier for the first firmware update package, determines a first context in which the first firmware update package is being demoted, and publishes the first identifier and the first context in an exclusion catalog.