Abstract: A server system having functionality of group alerting is disclosed. Said server system comprises: a plurality of server computers having alert notification capabilities, the plurality of server computers being divided into at least one group; and a management console node managing and monitoring the plurality of server computers; wherein the alert notification is issued by a group of the at least one group of the plurality of server computers when a health problem of a server computer in said group of the at least one group of the plurality of server computers occurs.

Abstract: A method for securing BIOS passwords in a server computer under a BIOS user privilege control operation is disclosed. Said method comprises: a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) of the server computer requesting a BMC (Baseboard Management Controller) to enter a password authentication mode for user privilege authentication; the BMC receiving passwords inputted by a user and comparing the inputted passwords with valid passwords, wherein the valid passwords are stored in the BMC; the BMC deciding an authentication result after the comparing the inputted passwords with the stored valid passwords and saving the authentication result; and the BMC exiting the password authentication mode and notifying the BIOS of the authentication result; wherein the BMC passes fake scan codes of key strings of the inputted passwords to the BIOS, such that the BIOS does not have access to the actual passwords.

Abstract: A method for securing BIOS passwords in a server computer under a BIOS user privilege control operation is disclosed. Said method comprises: a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) of the server computer requesting a BMC (Baseboard Management Controller) to enter a password authentication mode for user privilege authentication; the BMC receiving passwords inputted by a user and comparing the inputted passwords with valid passwords, wherein the valid passwords are stored in the BMC; the BMC deciding an authentication result after the comparing the inputted passwords with the stored valid passwords and saving the authentication result; and the BMC exiting the password authentication mode and notifying the BIOS of the authentication result; wherein the BMC passes fake scan codes of key strings of the inputted passwords to the BIOS, such that the BIOS does not have access to the actual passwords.

Abstract: A server system having functionality of group alerting is disclosed. Said server system comprises: a plurality of server computers having alert notification capabilities, the plurality of server computers being divided into at least one group; and a management console node managing and monitoring the plurality of server computers; wherein the alert notification is issued by a group of the at least one group of the plurality of server computers when a health problem of a server computer in said group of the at least one group of the plurality of server computers occurs.

Abstract: A server having remote peripheral device access functions for accessing different types of peripheral devices located on a remote host, such as USB, SATA and IDE devices. The remote device access function is implemented in the IPMI section of the server. The IPMI section is connected to a bridge of the server, and communicates with the bridge using a single predetermined communication protocol, such as the PCI protocol, regardless of the type of the peripheral devices being remotely accessed. An application on the remote host communicates with the IPMI section of the server to transmit the data generate by or to be consumed by the peripheral device using a predetermined network protocol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to techniques for updating a BIOS image stored in a computer system. The BIOS image is stored in a flash memory and updated over an embedded system, such as a baseboard management controller (BMC). In one embodiment, a method for updating a BIOS image on a computer system includes receiving, by a service processor, an updated BIOS image over a communications channel, moving a current BIOS image from a first storage location to a second storage location, moving the updated BIOS image to the first storage location, receiving, from a chipset coupled to the service processor, a request to access the BIOS image on the server system, and directing, by the service processor, the request to access the BIOS image to the BIOS image in the second storage location.

Abstract: An improved remote USB access method allows a local host to access USB devices on a remote host in a manner that reduces network traffic in certain situations. When the local host copies a file from a USB device A to a USB device B both located on the remote host, the operation is initially handled in a conventional manner by which data is transferred from device A to the local host over the network, and then from the local host to device B over the network. The remote host is provided with an ability to detect such an operation as a special case where the data transfer from the local host to device A is unnecessary. Thus, the remote host copies the data from device A to device B, and notifies the local host to stop the network data transfer from the local host to device B.

Abstract: A server having remote peripheral device access functions for accessing different types of peripheral devices located on a remote host, such as USB, SATA and IDE devices. The remote device access function is implemented in the IPMI section of the server. The IPMI section is connected to a bridge of the server, and communicates with the bridge using a single predetermined communication protocol, such as the PCI protocol, regardless of the type of the peripheral devices being remotely accessed. An application on the remote host communicates with the IPMI section of the server to transmit the data generate by or to be consumed by the peripheral device using a predetermined network protocol.

Abstract: A power management system used to control a computer system. The power management system includes a general purpose input/output (GPIO) pin, a power control chip, and a controller. The GPIO pin outputs a power control signal. The power control chip receives the power control signal to power on or off the computer system. The controller controls the GPIO pin output the power control signal, sets the GPIO pin as an output pin while the GPIO pin outputs the power control signal, and then sets the GPIO pin as an input pin after the GPIO pin outputs the power control signal.

Abstract: An improved remote USB access method allows a local host to access USB devices on a remote host in a manner that reduces network traffic in certain situations. When the local host copies a file from a USB device A to a USB device B both located on the remote host, the operation is initially handled in a conventional manner by which data is transferred from device A to the local host over the network, and then from the local host to device B over the network. The remote host is provided with an ability to detect such an operation as a special case where the data transfer from the local host to device A is unnecessary. Thus, the remote host copies the data from device A to device B, and notifies the local host to stop the network data transfer from the local host to device B.

Abstract: A firmware update method and a system using the same are provided. The firmware update system comprises a device, a storage unit comprising a boot block code, and a network interface controller. When the system boots, the device executes the boot clock code, and determines whether an update alert exists. When the system boots, the network interface controller connects to a web server via Internet, downloads firmware from the web server, and generates the update alert after the firmware is downloaded. In response to the update alert, the device selects the firmware to be updated as an active code to the storage unit. The systems reboots after the firmware is updated to the device.

Abstract: Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) systems are disclosed, in which a baseboard management controller (BMC) is coupled to a first memory device and a server system, such that the BMC accesses the first memory device to provide a first set of functions and accesses a second memory device from the server system to provide a second set of functions.

Abstract: Sensor process management methods and systems are provided. Firstly, a sensor identification and a specific identification are received from a SDR (Sensor Data Record). The specific identification corresponds to one of the multiple sensor modes of a sensor. Then, a ProbeInfo table element is selected according to the sensor identification, and a driver identification is obtained from the selected ProbeInfo table element. Sequentially, a driver corresponding to the driver identification is activated according to the specific identification, and a process is performed under the sensor mode corresponding to the specific identification by the driver.

Abstract: User message management methods and systems for use in an IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) system. A BMC (Baseboard Management Controller) receives a request to access a user message list in a storage unit from a console. The BMC performs operations by accessing at least one user message in the user message list based on the request.