Abstract: An IC structure includes a transistor, a source/drain contact, a metal oxide layer, a non-metal oxide layer, a barrier structure, and a via. The transistor includes a gate structure and source/drain regions on opposite sides of the gate structure. The source/drain contact is over one of the source/drain regions. The metal oxide layer is over the source/drain contact. The non-metal oxide layer is over the metal oxide layer. The barrier structure is over the source/drain contact. The barrier structure forms a first interface with the metal oxide layer and a second interface with the non-metal oxide layer, and the second interface is laterally offset from the first interface. The via extends through the non-metal oxide layer to the barrier structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming liner-free or barrier-free conductive structures. The method includes depositing an etch stop layer on a cobalt contact disposed on a substrate, depositing a dielectric on the etch stop layer, etching the dielectric and the etch stop layer to form an opening that exposes a top surface of the cobalt contact, and etching the exposed top surface of the cobalt contact to form a recess in the cobalt contact extending laterally under the etch stop layer. The method further includes depositing a ruthenium metal to substantially fill the recess and the opening, and annealing the ruthenium metal to form an oxide layer between the ruthenium metal and the dielectric.

Abstract: A multiple storage node system including a first and second node is provided. The first node includes a first baseboard management controller (BMC), a first flash ROM configured to store a first flash image, and a first switch device configured to connect the first BMC to the first flash ROM. The second node includes an exact configuration of the first node. The first BMC is connected to the second switch device, and the second flash image is the same as the first flash.

Abstract: A system and method for providing efficient communication between a processor and a device. An interposer is provided to send signals from the processor to the device. The interposer includes a printed circuit board, a first interconnection port communicating with the processor, and a second interconnection port communicating with the device. A retimer/redriver circuit is coupled to the first interconnection port and the second interconnection port, and the retimer/redriver circuit routes signals from the first interconnection port to the second interconnection port.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a control bifurcation signal in accordance with the Open Compute Project (OCP) Specification. An OCP device is provided that has a bifurcation function with an input to activate a bus bifurcation function. An input/output control circuit having an output coupled to a bifurcation control line coupled to the OCP device is provided. The input/output control circuit is operable to provide a bifurcation control signal to the OCP device over the bifurcation control line during an auxiliary power phase transition period of powering-on the OCP device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for preserving data in memory modules of a computer system. An exemplary method can detect that a software preservation process is needed for a computer system, and thereafter performs the software preservation process. The software preservation process can begin by detecting the initiation of a reduced power mode in a computer system. A syncing process of data contents can then be initiated in a processing unit of the computer system. Next, the computer system can automatically save data contents of a memory module. The software preservation process is completed by turning off a power supply unit of the computer system.

Abstract: An electronic device including a housing configured to house one or more electronic components, an air filter, a fan disposed within the housing, and an air pressure sensor disposed within the housing is disclosed. The air filter is disposed within an air inlet defined by the housing. The fan is configured to cause air to enter the housing via the air inlet such that the air flows through the air filter and within the housing. The air pressure sensor generates data used to determine air pressure values within the housing that are based at least in part on the air flowing through the air filter and within the housing. Based on the determined air pressure values from the air pressure sensor, a status of the air filter can be determined, and an indication that the air filter is in need of replacement can be generated and transmitted to a user.

Abstract: Various examples of the present disclosure provide a multi-node fan control switch and systems and methods for controlling one or more cooling fans of a node using a fan control switch and a specific controller (e.g., BMC or a specific processor) of the node. The node also includes a watch dog circuit. The watch dog circuit can monitor health of the specific controller and, in response to determining that the specific controller has failed, enable the fan control switch to an external mode to allow a controller of a neighboring node in the rack system to control the one or more cooling fans of the node.

Abstract: A multiple storage node system including a first and second node is provided. The first node includes a first baseboard management controller (BMC), a first flash ROM configured to store a first flash image, and a first switch device configured to connect the first BMC to the first flash ROM. The second node includes an exact configuration of the first node. The first BMC is connected to the second switch device, and the second flash image is the same as the first flash.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for controlling a plurality of cooling fan modules using a management controller and a multiplex switch. The multiplex switch connects the management controller to the plurality of cooling fan modules. The multiplex switch can enable the management controller to select a specific cooling fan module from the plurality of cooling fan modules. Once the specific cooling fan module is selected, the multiplex switch can connect to the specific cooling fan module, enable the management controller to monitor operating characteristics of the specific cooling fan module, and control power or current being delivered to the specific cooling fan module.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamic reconfiguration of at least one peripheral bus switch of a system includes a management controller that detects whether a server system is connected to each peripheral bus slot of the system. The management controller selects a peripheral bus switch topology for the at least one peripheral bus switch, based on the detecting. The management controller sets each port of the at least one peripheral bus switch to either an upstream port configuration or a downstream port configuration, based on the peripheral bus switch topology.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for controlling a plurality of cooling fan modules using a management controller and a multiplex switch. The multiplex switch connects the management controller to the plurality of cooling fan modules. The multiplex switch can enable the management controller to select a specific cooling fan module from the plurality of cooling fan modules. Once the specific cooling fan module is selected, the multiplex switch can connect to the specific cooling fan module, enable the management controller to monitor operating characteristics of the specific cooling fan module, and control power or current being delivered to the specific cooling fan module.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for preserving data in memory modules of a computer system. An exemplary method can detect that a software preservation process is needed for a computer system, and thereafter performs the software preservation process. The software preservation process can begin by detecting the initiation of a reduced power mode in a computer system. A syncing process of data contents can then be initiated in a processing unit of the computer system. Next, the computer system can automatically save data contents of a memory module. The software preservation process is completed by turning off a power supply unit of the computer system.

Abstract: Various examples of the present disclosure provide a multi-node fan control switch and systems and methods for controlling one or more cooling fans of a node using a fan control switch and a specific controller (e.g., BMC or a specific processor) of the node. The node also includes a watch dog circuit. The watch dog circuit can monitor health of the specific controller and, in response to determining that the specific controller has failed, enable the fan control switch to an external mode to allow a controller of a neighboring node in the rack system to control the one or more cooling fans of the node.

Abstract: A system includes a rear panel of a housing that includes a first compartment and a second compartment. The system further includes a first module of a first type coupled to the first compartment and a second module of a second type coupled to the second compartment. The first compartment is configured to couple to modules of the first type and the second type, and the second compartment is configured to couple to modules of the first type and the second type.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for flexible non-volatile memory express drive management can include a first controller including a first drive register and a second drive register, a first processor communicatively coupled with the first drive register via a first serial bus, and a second processor communicatively coupled with the second drive register via a second serial bus. The system can also include a first set of non-volatile memory express drives communicatively coupled with the first processor via the first drive register, and a second set of non-volatile memory express drives communicatively coupled with the second processor via the second drive register and the second serial bus.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for flexible non-volatile memory express drive management can include a first controller including a first drive register and a second drive register, a first processor communicatively coupled with the first drive register via a first serial bus, and a second processor communicatively coupled with the second drive register via a second serial bus. The system can also include a first set of non-volatile memory express drives communicatively coupled with the first processor via the first drive register, and a second set of non-volatile memory express drives communicatively coupled with the second processor via the second drive register and the second serial bus.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamic reconfiguration of at least one peripheral bus switch of a system includes a management controller that detects whether a server system is connected to each peripheral bus slot of the system. The management controller selects a peripheral bus switch topology for the at least one peripheral bus switch, based on the detecting. The management controller sets each port of the at least one peripheral bus switch to either an upstream port configuration or a downstream port configuration, based on the peripheral bus switch topology.

Abstract: A system includes a rear panel of a housing that includes a first compartment and a second compartment. The system further includes a first module of a first type coupled to the first compartment and a second module of a second type coupled to the second compartment. The first compartment is configured to couple to modules of the first type and the second type, and the second compartment is configured to couple to modules of the first type and the second type.