Abstract: Methods and systems for remotely debugging a software program are provided. The methods and systems make use of a debugger application executing on a host computer and configured to communicate with a debugger module executing on a target computer via a distributed computing network, such as the Internet.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for updating firmware on a plurality of networked computing devices via a distributed network. An instruction to update the firmware on a plurality of networked computing devices, such as nodes in a computer cluster, is sent from a manager computer to the computing devices monitoring for instructions. When the instruction is received, the computing devices transition to an operating system independent recovery state, receive a new firmware image over the distributed network, and update the firmware with the new firmware image.

Abstract: A method for updating the firmware of a computing device via a communications network is provided. A client computer having firmware to be updated boots into a preboot execution environment (“PXE”). A broadcast request is transmitted by the PXE that requests the network location of a server computer operative to provide a firmware update program. The broadcast request also requests the name of the firmware update program. Once the response to the broadcast request is received, the client computer transmits a request to the server computer for the firmware update program. The server computer transmits the firmware update program to the client computer. The client computer then executes the firmware update program in the PXE environment.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus enabling the use of server-side entry points when providing diagnostics on-demand services are provided. A request is received at a client computer to perform a diagnostic. In response to the request, an entry point is called on a server computer to retrieve a configuration file identifying one or more additional entry points. One of the entry points identified in the configuration file may be called to obtain authorization to download a diagnostics module to perform the requested diagnostic. Another entry point may be provided at the server computer for actually downloading the requested module. An additional entry point may also be called for obtaining a data file containing instructions regarding the installation of the diagnostics module and other configuration data. Another entry point may be utilized to obtain authorization to execute the diagnostics module and to perform the requested diagnostic.

Abstract: These systems and methods make use of operating system dependent applications that allow remote updates to firmware stored on network attached remote computers. Updates to the remote computers may occur on any computer in the network despite diverse hardware architectures and various operating systems executing between the computers. A command to update the firmware on the remote computers is initiated from a manager utility application operating on a network attached manager computer. The command is then received at an agent application operating on each remote computer. Each agent application monitors command activity via a communication port. Upon determining that the command is valid, each agent application receives an update application and a new firmware file from a network attached computer or data storage and utilizes the update application and the new firmware file to update the firmware of each network attached computer.

Abstract: A method is provided for testing the entire memory address range of memory in a computer system having a Cpu supporting 32-bit or 36-bit memory addressing. If the CPU supports 36-bit addressing a page directory is created containing entries that support accessing the memory according to a maximum page size supported by the processor. If the processor supports 32-bit memory addressing, a page directory and one or more page tables are created for accessing the memory according to a maximum page size supported by the processor. Once the page directory and page tables have been created, they are utilized to access and test a portion of the memory. The page directory and page tables are then dynamically modified to allow access to other portions of the memory.

Abstract: Methods and systems for debugging a software program, such as BIOS is provided. The methods and systems make use of a debugger application executing on a host computer and configured to communicate with a debugger module executing on a target computer via serial/parallel/USB port of host computer, an adapter and the SMBus of the target computer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining the physical address of an allocated and locked memory buffer. An application program may request the allocation of a memory buffer. A virtual memory address for the memory buffer is then returned. The virtual memory address is adjusted to correspond to a page boundary within a physical memory address space. The memory buffer is then locked to the physical memory. A predetermined bit pattern is then written to the memory buffer. A search may then be made of the physical memory for the bit pattern to determine the location within the physical memory address space of the allocated memory buffer. Once the physical address of the memory buffer has been determined, it may be utilized to reference the memory buffer by a program that would not otherwise have access to the virtual address space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing on-demand computer diagnostics are provided. A control object is retrieved and stored at a client computer that is operative to retrieve a diagnostics module in response to a user request. The control object is also operative to receive a request from a user to execute the diagnostics module and, in response to the request, to determine whether execution of the diagnostics module is authorized. If execution is authorized, the control object is further operational to execute the diagnostics module to perform the requested diagnostic. The diagnostics module may be configured to only execute in response to commands issued by the control object. The control object may also be operative to authorize retrieval and execution of the diagnostics module through communications with a diagnostics server computer.

Abstract: A method and data structures for use in providing diagnostics on-demand services are provided. A data structure is provided that identifies one or more server-side entry points for use by a client computer upon which diagnostics on-demand are to be performed. A data structure is also provided that identifies available diagnostics modules, their component files, and that provides installation instructions for use in retrieving and installing diagnostics modules. A method for providing diagnostics on-demand utilizing the data files is also provided.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for performing a diagnostic test on one or more managed system elements. The system includes a managed system element upon which the diagnostic test may be performed, a diagnostic setting object, and a diagnostics control module. The diagnostic setting object is derived from an industry-standard diagnostic setting object prototype and includes one or more properties specified by the prototype and a device-specific settings property identifying one or more settings for the diagnostic test specific to the managed system element. The diagnostics control module performs the diagnostic test on the managed system element and customizes the test according to the device-specific settings property in the diagnostic setting object.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide automated testing of computer-generated displays. The proper functionality of a memory storage device on a computer video card and the proper functionality of software for generating computer-generated displays may be tested by storing a display image to a first memory device context while displaying the same image on a computer screen viewable by a user. The image displayed to the computer screen is captured into a second memory device context. The image in the first memory device context and the memory in the second device context are compared on a pixel-by-pixel basis to determine whether the two stored images match. If the second stored image does not match the first stored image, an indication is presented that the video memory of the computer memory card does not operate properly or that software responsible for displaying the image to the computer display screen is not operating properly.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for retrieving and executing one or more diagnostics modules together capable of testing a single hardware component within a computer system in direct response to a user request. A request is received to perform a diagnostics test on the component. In response to the request, one or more diagnostics modules necessary to test the component are identified. Once the modules have been identified, the modules are retrieved from a remote server computer and installed at the computer system upon which they are to be executed. The modules are then executed, thereby testing the single hardware component. The retrieved diagnostics modules may contain only program code necessary to test the identified component.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for performing a diagnostic test on one or more managed system elements. The system includes a managed system element upon which the diagnostic test may be performed, a diagnostic setting object, and a diagnostics control module. The diagnostic setting object is derived from an industry-standard diagnostic setting object prototype and includes one or more properties specified by the prototype and a device-specific settings property identifying one or more settings for the diagnostic test specific to the managed system element. The diagnostics control module performs the diagnostic test on the managed system element and customizes the test according to the device-specific settings property in the diagnostic setting object.

Abstract: A method is provided for testing the entire memory address range of memory in a computer system having a CPU supporting 32-bit or 36-bit memory addressing. If the CPU supports 32-bit addressing a page directory is created containing entries that support accessing the memory according to a maximum page size supported by the processor. If the processor supports 36-bit memory addressing, a page directory and one or more page tables are created for accessing the memory according to a maximum page size supported by the processor. Once the page directory and page tables have been created, they are utilized to access and test a portion of the memory. The page directory and page tables are then dynamically modified to allow access to other portions of the memory.

Abstract: A cracker having a bread-like taste is formed from a dough for crackers which incorporates an aqueous suspension of a mixture of flour and yeast and a fermented mixture comprising flour and yeast.