Abstract: Methods and systems for managing the operation of host devices is disclosed. A host device may include a computing device that operates in accordance with operation data. The operation data may include, for example, startup data such as code for a management entity (e.g., a basic input output system), settings (e.g., hardware and/or software) for the startup management entity, setting for general operation after booting to an operating system, copies of code (e.g., computer instructions executable with a processor) for applications to be executed by the host device, etc. If the operation data is modified, operation of the host device may be similarly modified.

Abstract: An information handling system may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, a storage resource, and a basic input/output system (BIOS). The BIOS may be configured to, while the information handling system is in a pre-boot environment and prior to initialization of an operating system of the information handling system: establish a communication session with a remote information handling system; and in response to authentication of the communication session, transmit data to the remote information handling system that is operable to expose a partition of the storage resource to the remote information handling system.