Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented to manage machine-specific System Profile Unique Data (SPUD) information for one or more information handling systems. Such SPUD information may be managed and transported through in-band and/or out-of-band processing and communications, and may be employed to make restoration of machine-specific data possible either through network data communications and/or local system data communications.

Abstract: Systems and methods that may be implemented to provide a plug-in architecture framework to allow extension of server management functionalities in a unified extension firmware interface (“UEFI”) environment using available remote access controller memory space. The disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to provide a hardware and software interface to allow use of a plug-in framework in the embedded system management that may be run under the BIOS firmware and the UEFI environment. The disclosed systems and methods may also be implemented to provide a server management architecture that may be modified and enhanced over time, and/or that may also be employed to extend availability of the server management framework to third parties, as well as to extend support to original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) servers.

Abstract: Systems and methods that may be implemented to provide a plug-in architecture framework to allow extension of server management functionalities in a unified extension firmware interface (“UEFI”) environment using available remote access controller memory space. The disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to provide a hardware and software interface to allow use of a plug-in framework in the embedded system management that may be run under the BIOS firmware and the UEFI environment. The disclosed systems and methods may also be implemented to provide a server management architecture that may be modified and enhanced over time, and/or that may also be employed to extend availability of the server management framework to third parties, as well as to extend support to original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) servers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented for out-of-band backup and/or restore of information handling system components. Such out-of-band backup and restore operations may be performed, in one embodiment, to backup and/or restore hardware profile information such as firmware images and corresponding system configuration information.

Abstract: A system and method for deployment of a software image to a plurality of target devices are disclosed. A method may include communicatively coupling a root node device to a plurality of internal node devices, and communicatively coupling a plurality of leaf node devices to the root node devices and the internal node devices. The root node device may transmit a software image from the root node device to at least two of the internal node devices, and each internal node device may transmit the software image to at least one other internal node device or leaf node device.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for the uniform installation of one or more of a plurality of heterogeneous operating systems (operating systems) on a predetermined information handling system. A common preinstallation environment (CPE) is implemented, comprising a host preinstallation environment (HPE) and one or more native preinstallation environments (NPEs). If an NPE is not required for installation, an HPE comprising a common, bootable kernel generates a bootable operating system image that is installed on the target system. Otherwise, the HPE creates a deployment partition, where it implements the NPE and generates a metafile describing the hardware drivers supported by the NPE. The HPE then inventories the hardware components comprising the target system and compares the results to the metafile. If all required drivers are accessible, the target system boots to the NPE, which begins native installation of the chosen operating system.

Abstract: Remote RAID system configuration may be implemented in an embedded and out-of-band manner using an information handling system configured, for example, as a RAID server. The remote RAID configuration may be implement, for example, on a RAID server system in the condition as it is supplied directly out-of-the-box to a user without requiring downloading of any additional software or firmware, without requiring presence of a management framework and plug in, and/or in a manner that is operating system (OS)-independent or that requires no OS to be present on the server.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a processor, a memory device coupled to the processor, and a dedicated system service repository (DSSR) coupled to the processor. The DSSR is configured to store a base image that includes a plurality of partitions and a first system configuration image, wherein the first system configuration image is stored in a first partition of the plurality of partitions, wherein the first system configuration image is configured to provide in-band and/or out-of-band managed access to the DSSR when executed; and by accessing the first system configuration image, the DSSR is populated with a second system configuration image, wherein the second system configuration image is stored in a second partition of the plurality of partitions.

Abstract: A system for host-level distributed scheduling of a software installation in a distributed computer environment is disclosed. An information handling system includes an out-of-band processor operable to communicatively connect to a second information handling system via a network. The information handling system is configured to: retrieve an identifier indicative of a software installation consequent to a software installation request being invoked; download a software installation package via the network, where the software installation package includes a payload; store the payload in an image repository; schedule the software installation to occur based, at least in part, on the identifier and a timing parameter; store software installation information in a nonvolatile memory medium; and perform the software installation according to the scheduling. The scheduling and the performing of the software installation is without dependency on communicative connection to the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods that may be implemented to provide a plug-in architecture framework to allow extension of server management functionalities in a unified extension firmware interface (“UEFI”) environment using available remote access controller memory space. The disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to provide a hardware and software interface to allow use of a plug-in framework in the embedded system management that may be run under the BIOS firmware and the UEFI environment. The disclosed systems and methods may also be implemented to provide a server management architecture that may be modified and enhanced over time, and/or that may also be employed to extend availability of the server management framework to third parties, as well as to extend support to original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) servers.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a processor, a memory device coupled to the processor, and a dedicated system service repository (DSSR) coupled to the processor. The DSSR is configured to store a base image that includes a plurality of partitions and a first system configuration image, wherein the first system configuration image is stored in a first partition of the plurality of partitions, wherein the first system configuration image is configured to provide in-band and/or out-of-band managed access to the DSSR when executed; and by accessing the first system configuration image, the DSSR is populated with a second system configuration image, wherein the second system configuration image is stored in a second partition of the plurality of partitions.

Abstract: A system and method for system and method for dynamic generation of environmental operational models is disclosed. In one form, an information handling system can include a planning tool operable to enable selection of a system for use at a site. The information handling system can also include a thermal management processor operably coupled to the planning tool. The thermal management processor can include an input operable receive an attribute of a component of the system, and an output operable to output information that can be used to determine a CFD analysis. The thermal management processor can further include a CFD analysis input source operable to receive a CFD analysis to be presented in connection with the planning tool.

Abstract: A system and method for deployment of a software image to a plurality of target devices are disclosed. A method may include communicatively coupling a root node device to a plurality of internal node devices, and communicatively coupling a plurality of leaf node devices to the root node devices and the internal node devices. The root node device may transmit a software image from the root node device to at least two of the internal node devices, and each internal node device may transmit the software image to at least one other internal node device or leaf node device.

Abstract: A network connection of an information handling system is recovered after configuration of network communications components in an incorrect manner by adjusting the configuration of the network communication components. For instance, a network interface card (NIC) configured with an incorrect IP address has the IP addresses of other NICs of the information handling system applied to determine if network communication is supported. If application of each IP address fails to recover communication, the NIC adjusts to a dynamic network address, sends a configuration failure message, receives new configuration information and applies the new configuration information to establish network communication through a static network address.

Abstract: A system and method for system and method for dynamic generation of environmental operational models is disclosed. In one form, an information handling system can include a planning tool operable to enable selection of a system for use at a site. The information handling system can also include a thermal management processor operably coupled to the planning tool. The thermal management processor can include an input operable receive an attribute of a component of the system, and an output operable to output information that can be used to determine a CFD analysis. The thermal management processor can further include a CFD analysis input source operable to receive a CFD analysis to be presented in connection with the planning tool.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for the uniform installation of one or more of a plurality of heterogeneous operating systems (operating systems) on a predetermined information handling system. A common preinstallation environment (CPE) is implemented, comprising a host preinstallation environment (HPE) and one or more native preinstallation environments (NPEs). If an NPE is not required for installation, an HPE comprising a common, bootable kernel generates a bootable operating system image that is installed on the target system. Otherwise, the HPE creates a deployment partition, where it implements the NPE and generates a metafile describing the hardware drivers supported by the NPE. The HPE then inventories the hardware components comprising the target system and compares the results to the metafile. If all required drivers are accessible, the target system boots to the NPE, which begins native installation of the chosen operating system.

Abstract: An improved information handling system incorporates a primary memory resource that includes a partition. The partition includes a configuration module. In the event that the memory resource is reconfigured, the configuration module first copies or replicates the partition onto a second memory resource. Following the reconfiguration of the memory resource, the configuration module directs the restoration of the partition onto the primary memory resource.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically installing system-specific drivers in a pre-operating system environment include the utilization of a driver locator. The driver locator is stored within nonvolatile memory and allows the target system to access the driver locator in a pre-operating system environment. The driver locator includes system-specific identification information and directs the system to an operating system installation resource in a pre-operating system environment. The operating system installation resource is further operable to identify at least one driver needed for the target system based on information incorporated with the driver locator.

Abstract: A deployment module of a RAID deployment management system integrates vendor-specific RAID configurations into a vendor-independent infrastructure with a RAID configuration utility that translates vendor-specific formatted configuration information to vendor-independent formatted configuration information. A user interface determines a RAID configuration for a target information handling system from a unique identifier associated with the target information handling system and deploys the configuration information through a deployment engine that selects a boot file from a DHCP server for the target to boot to with a PXE client. The deployment engine loads an agent to the target that executes to configure the target and then resets the boot file associated with the target so that subsequent boot allows the configured target to deploy software.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automating the installation of a plurality of operating system and device management software combinations, with their respective and related configuration data, onto a plurality of information management system platform hardware. The present invention also provides for the automated and systemic validation of proper interoperability between all installed software components. All related details of the integration, installation and validation processes are automatically recorded and stored in a manner conducive to future retrieval, review, analysis, modification, and possible re-use. The method and apparatus of the present invention uses a chained integration process (CIP), which treats a combination of information handling system hardware and a software delivery stack, including BIOS, device drivers, firmware, and other software components, as input.