Abstract: Memory is logically partitioned into two regions. A first region may be a similar size relative to the second region or the first region may be a small subset of the memory. The first region of memory is initialized and an operating system utilizes the first region. A system handler simulates a physical hot add of the second region. After the simulated physical hot add, the operating system may utilize the second region as if it were newly added physical memory and/or may utilize both the first region and second region.

Abstract: Memory is logically partitioned into two regions. A first region may be a similar size relative to the second region or the first region may be a small subset of the memory. The first region of memory is initialized and an operating system utilizes the first region. A system handler simulates a physical hot add of the second region. After the simulated physical hot add, the operating system may utilize the second region as if it were newly added physical memory and/or may utilize both the first region and second region.

Abstract: This invention generally provides a method for speeding up system boot time, by initializing a subset of memory during the system firmware test/initialization, and allowing the system to boot an operating system with this subset of installed memory. While the system is completing the operating system boot with the subset of installed memory, a remainder of the installed system memory is being initialized/tested. When the initialization the remainder of system memory is completed (and after the OS has booted), the SMI handler is invoked. The SMI handler then simulates a physical memory “Hot Add” event, and reports the event to the OS. This allows much of the memory initialization/test activity to occur in parallel with the firmware initialization/test and operating system startup processes.

Abstract: A method of managing resources in a data processing configuration includes allocating system resources to an application to ensure a specified level of performance for the application. A system parameter is then modified to conserve power consumption upon detecting a condition resulting in a reduction of available system power. The original system resource allocation is then modified to maintain the specified level of performance following the modification of the system parameter. The system resources may include system CPU cycles and allocating system resources may include allocating a specified percentage of the CPU cycles to a high priority application. The reduction of available system power may be caused by an excessive ambient temperature or the failure of a power supply. Modifying the system parameter to conserve power consumption includes throttling the CPU speed and then dynamically increasing the percentage of CPU cycles allocated to the high priority application.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for reporting and recovering from an internal processor error in a multiprocessor system supporting system management mode. In accordance with the method of the present invention one or more replacement agents are allocated such as during system startup within the multiprocessor system. Machine specific error-reporting registers are monitored for one or more active processor agents during system operation. In response to detecting a faulty agent via the monitoring, a system management interrupt (SMI) request is issued to one or both the faulty agent and a selected replacement agent. In response to receiving the SMI request, the operating state of the faulty agent is copied to the selected replacement agent in system management mode. Operating system processing is then resumed using the replacement agent.

Abstract: This invention generally provides a method for speeding up system boot time, by initializing a subset of memory during the system firmware test/initialization, and allowing the system to boot an operating system with this subset of installed memory. While the system is completing the operating system boot with the subset of installed memory, a remainder of the installed system memory is being initialized/tested. When the initialization the remainder of system memory is completed (and after the OS has booted), the SMI handler is invoked. The SMI handler then simulates a physical memory “Hot Add” event, and reports the event to the OS. This allows much of the memory initialization/test activity to occur in parallel with the firmware initialization/test and operating system startup processes.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for reporting and recovering from an internal processor error in a multiprocessor system supporting system management mode. In accordance with the method of the present invention one or more replacement agents are allocated such as during system startup within the multiprocessor system. Machine specific error-reporting registers are monitored for one or more active processor agents during system operation. In response to detecting a faulty agent via the monitoring, a system management interrupt (SMI) request is issued to one or both the faulty agent and a selected replacement agent. In response to receiving the SMI request, the operating state of the faulty agent is copied to the selected replacement agent in system management mode. Operating system processing is then resumed using the replacement agent.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for reporting and recovering from an internal processor error in a multiprocessor system supporting system management mode. In accordance with the method of the present invention one or more replacement agents are allocated such as during system startup within the multiprocessor system. Machine specific error-reporting registers are monitored for one or more active processor agents during system operation. In response to detecting a faulty agent via the monitoring, a system management interrupt (SMI) request is issued to one or both the faulty agent and a selected replacement agent. In response to receiving the SMI request, the operating state of the faulty agent is copied to the selected replacement agent in system management mode. Operating system processing is then resumed using the replacement agent.

Abstract: A method and system for booting up multiple PCI peripheral devices, such that the number of bootable PCI peripheral devices is not limited by the amount of computer system memory that is dedicated to storing executable boot code for the peripheral devices. The executable boot code is stored on a Read Only Memory (ROM) on each peripheral device. When a new PCI peripheral device begins to boot up, a check for available memory space in a ROM scan memory address space is performed. If there is not enough available room in the ROM scan memory address space for the new device's executable boot code, then a ROM scan detection logic pages an image of another peripheral device's executable boot code out of the ROM scan memory address space before storing the new device's executable boot code into the ROM scan memory address space.

Abstract: A method of managing resources in a data processing configuration includes allocating system resources to an application to ensure a specified level of performance for the application. A system parameter is then modified to conserve power consumption upon detecting a condition resulting in a reduction of available system power. The original system resource allocation is then modified to maintain the specified level of performance following the modification of the system parameter. The system resources may include system CPU cycles and allocating system resources may include allocating a specified percentage of the CPU cycles to a high priority application. The reduction of available system power may be caused by an excessive ambient temperature or the failure of a power supply. Modifying the system parameter to conserve power consumption includes throttling the CPU speed and then dynamically increasing the percentage of CPU cycles allocated to the high priority application.

Abstract: Updating firmware on multiple systems or nodes within a merged networked environment includes providing firmware update code and a firmware update utility to a primary node. The firmware update utility determines the presence of a multi-node partition and detects the partition's configuration. The configuration determination includes determining the location of a remote service processor on each secondary node. The primary node creates an image of the firmware update code and distributes the created image to each of the secondary node service processors over a sideband link. Each of the remote service processors would then restart their respective systems. The node's BIOS detects the presence of the firmware update code on the service processor and forces the node to boot the update code directly. After the firmware update is complete, the firmware update code is deleted. When it subsequent restart occurs, the nodes will boot to the merged state.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing nodes in a multi-node computer to be appropriated by a master node in the multi-node computer. The node to be appropriated is suspended into an ACPI S3 Sleep State, causing current system operations state information to be stored in a backup memory in the appropriated node. The master node then populated a primary memory in the appropriated node with OS and other information required to join a partition that includes the master node. When the master node no longer wishes to use the appropriated node, the backup memory in the appropriated node is mirrored back into the primary memory. When the appropriated node “wakes up” from the S3 state, it continues executing software commands where it left off, without knowing anything that had happened after going into the S3 state.

Abstract: Updating firmware on multiple systems or nodes within a merged networked environment includes providing firmware update code and a firmware update utility to a primary node. The firmware update utility determines the presence of a multi-node partition and detects the partition's configuration. The configuration determination includes determining the location of a remote service processor on each secondary node. The primary node creates an image of the firmware update code and distributes the created image to each of the secondary node service processors over a sideband link. Each of the remote service processors would then restart their respective systems. The node's BIOS detects the presence of the firmware update code on the service processor and forces the node to boot the update code directly. After the firmware update is complete, the firmware update code is deleted. When it subsequent restart occurs, the nodes will boot to the merged state.

Abstract: Signals to a management module are generated on an occurrence of an event affecting one of a plurality of server blades housed in a common chassis with the management module and aggregated in the management module. Signaling in accordance with this invention may be originated at a number of levels of operation of information handling systems, and distinction can be drawn between an occurrence requiring prompt attention from an operator—an alert—and occurrences where such prompt action is unnecessary. Occurrences signaled are logged for possible later review, and such a log will, in the contemplation of this invention, contain events related to a number of server blades.