Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for controlling a memory in an electronic device. A kernel of a control unit in the electronic device receives importance information, based on program information, and memory usage, from an Operating System (OS) framework of the control unit. It is determined whether a memory request signal is received at the kernel from the OS framework. The kernel terminates at least one program based on the memory request signal and the importance information, when the memory request signal is received.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting legacy storage devices that may falsely and/or incorrectly report to host systems that they have removable media. Such false or incorrect reporting may cause the host system to periodically poll the storage device as to whether the device is ready for I/O processing. Such polling would be unnecessary and represent a waste of power expended by the host system. In one embodiment, the present system may implement processes that periodically poll storage media and update a database. The database would be a listing of storage devices indicating whether they truly have removable media or falsely report that they have removable media. In another embodiment, the present system may apply some heuristically testing to determine whether a storage device so falsely indicates removable media. In another embodiment, telemetry service may be used by a group of hosts to share data regarding such storage devices.

Abstract: Integrated circuit design and operation techniques are disclosed. In some embodiments, a data store stores, for each of a plurality of cores, a core image data comprising metadata about or otherwise associated with the core. A processor receives an indication of an application-related objective and uses core image data stored in the data store to identify programmatically a set of two or more cores from among the plurality of cores to help achieve the objective and to configure the two or more cores to help achieve the objective.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example avoiding data copy and task switching by processing protocol headers of network PDUs as a serial tape to be processed in order such as by a single method. Other processing includes reducing stages and simplifying protocol processing and multiplexing during network communications. Address changing in an active network can be implemented by assigning multiple addresses to an entity so that a new address can replace the old address. Peer-to-peer application searching can be performed among networks that can be accessible or non-accessible networks. Utilizing anycast sets that include selected and alternative addresses to enable immediate or near immediate alternative route selection on failure or congestion. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for automatic execution of at least one program associated with a mounted medium, wherein the mounted medium is ejected from a device is provided. The method may include determining if an automatic program initiation on eject is required, wherein the determining is based on a detection of the mounted medium being mounted in the device. The method may also include registering the required automatic program initiation on eject, wherein the registering is based on the determination of the automatic program initiation on eject being required. The method may include storing an executable program content associated with the registered automatic program initiation on eject. Additionally, the method may include executing the stored executable program content, wherein the execution is based on a detection of the mounted medium being ejected from the device. The method may include deregistering the required automatic program initiation on eject.

Abstract: The controller LSI is connected to an SPI flash memory having a deep power down mode (DPM), and brings the SPI flash memory to the DPM and then brings itself to low power consumption mode (LPM) that volatilizes data in a RAM. This invention solves the problem that the controller LSI cannot release the peripheral device from the DPM upon returning from the LPM due to the volatilization of the data. The controller LSI includes a CPU, the RAM, and an SPI control unit transmitting an SPI command to the flash memory. The SPI command includes a power down command to bring the flash memory into DPM and a release command to release it from the DPM. Upon returning from the LPM, the controller LSI causes the control unit to transmit a release command to the flash memory irrespective of whether it is in DPM or normal mode.

Abstract: A pre-provisioned mobile device and a system are provided that enables selection of proprietary feature services and proprietary applications specific to one cellular carrier from among two or more cellular carriers that have pre-provisioned the mobile device with carrier-specific proprietary feature services and proprietary applications. In response to insertion of a carrier-specific universal integrated circuit card, pre-provisioned proprietary feature services and proprietary applications specific to the carrier associated with the carrier-specific universal integrated circuit card are enabled for execution on the mobile device from a memory of the mobile device. Other examples allow for customized firmware and software builds.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a computing system, such as a monitoring computer, receives a request from a user to monitor an account of the user with an online service provider. The request may include personal information and user preferences for one or more protective actions. The system periodically monitors external data sources for indications of changes to personal information associated with the account, and detects changes or attempted changes to personal information associated with the account. The system may determine risk levels associated with detected changes or attempted changes, and transmit a notification to the user via a communication channel selected based on the determined risk level and/or the user preferences. The system may also initiate protective actions, so that further unauthorized access to the account may be prevented.

Abstract: A computer system can obtain BIOS data from a network storage by a management controller of the computer system. The computer system can emulate a BIOS memory by the management controller based on the BIOS data and initialize the computer system with the BIOS memory emulated by the management controller.

Abstract: Adaptation objects comprising software extensions for applications of an enterprise system may be developed in a test system. Dependency data for an adaptation object may be generated based on a reference, in the adaptation object, to at least one other adaptation object in the test system. If the adaptation object is assigned to a collection of adaptation objects for export to the enterprise system then checks are performed on the adaptation object based on the dependency data. One check may be for determining whether the at least one other adaptation object is: part of the collection or has already been exported and is unchanged since last being exported. If this check is failed a user interface is provided for: adding a latest version of the at least one adaptation object to the collection; or removing the reference to the at least one other adaptation object from the adaptation object.

Abstract: A solution for deploying a software image comprising a target operating system on a target computing machine is proposed. A corresponding method comprises mounting the software image as a storage device, identifying each software program comprised in the software image, downloading a configuration logic for configuring each software program, applying each configuration logic against the software image, and booting the target computing machine from the target operating system.

Abstract: System and method for distributed computing. Each of multiple server computer systems may include one or more microservers, a network interface, and a network switch, coupled to the one or more microservers and the network interface, the network switch configured to switchably connect any of the microservers to a network via the network interface. Each microserver may be configurable to implement a respective server based on a computer image file, including a pre-execution environment (PXE) boot image. A management server computer may manage the server computer systems, including: providing or designating provision of computer image files to the server computer systems. Each server computer system may receive a computer image file from the management server computer or a designated computer image file store, implement a PXE boot image on a microserver accordingly, connect to one or more client computers over the network, and provide computer services to the client computers.

Abstract: A microprocessor includes an indicator and a plurality of processing cores. Each of the plurality of processing cores is configured to sample the indicator. When the indicator indicates a first predetermined value, the plurality of processing cores are configured to collectively designate a default one of the plurality of processing cores to be a bootstrap processor. When the indicator indicates a second predetermined value distinct from the first predetermined value, the plurality of processing cores are configured to collectively designate one of the plurality of processing cores other than the default processing core to be the bootstrap processor.

Abstract: Data temporarily stored in volatile memory (e.g., RAM) on a host machine can be protected using a component such as an NV-DIMM, which includes components such as an ASIC, non-volatile memory, and a battery. If power is lost to the host, the battery provides the ASIC with the power needed to determine data in the volatile memory that is protected. This protected data then can be transferred to the non-volatile memory on the NV-DIMM. When power is restored, an application or other entity can contact the NV-DIMM to recover the data, which can be transferred over a sideband channel to be restored as appropriate for a prior operation. In at least some embodiments, the NV-DIMM can receive a key over the sideband channel that can be used to encrypt and decrypt the data for further security.

Abstract: A system for managing file movement between a first storage and a second storage is disclosed. The system may include a set of file manager nodes connected to the first storage and the second storage. The set of file manager nodes may be configured to move a first set of files from the first storage to the second storage based on at least the content of the first set of files.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatically triaging a server cluster of the type including a plurality of linked servers each running a plurality of processes. The method includes: detecting at least one failed process; automatically transmitting an electronic alert message embodying a first error code indicative of the failed process to a unified triage module including a processor and an updatable index table; applying, by the processor, the first error code to the index table. If a matching error code corresponding to the first error code is found in the index table, retrieving a solution code from the index table associated with the matching error code and automatically restarting the failed process using the solution code without human intervention.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a system and method is illustrated that includes receiving user count information that includes a user count value and an address identifier. Further, an operation is executed that includes using the user count information to determine whether a limit variable has been exceeded. An operation is executed that removes a member, identified by the address identifier, from a load balancing pool, where the limit variable has been exceed by the user count information. A further operation is shown that includes introducing a device into the load balancing pool, where the user count information is less than or equal to the difference between the limit variable value and a buffer variable.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch includes a packet processor, a persistent storage module, and a boot-up management module. The packet processor identifies a switch identifier associated with the switch in the header of a packet. The persistent storage module stores configuration information of the switch in a first table in a local persistent storage. This configuration information is included in a configuration file, and the first table includes one or more columns for the attribute values of the configuration information. The boot-up management module loads the attribute values to corresponding switch modules from the first table without processing the configuration file.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods, systems, and apparatuses of a fast start system. A computing device may automatically restart itself based on a restart schedule from a fast start network server. The computing device may initiate a booting sequence and retrieve login credentials of a user stored in the computing device. Using the stored login credentials, the computing device can login the user to the system. In response to successfully logging in the user, the computing device may initialize at least one startup application on the computing device. Once the user is successfully logged in, the computing device may automatically lock the computing device to the user to prevent any unauthorized use of the workstation.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described that relate to a computer-implemented method of using a virtual device operating in a first computer network to perform a service on behalf of a low-power device operating in a second computer network includes receiving, by the virtual device, device data reports and a device descriptor from the low-power device. The virtual device may be adapted to store the device data reports and/or the device descriptor in computer-readable memory coupled to the virtual device. The virtual device may also be adapted to receive a low-power device service request from a requesting device operating in a third computer network and may determine that the device descriptor indicates that the low-power device is unavailable to respond to the low-power device service request. A response to the low-power device service request may be generated by the virtual device based on the device data reports.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating and using a BIOS security display include determining whether a change in a BIOS user setting is associated with security of an information handling system. When the BIOS user setting is associated with security, a security level for the BIOS may be calculated based on weighted security values for BIOS user settings. Security levels for boot phases may also be individually calculated. The security levels may be displayed in the BIOS to the user when the BIOS user setting is changed.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to managing basic input/output system (BIOS) access. Example embodiments include communicating with a remote directory server in response to an attempt to access a setting of a BIOS module.

Abstract: A gap services router (GSR) that is a drop-in replacement of an end of life Cisco™ 2811 integrated services router (ISR). The GSR is a routing, switching, and computing platform that provides a technology refresh in the same form factor as the legacy 2811 router. The GSR is one rack unit in size and comprises the latest routing and switching technology from Cisco™, preferably a Cisco™ 5915 embedded services router (ESR) and a Cisco™ embedded services 2020 switch. The GSR contains two WAN ports and twenty-five LAN ports, with power over ethernet capability on all ports. The GSR also optionally includes an embedded server module capable of running the latest virtualization technology. An embedded server module in the GSR includes a removable solid state drive (SSD) that is zeroed upon removal. The GSR is preferably used to replace 2811 ISRs integrated in deployed military equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of and system for dynamically loading an executable composite software application, for use on a user device. An enterprise universe including multiple application modules is maintained, with each application module being configured to perform a particular functionality within the software application. This universe is filtered in terms of a particular environment definition to result in an environment subset of application modules, wherein the environment definition defines criteria according to which application modules exist in the environment. In response to receiving a container launch request from a user device, one or more application modules from the environment subset is launched as the executable composite software application on the user device through a container module associated with the user device.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present embodiments provide a system, server, and computing device for building and modifying a user interface of an application executable on a computing device. The method may be performed by a server that is remote from the computing device. In some embodiments the method comprises: receiving parameters for updating a user interface element of the application, the user interface element being identified at the server by a programming language unit for the user interface element in the program code of the application; and sending the parameters to the computing device, wherein the computing device receives the parameters, updates the user interface element of the application with the parameters, and displays a modified user interface for the application, the modified user interface comprising the updated user interface element.

Abstract: The electronic device may include a RAM, a nonvolatile storage device as an MTD, and firmware that may be stored on the nonvolatile storage device. The firmware may include a kernel that is expanded onto the RAM and a root disk image as a root file system. The kernel mounts the root disk image on the nonvolatile storage device as the root file system when a boot mode of the electronic device is a normal boot mode. The kernel, when the boot mode is an update mode for updating the firmware on the nonvolatile storage device, may i) generate a RAM disk as an MTD in an area of the RAM not under management of the kernel, ii) expand the root disk image on the nonvolatile storage device into the RAM disk, and iii) mount the root disk image on the RAM disk as the root file system.

Abstract: Techniques are described for generating a unique identifier by a first processor using a plurality of values including a shared value, the first processor's identifier, a container identifier and a time value. The shared value is a common value used by a plurality of processors including the first processor. The container identifier identifies a memory location. The time value denotes an amount of time that has elapsed since the first processor was last booted.

Abstract: The execution of a process within a VM may be monitored, and when a trigger event occurs, additional monitoring is initiated, including storing behavior data describing the real-time events taking place inside the VM. This behavior data may then be compared to information about the expected behavior of that type of process in order to determine whether malware has compromised the VM.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing processes are provided, the method comprising: obtaining a process identifier for a process in an operating system; after the shutdown of the process by a user, determining, in response to a first system event of the operating system, whether a first set of event objects comprise the process identifier to generate an examination result; and if the examination result indicates that the first set of event objects comprise the process identifier, deleting the process identifier from the first set of event objects. The method and apparatus for managing processes effectively prevent a process that was shut down by a user from being unintentionally reinitiated.

Abstract: A computer system includes a memory storing an UEFI firmware and a processor. The UEFI firmware supports pre-boot initialization of a plurality of different bootloader programs, wherein the UEFI firmware has a plurality of instructions and a plurality of configuration data for different bootloader programs.

Abstract: As the file system of an operating system program might be damaged by a crash, the file system is usually used neither for the selection of data to be dumped from a memory nor for the analysis of the dumped data, and all data contained in one or several areas of the memory are dumped. In order to preserve the integrity of the file system and enable its use after the crash, the memory is divided into a primary and a secondary memory section during a memory setup, file system data are transferred from the primary memory section to the secondary memory section widely out of the control of the operating system program, and a read access of a dump program is directed to the secondary memory section in order to select file system data to be dumped after the crash using error data.

Abstract: A method for obtaining media presentation description information. The method includes a client obtaining information related to a change in a first Media Presentation Description (MPD) on a server. The method further includes the client updating a second MPD on the client with the information related to the change.

Abstract: A method for identifying user managed software modules includes: receiving a request for a directed load of a software module into memory, wherein the request includes an address for storing the software module; storing the software module at the address in the received request; adding a name and an address range of the stored software module to a data structure identifying software modules that have been loaded into memory via directed loads; receiving a query that includes an input module name or an input address range; and responsive to determining that the input module name or input address range of the received query is not stored in one or more data structures identifying one or more software modules that have been loaded into memory without directed loads, searching the data structure identifying software modules that have been loaded into memory via directed loads for the respective query.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing the operation of a circuit operating in a slave mode. The circuit is connected to a bus having at least two of wires and a priority logic level. The slave circuit imposes the priority logic level on a first wire of the bus. While imposing, the slave circuit detects a possible conflict on the first wire resulting from a forcing, external to the slave circuit, of the first wire to another logic level. Upon detecting a conflict, the slave circuit is placed in a state stopping the sending by the circuit of any data over the bus while leaving the circuit listening to the bus.

Abstract: A system and method for managing backup and restore operations associated with a backup system. Metadata associated with files/directories of one or more file systems associated with one or more resources may be received. A virtual catalog image associated with the metadata may be created in a virtual file system image format. Once the virtual catalog image is created, virtualization vendor specific technology may be utilized to mount the image on the backup system and search and browse operations may be performed. The virtual catalog image may contain the file/directory hierarchy without containing actual file data.

Abstract: A method of providing instant messaging communication between a first user and at least one other user via a communication network.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for performing experiments on a software application and identifying optimized experience configurations for the software application. An application experiment system receives an experiment configuration from a developer of the software application. Based on the experiment configuration, the application experiment system determines an experiment strategy and generates a set of experience configurations for testing. Users available to participate in the experiment are identified, and the set of experience configurations are allocated to user computing devices associated with the available users to configure instances of the software application executing on the user computing devices. Experiment data related to the execution of the instances of the software application are collected and analyzed by the application experiment system to identify the optimized experience configuration for the software application.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for reconfiguring hardware at run-time. In multi-tasking environments, applications may depend on specific hardware configurations for their execution. The run-time hardware configuration change management API can receive hardware configuration requests from applications, accept or deny configuration requests, arbitrate conflicting configuration requests, and apply configuration requests.

Abstract: A BIOS updating method determines whether to allow a current BIOS version to be upgraded or downgraded to a target BIOS version according to a dependency description recorded in a BIOS updating program or a dependency description recorded in an SMBIOS. If all of the BIOS versions recorded in the dependency description are not between the current BIOS version and the target BIOS version, the BIOS updating program allows the current BIOS version to be upgraded or downgraded to the target BIOS version. If at least one of the BIOS versions recorded in the dependency description is between the current BIOS version and the target BIOS version, the BIOS updating program forbids the current BIOS version to be directly upgraded or downgraded to the target BIOS version.

Abstract: A method is used in managing storage space of storage tiers. Storage space utilization characteristics of a storage tier of a set of storage tiers in a storage system are evaluated. Based on the evaluation, reservation of headroom storage space in the storage tier is adjusted. The headroom storage space indicates an amount of the storage space reserved as unused storage space in the storage tier.

Abstract: A method includes determining an anticipated usage pattern for an information technology system and a desired service level for the information technology system. The method includes determining a utilization saturation point for the information technology system and selecting a number of servers in the information technology system. The method also includes calculating one or more performance characteristics for the information technology system based on the anticipated usage pattern, the desired service level, the utilization saturation point, and the number of servers and comparing the one or more performance characteristics for the information technology system with one or more desired performance characteristics for the information technology system.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to techniques for recovering registry information and recreating the entire registry for all available tenants in a scalable, multi-tenant distributed environment, while also potentially looking into all of the running services where the most up-to-date data could exist. Dynamic real-time or substantially real-time recreation of connections between a web application and the latest instance of a tenant in such an environment (e.g., following a failure of one of the databases holding the tenant data, a corruption of the registry entry pointing to the tenant, and/or the like) is made possibly by, for instance, comparing the timestamps of the last written entities in order to examine the most current data and “re-bundle” the last master/replication instances, e.g., for restores in an environment where a rolling failover procedure is implemented.

Abstract: A tamper resistant servicing Agent for providing various services (e.g., data delete, firewall protection, data encryption, location tracking, message notification, and updating software) comprises multiple functional modules, including a loader module (CLM) that loads and gains control during POST, independent of the OS, an Adaptive Installer Module (AIM), and a Communications Driver Agent (CDA). Once control is handed to the CLM, it loads the AIM, which in turn locates, validates, decompresses and adapts the CDA for the detected OS environment. The CDA exists in two forms, a mini CDA that determines whether a full or current CDA is located somewhere on the device, and if not, to load the full-function CDA from a network; and a full-function CDA that is responsible for all communications between the device and the monitoring server. The servicing functions can be controlled by a remote server.

Abstract: A tamper resistant servicing Agent for providing various services (e.g., data delete, firewall protection, data encryption, location tracking, message notification, and updating software) comprises multiple functional modules, including a loader module (CLM) that loads and gains control during POST, independent of the OS, an Adaptive Installer Module (AIM), and a Communications Driver Agent (CDA). Once control is handed to the CLM, it loads the AIM, which in turn locates, validates, decompresses and adapts the CDA for the detected OS environment. The CDA exists in two forms, a mini CDA that determines whether a full or current CDA is located somewhere on the device, and if not, to load the full-function CDA from a network; and a full-function CDA that is responsible for all communications between the device and the monitoring server. The servicing functions can be controlled by a remote server.

Abstract: Techniques for using hardware-based mechanisms for updating computing resources are described herein. At a time after receiving a code update request, one or more hardware-supported system management capabilities of processors within a computing system are invoked at least to interrupt execution of currently running instructions. While the system management capabilities are active and instruction execution is suspended, programmatic routines are updated. After the updates are complete, instruction execution is resumed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for creating, maintaining and applying a dataset that can be used to synchronize multiple instances of a data store. The dataset includes a sequentially-ordered sequence of change sets associated with the data store, wherein each change set includes zero or more entries that specify how the state of certain entities in the data store have changed since state changes represented by a previous change set in the sequence were applied to the data store. When a new change set is added to the dataset, any entries in any previously-added change sets dealing with the entities identified in the new change set are removed. Consequently, the dataset provides a concise and complete representation of all the state changes that have occurred to the data store since a known origin state.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a BIOS, a setting module, a determination module and a display controller. The setting module sets a display priority order at booting in the BIOS. The determination module determines connection of display units in order of priority based on the display priority order. The display controller performs a shortest waiting operation based on the connection determination and executes a display operation. An information processing apparatus having a screen display output includes a control program, a setting module, a determiner and a display controller. The setting module sets a display priority order at booting in the control program. The determiner determines whether display units are connected, in order of priority based on the display priority order. The display controller performs a shortest waiting operation based on the connection determination and executes a display operation.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that enable a computer system comprising networked computers to self-heal from a boot failure of one of the computers. In some embodiments, upon detecting a first computer failing to successfully load a first boot image, a second computer configures the first computer to boot a second boot image. Upon power cycling, the first computer loads the second boot image.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a data-intensive computer is provided. The data-intensive computer includes a processing sub-system formed by a plurality of processing node servers and a database sub-system formed by a plurality of database servers configured to form a collective database in excess of a petabyte of storage. The data-intensive computer also includes an operating system sub-system formed by a plurality of operating system servers that extend a unifying operating system environment across the processing sub-system, the database sub-system, and the operating system sub-system to act as components in a single data-intensive computer. The operating system sub-system is configured to coordinate execution of a single application as distributed processes having at least one of the distributed processes executed on the processing sub-system and at least one of the distributed processes executed on the database sub-system.

Abstract: A method is provided for protecting a computer system, comprising creating an isolated process, then assigning a first process group to the process; creating an additional group process within the first process group; performing a first determination by an application programming interface (API) that the additional group process is within the first process group, and as a result of the first determination, causing the additional group process to inherit and duplicate a handle of the process. Process communications and control within isolated groups is permitted freely, whereas process control by an isolated process for non-isolated processes or isolated processes in different groups is constrained or prohibited.