303 results about "System Management Mode" patented technology

A method and apparatus for updating video graphics changes of a managed server to a remote console independent of an operating system. The screen (e.g. frame buffer) of the managed server is divided into a number of blocks. Each block is periodically monitored for changes by calculating a hash code and storing the code in a hash code table. When the hash code changes, the block is transmitted to the remote console. Color condensing may be performed on the color values of the block before the hash codes are calculated and before transmission. Compression is performed on each block and across blocks to reduce bandwidth requirements on transmission. Periodically, the configuration of a video graphics controller and a pointing device of the managed server are checked for changes, such as changes to resolution, color depth and cursor movement. If changes are found, the changes are transmitted to the remote console. The method and apparatus may be performed by a separate processor as part of a remote management board, a "virtual" processor by causing the processor of the managed server to enter a system management mode, or a combination of the two.

A method and system are provided for performing automated management on a system. The method includes providing a fault tree representation of the system. The fault tree specifies propagations of errors generated in the system by problems to produce error reports. The method further includes receiving one or more error reports which are analyzed using the fault tree representation to determine one or more suspected problems. The suspected problems represent those problems that could have generated errors to produce the received error reports compatible with the propagations in the fault tree. The method further includes deconfiguring or reconfiguring one or more components in the system in response to the determination of the suspected problems.

Methods, apparatus, and systems for updating firmware for clustered computing platforms. Firmware provided on each platform is loaded for operating system runtime availability. The firmware update process begins by issuing an update directive that includes firmware update data to a first platform. That platform then interacts with firmware running on other platforms to update the firmware for those platforms, wherein communications between the platforms is enabled via an out-of-band (OOB) communication channel or network. In one embodiment, OOB communications are facilitated by a hidden execution mode known as the System Management Mode (SMM), which has the ability to receive and respond to periodic System Management Interrupts (SMI) and execute corresponding SMI handlers configured to support inter-platform communication in a manner that is transparent to operating systems running on the platforms. The method allows firmware to be updated across multiple platforms, such as server blades, using a single administrative action.

In one embodiment, a register in a processor is programmable with an intercept indication indicative of whether or not an event that would cause a transition by the processor to a first mode is to be intercepted during execution of a guest. Responsive to the intercept indication and further responsive to detecting the event, execution circuitry in the processor is configured to exit the guest. In another embodiment, a method comprises: detecting an event that would cause a processor to transition to a first mode, wherein first code is to be executed in the first mode; and causing the first code to be executed in a guest responsive to the detecting. In still another embodiment, a computer accessible medium comprising instructions which when executed in response to detecting the event, cause the first code to be executed in a guest.

Architecture that provides model-based systems management in virtualized and non-virtualized environments. A security component provides security models which define security requirements for services. A management component applies one or more of the security models during the lifecycle of virtual machines and services. The lifecycle can include initial deployment, expansion, moving servers, monitoring, and reporting. The architecture creates a formal description model of how a virtual machine or a service (composition of multiple virtual machines) is secured. The security requirements information can also be fed back to the general management system which uses this information in its own activities such as to guide the placement of workloads on servers can be security related.

An improved consistency is provided between systems management systems (SMS) and workflow management systems (WFMS) by a linkage between the two. A tight, integrative linkage is provided which is managed and maintained automatically by the application, particular by the WFMS, or alternatively by the SMS. This provides a consistent business process oriented view of the SMS monitored resources, including information technology resources, such as programs, and WFMS monitored resources, including organization resources such as people. This is achieved by either of: enhancing the application's monitor to include the functionality of the enterprise console; or enhancing the enterprise console to include the functionality of the WFMS's process monitor; and profiting from the merged information of both the SMS and the WFMS.

An operator guidance system is provided for an administrator managing a computer network such as a distributed computer system. Fault events reported by a fault management system in the network are enhanced to include topology information about other nodes (such as neighbor nodes, path nodes and/or service nodes) that may have been responsible for the fault. The enhanced events are correlated with configuration commands used in the past to correct faults. A set of guidance rules are developed based on the actions that were taken by the operator in handling previous faults of a similar nature. The guidance rules can be displayed to the administrator to facilitate network fault resolution. Using a set of predefined policies, some of the corrective actions can be performed automatically.

Methods and systems for efficient and effective distribution of system management messages between customer and service provider sites are provided. Customer sites each recognize characteristics of the content of messages distributed by the system and receive only messages relevant to the customer site. System dynamic changes are adapted to such as inter-site communication link interruption or congestion and providing seamless automated information technologies operations during these system dynamic changes. Automated management services are only postponed until such communication link can be restored. Two illustrative embodiments are provided. In one embodiment, system management resides at the service provider site with local system management backup at the customer site. In a second embodiment, system management resides at both the service provider site and customer site.

A computing system provides a process for updating a management information format (MIF) database while a processor is operating in a protected mode. The BIOS accesses a protected memory space by utilizing a system management interrupt (SMI). A SMI causes the computing system to enter a system management mode (SMM) and call a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) function, such as the BIOS function 52h (Set Structure), to accomplish an update of the MIF database. An OEM string, for example, may be updated. In SMM, the system is capable of accessing the entire memory address space without risking a memory protection fault.

A method and system that enables executable content in the form of one or more software drivers or firmware volumes to be loaded into the System Management Mode (SMM) of a microprocessor or the native mode of an Itanium-based processor. The mechanism allows for multiple drivers, possibly written by different parties, to be installed for these operations. An agent that registers event handlers provided by the drivers runs in the EFI boot-services mode and is composed of a CPU-specific component that binds the drivers and a platform component that abstracts chipset control of the xMI (PMI or SMI) signals corresponding to an event triggering condition. Accordingly, the functionality of the SMM mode of various processors and the native mode of Itanium processors can be extended through add-on drivers written by parties other than the OEM from the computer system or the BIOS vendor for the system.

An IMES intelligent manufacturing execution system is featured by comprising a basic data module, a production planning module, a production scheduling module, a qualify management module, a manufacturing resource management module, an employee management module, a warehouse management module, an integral report module, a system management module and an equipped mobile terminal system; the advantages are that the system can solve the information isolated island problems existing in MES and the defect ring problems formed between a MRP layer and a DCS layer; novel modules are developed according to user demands and used by a plurality of departments in the same time, thus solving the contradictions of different departments using different information systems, and improving the working efficiency; the IMES intelligent manufacturing execution system can monitor the factory flow data, thus enabling the management layer to make rapid decisions aiming at problems.

Aspects of the present invention include an N-Node virtual link trunking (VLT) system comprising a set of N nodes collectively provide a logical fabric-level view that is consistent across the set of N nodes. Embodiments of the N-Node VLT system comprise a control plane mechanism to provide Layer 2 multipathing between access network devices (switches or servers) and the core network. The N-Node VLT system provides a loop-free topology with active-active load-sharing of uplinks from access to the core. Accordingly, the N-Node VLT system eliminates the disadvantage of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) (active-standby links) by allowing link aggregation group (LAG) terminations on multiple separate distribution or core switches and also supporting a loop-free topology. Additional benefits of an N-Node VLT system include, but are not limited to, higher resiliency, improved link utilization, and improved manageability of the network.

Interruptable and re-enterable system management mode (SMM) programming code. The code includes one or more instructions, an entry or exit location, and one or more instructions. The code is executable while the personal computer system is in SMM.

One embodiment provides a method of managing power in a computer system. A device of the computer system is operated at a selected power-state. The power consumption of the computer system is monitored. If the power consumption of the computer system is approaching or has exceeded a power cap selected for the computer system, then a request to reduce the power-state for the device is generated in response. The operating system is used to service the request to reduce the power-state according to the priority of the request. The reduced power state is forced out-of-band following the request to reduce the power-state if the request is not immediately serviceable by the operating system. Different approaches can be taken to force the reduced power state, using, for example, system management mode or a platform environment control interface.

A method and system divides a media space, such as found in a hard drive or other mass storage device, into a portion directly accessible by all software and a portion inaccessible by all software except host Basic Input Output System (BIOS) code. A special procedure to access media space may include a special instruction or instruction set with or without a password to allow hard drive support for READ ONLY partitions, READ ONLY CD-ROM emulation, and other READ ONLY hard drive access requirements. The special procedure may user an expanded ATA command set, an expanded BIOS command set with System Management Mode, or code to temporarily unprotect at least a portion of the portion normally inaccessible by the software other than host BIOS code.

The invention relates to the field of fresh food supply chain management, and specifically relates to a preposed warehouse fresh food shopping and distribution mode. The preposed warehouse fresh food shopping and distribution mode comprises a warehousing system, a distribution system and a supply chain management system, and the supply chain management system comprises five subsystems of a purchasing system, a warehouse management system, a commodity system, an order management system and a transportation management system. A centralized + distributed management mode is employed, a centralized warehouse and several preposed warehouses are arranged in the urban area, goods are stored in the preposed warehouses, a customer places an order through a mobile phone APP, goods are sent to the customer from the closest preposed warehouse, and therefore one-hour delivery is achieved. Beneficial effects of the preposed warehouse fresh food shopping and distribution mode are that a centralized + distributed warehousing mode is employed, efficient distribution of one-hour deliver in the last one kilometer is achieved; compared with a conventional mode, the intermediate links are less, the distribution efficiency is high, time is short, and the cost is low; by means of distributed storage, supply chain steps can be greatly reduced, the distribution cost of each order can be reduced to 11 yuan, and the distribution time is reduced to one hour.

A control method of synchronizing operation frequencies of a CPU and a system RAM in a power management process. A power management process is initialized by a system interrupt generated by a power management event. After sending the interrupt control signal output from the chipset to the CPU, the CPU enters a system management mode to execute an interrupt service routine. The interrupt service routine irrelevant to the system RAM configuration is executed first. The shadow RAM control register of the chipset is programmed using the BIOS program to enable the BIOS ROM. A distant jump command is programmed to jump into a predetermined memory address of the BIOS ROM storing a system RAM frequency modulation program to execute the system RAM frequency program. Therefore, the operation frequencies of the CPU and the system RAM are consistent during the power management process to eliminate the instability of system caused thereby.

The invention discloses a campus dormitory prevention and evacuation safety management system. The campus dormitory prevention and evacuation safety management system is characterized by comprising a remote control and management side, a centralized control and management side, a fire alarm system, a burglar alarm system, an access control system, a video surveillance system, a radio system and a power supply support system. According to the campus dormitory prevention and evacuation safety management system, the fire alarm systems, the burglar alarm system, the access control systems, the video surveillance system, the radio system, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) Internet of Things and the INTENET technology are organically integrated to form a strict people prevention and technical prevention system from superior education authorities to subordinate campus dormitory for safety, so that a variety of safety management modes can be implemented, and a new campus dormitory safety management guarantee system is established to ensure the safety of students in the campus dormitory activities.

A computer system includes a system memory, a plurality of processor cores, and an input/output (I/O) hub that may communicate with each of the processor cores. In response to detecting an occurrence of an internal system management interrupt (SMI), each of the processor cores may save to a system management mode (SMM) save state in the system memory, information corresponding to a source of the internal SMI. In response to detecting the internal SMI, each processor core may further initiate an I/O cycle to a predetermined port address within the I/O hub. The I/O hub may broadcast an SMI message to each of the processor cores in response to receiving the I/O cycle. Each of the processor cores may further save to the SMM save state in the system memory, respective internal SMI source information in response to receiving the broadcast SMI message.

The integrity of a computer may be checked by issuing a command to read data from a hardware component of the computer and retrieving the data from a data transfer buffer. The command may be sent to a secure driver that places the central processing unit (CPU) of the computer in system management mode to trigger execution of a system management interrupt (SMI) handler. The SMI handler may read the data from the hardware component, encrypt the data, and place the encrypted data in the data transfer buffer. A system integrity check application program may read the encrypted data to determine presence of malicious code based on the data. For example, the application program may infer presence of malicious code when the encrypted data does not conform to a particular encryption algorithm or when the data does not appear in the data transfer buffer.

A method and system to implement a virtual out-of-band management controller. A management mode of operation of a processing system is activated in response to a signal received via a network. A portion of code copied from a firmware unit into system memory of the processing system is executed during the management mode of operation to interact with at least one hardware entity of the processing system. A runtime monitor is further executed during the management mode of operation to determine information about the at least one hardware entity via executing the portion of code and to transmit the information over the network. Subsequently, the management mode of operation is deactivated.

A method for protecting a privilege level of a system management mode (SMM) of a computer system is disclosed. A SMM program is loaded into a special memory (SMRAM) area within a system memory of a computer. A first program, a second program, and a vector table are loaded into a general area of the system memory. Before the booting process of the computer has been completed, a reference hash value of the first program is determined by the SMM program, and the reference hash value is stored in the SMRAM area. A hash value of the first program is the computed by the SMM program. After the computer has been operating under an operating environment of an operating system, the computed hash value is compared to the reference hash value. When the computed hash value matches the reference hash value, the first program is called by the SMM program.