Abstract:
A method and system for checking security when a request for system access is received by a computer system within a network environment is disclosed. When a request for system access into a network environment is first received, a service processor checks a fixed non-null pattern and based on its results performs a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) on the contents of CMOS memory to verify its authenticity. An IEEE-standard CRC algorithm is used to confirm that the data in the CMOS memory has not been corrupted. If the fixed non-null pattern and/or CRC algorithm confirms that no corruption exists, then the service processor prompts the user for a system password and performs the normal authentication checks between the entered password and a stored password. If the CRC algorithm detects that corruption exists, then the service processor determines where the request was received. In response to a determination that the request was received remotely, then access is denied as a security threat. If the service processor determines that the request was received locally, then access to the network environment is granted to the user.
Abstract:
A method, system, and product in a data processing system are disclosed for providing centralized management of an INFINIBAND distributed system-area network that includes multiple end nodes. A manager application is established in one of the end nodes. An agent application is established in one or more end nodes. Each agent application is independent from the manager application. The manager application maintains a current list of active agent applications and uses the list to manage the agent applications in the end nodes.
Abstract:
A method, system, and product in a data processing system are disclosed for providing centralized management of an INFINIBAND distributed system-area network that includes multiple end nodes. A manager application is established in one of the end nodes. An agent application is established in one or more end nodes. Each agent application is independent from the manager application. The manager application maintains a current list of active agent applications and uses the list to manage the agent applications in the end nodes.
Abstract:
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable program code are provided for routing a packet in a switch system. A set of paths through the switch system to a destination address are determined. The set of paths are analyzed to identify a path with a least used link, where the least used link leads to a next stage of the switch system. The routing to the destination address is set through the path with the least used link to form a selected path in order to improve congestion control and load balancing in response to identifying the path with a least used link.
Abstract:
An I/O adapter sharing mechanism in a logically partitioned computer system allows sharing a network I/O adapter between logical partitions in an efficient manner. A first logical partition owns (or controls) the I/O adapter, and a second logical partition desires to use (or share) the I/O adapter. An I/O adapter device driver that includes a hardware interface is provided in the first logical partition. A virtual device driver is provided in the second logical partition that provides a set of functions that is at least partially defined by querying the I/O adapter device driver in the first logical partition. The I/O adapter sharing mechanism includes a transfer mechanism that allows data to be transferred directly from the virtual device driver in the second logical partition to the I/O adapter without passing through the I/O adapter device driver in the first logical partition.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for auto-configuration of an internal network interface are disclosed. Embodiments may install an internal VLAN manager in a logically partitioned computer system along with network agents in each of the partitions in the logically partitioned system to facilitate configuring an internal communications network and the corresponding internal network interfaces in each participating partition. In particular, an administrator accesses internal VLAN manager, selects an internal VLAN ID, selects each of the participating partitions, and configures the communications network with global parameters and ranges. The internal VLAN manager then generates partition parameters and incorporates them into messages for each of the partitions selected to participate in the internal network. Each of the participating partitions receives one of the messages and, in response, invokes the corresponding network agent that extracts partition parameters from the message and creates or re-configures an internal network interface based upon the parameters.
Abstract:
In a display computer with multiple serial ports, there is provided an on-screen facility for identifying each of the serial ports with a numerical identifier. A process is provided responsive to a change in the status of a connection to any serial port that displays the identifier for that serial port. The change in status takes place when connecting to the serial port. The process may be effectively used in systems having their serial ports extended through a universal serial bus. The identifiers for the serial ports may be stored in a look-up table from which the appropriate identifier may be obtained and displayed upon the connection of a peripheral device to a serial port. Among the many advantages of this on-screen serial port identification is the assurance that the user will not be confused or obstructed by any errors in the physical labelling of serial ports in the manufacture or assembly of computer hardware. Such mislabelling is often the result of unintentional cross-overs in the wiring of the multiple serial ports.
Abstract:
A hosting partition update mechanism allows updating I/O capability of a logically-partitioned computer system in a way that minimally affects the performance and availability of I/O in the computer system. When an update is needed, a new hosting partition is created with the desired update(s). I/O adapters in the current hosting partition are then migrated to the new hosting partition. The migration of an I/O adapter from the current hosting partition to the new hosting partition is relatively fast, thereby minimally impacting system performance and availability of I/O. Once all of the I/O adapters have been migrated to the new hosting partition, the current hosting partition may be kept as a backup, or may be eliminated. Providing a new or backup hosting partition allows updates to be performed in the new or backup hosting partition in a non-disruptive manner while the current hosting partition continues to service I/O requests.
Abstract:
A hosting partition update mechanism allows updating I/O capability of a logically-partitioned computer system in a way that minimally affects the performance and availability of I/O in the computer system. When an update is needed, a new hosting partition is created with the desired update(s). I/O adapters in the current hosting partition are then migrated to the new hosting partition. The migration of an I/O adapter from the current hosting partition to the new hosting partition is relatively fast, thereby minimally impacting system performance and availability of I/O. Once all of the I/O adapters have been migrated to the new hosting partition, the current hosting partition may be kept as a backup, or may be eliminated. Providing a new or backup hosting partition allows updates to be performed in the new or backup hosting partition in a non-disruptive manner while the current hosting partition continues to service I/O requests.
Abstract:
A system, method, and computer-readable medium for detecting errors on a network. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a network error manager retrieves a network topology from a master subnet manager, wherein the network includes a collection of devices coupled by a first interconnect type. When a connectivity failure is detected in the first interconnect type, the network error manager receives from the master subnet manager at least one event notification via a second interconnect type. An error log analysis component identifies at least one device among the collection of devices as a possible cause of the connectivity failure in the first interconnect type. The network error manager retrieves events from at least one device among the collection of devices that can influence a state of the first interconnect type.