International Business Machines Corporation

Brian Stuart Lauber

Jeffrey A Craig

James Michael Stafford

John Leslie Harter

Robert A Johnson

Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which update firmware in a network computer by replacing the standard operating system to be loaded at the initialization of the network computer with a firmware update operating system. The firmware update operating system is then downloaded to the network computer and initiated to update the firmware of the network computer. The firmware update operating system may then be replaced with the standard operating system to be loaded at the initialization of the network computer. The network computer may then be reinitialized by, for example, a cold boot, so as to load the standard operating system. The cold boot may be server initiated so as to allow for firmware updates with intervention by an operator at the network computer.

Methods, systems and computer program products for secure firmware updates

Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which control a network computer having an access port for receiving an access card, such as a short card which includes a processor and storage for providing secure user information. The network computer is controlled by detecting the presence in the network computer of the access card and accessing the access card to obtain user specific information. The power management of the network computer may then be controlled based upon the user specific information on the detailed access card. Also provided are methods, systems and computer program products for providing user information to a network computer by storing user specific information on an access card which includes a processor and storage such that information stored on the access card may only be accessed through the processor of the access card so as to provide secure data on the access card. The access card may then be provided to a network computer and accessed to obtain user specific information independent of the network connections of the network computer. User identification information, which may be encrypted, is stored on the access card and validated to permit access to the network computer. User activity may be tracked or monitored, including transitions between and time spent in power modes, to establish power management preferences for a user on the network. The network computer may be activated and deactivated by the detected presence or absence of the access card or smart card, so that the access card may act as an intelligent &ldquo;power on&rdquo; for the network computer.

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Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Brian Stuart Lauber