International Business Machines Corporation

Thomas C Long

Levi A Campbell

Robert B Schlak

David B Kumhyr

Budy D Notohardjono

Daniel J Kearney

Steven John Ahladas

Robert Philip Makowicki

Peter Adam Wendling

Peter A Wendling, Jr

A method for managing data on a microcontroller. The method includes a computer processor receiving data to write to the memory of a microcontroller of a field-replaceable unit (FRU). The method further includes a computer processor determining that the received data is a type of data that is stored in a first logical partition, wherein the first logical partition is a logical partition of non-volatile memory of the microcontroller. The method further includes a computer processor determining whether the first logical partition includes sufficient space to store the received data.

Non-volatile memory drive partitions within microcontrollers

Methods, systems and computer program products for preventing unauthorized use of protected equipment in violation of export regulations are provided. Aspects include periodically obtaining a location of the protected equipment and storing the location in a location log in a non-volatile memory. Upon receiving a request to operate the protected equipment, aspects also include obtaining the location log from the non-volatile memory and parsing data from the location log to determine whether the protected equipment entered a restricted geographic area. Based on a determination that the protected equipment did not enter a restricted geographic area, aspects include granting the request to operate the protected equipment.

Preventing unauthorized use of protected equipment in violation of export regulations

In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes executing firmware including a command list configured to maintain commands executable by a host processor of a field-programmable unit. One or more of the commands define communications between the host processor and one or more back-end processors of the field-replaceable unit. The command list includes both periodic commands representing periodic processes and non-periodic commands representing non-periodic processes. Each command in the command list is set to one of active mode and inactive mode. Executing the firmware includes cycling through the command list, and executing, by the host processor, only the commands in the command list that are set to active mode while cycling through the command list.

Multi-processor command management in electronic components with multiple microcontrollers

A calibrated airflow monitoring method is provided. The monitoring method which includes: providing an airflow sensor positioned within an electronic system to be at least partially air-cooled, the airflow sensor including at least one temperature sensor and a heater associated with one temperature sensor of the at least one temperature sensor; calibrating, with the airflow sensor positioned within the electronic system, a duty cycle for use in powering the heater associated with the one temperature sensor; and providing a controller configured to use the calibrated duty cycle in powering the heater of the temperature sensor during airflow monitoring of the electronic system, and to obtain a hot temperature (T) reading from the one temperature sensor having the associated heater, and to determine, based at least in part on the hot temperature (T) reading, whether to issue an airflow warning.

Calibrated airflow sensor facilitating monitoring of electronic system cooling

A calibrated airflow sensor and monitoring method are provided. The monitoring method which includes: providing an airflow sensor positioned within an electronic system to be at least partially air-cooled, the airflow sensor including at least one temperature sensor and a heater associated with one temperature sensor of the at least one temperature sensor; calibrating, with the airflow sensor positioned within the electronic system, a duty cycle for use in powering the heater associated with the one temperature sensor; and providing a controller configured to use the calibrated duty cycle in powering the heater of the temperature sensor during airflow monitoring of the electronic system, and to obtain a hot temperature (T) reading from the one temperature sensor having the associated heater, and to determine, based at least in part on the hot temperature (T) reading, whether to issue an airflow warning.

A system and incorporated method is provided for performing high reliability flash updates using firmware residing in a computing environment. The system comprises a nonvolatile memory having a boot sector and an application sector and a volatile memory in processing communication to update the nonvolatile memory. The volatile memory also includes an implemented algorithm that can temporarily store functions necessary to update the nonvolatile memory via a flash update.

Reliably updating computer firmware while performing command and control functions on a power/thermal component in a high-availability, fault-tolerant, high-performance server

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Poughkeepsie, NY, United States of America

Thomas C Long