| 摘要 |
Disclosed is a server farm or MetaServer environment in which thin servers or server appliances each include a programmable network interface card providing logic required for implementing service processor functions. The combined implementation of the network interface and service processor hardware and software substantially eliminates redundancies, which previously existed when both were separate components. Service processor functions that are provided on the programmable network interface card includes gathering sensor data about the hardware, forwarding alerts regarding hardware state, initiating shutdown and restart on command, and responding to operating system service processor inquiries and commands. Additionally, other low-level management and control functions are provided on the programmable network interface card. Also, in one embodiment, a re-partitioning of the functions between the service processor (or probes) and the network interface is provided.
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