Universal computer management interface

Abstract

An integrated computer management apparatus allowing a networked administrator to manage a computer via multiple connection types and protocols. A preferred embodiment of the device has a network connection for the administrative users, coupled via an internal Ethernet switch and a processor to keyboard-video-mouse, serial, and Ethernet computer connections. Depending on hardware characteristics, operational status, OS, and administrator preferences any of these may be used to provide remote computer system management functions. Software running on the processor can provide direct logical connection between the remote administrator and a management port; may serve web pages graphically interpreting data gleaned from one or more of the connections; can provide protocol translation or proxy services; or locally execute an intelligent management agent. The device can be physically small enough to be supported by its connecting cables, and receives power from the attached computer.

1 . A device for managing a computer, comprising:
 an article of manufacture including a processing element, first and second Ethernet ports, a video port, a serial port, and an Ethernet packet forwarding functionality that is operatively coupled with the first and second Ethernet ports; and   wherein the processing element is programmed to facilitate a user communicatively connected to the device over the first Ethernet port to communicate information with the computer via at least one of the second Ethernet port, the video port, and the serial port.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising at least one of a keyboard interface and a mouse interface, which communicates with the processing element. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  further comprising circuitry that is capable of receiving DC power from the computer over at least one of the keyboard and mouse interfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the keyboard and mouse interfaces is made via a first Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising first and second USB connections that can provide power to the device. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a PS/2 interface that can provide power to the device. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a PS/2 interface and a USB interface, each of which can provide power to the device. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the Ethernet ports can provide power to the device. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the video port can provide power to the device. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the serial port can provide power to the device. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a DC power connector other than the Ethernet ports, the video port, and the serial port. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the video port includes circuitry that processes analog signals. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the video port includes circuitry that processes digital signals. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1  further including a wireless network connection operatively coupled to the Ethernet packet forwarding functionality. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the processing element operates software that communicates with the computer using at least one of a IPMI standard protocol, a text command line protocol, a Microsoft Emergency Management Services (EMS) protocol, and a manufacturer-specific protocol. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a second serial port, wherein the processing element is further programmed to facilitate the user to communicate the information with the computer via the second serial port. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the Ethernet packet forwarding functionality is implemented in an integrated circuit. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the Ethernet packet forwarding functionality includes at least one of a switch function, a hub function and a router function. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a housing having a volume of less than 100 cm 3 , which houses the article of manufacture. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising multiple ones of the articles of manufacture. 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 providing a device that includes first and second Ethernet ports, a video port, and a serial port; and   remotely managing a computer by remotely connecting the user through the first Ethernet port, and communicating with the computer via at least one of the second Ethernet port, the video port, and the serial port.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising including in the device an Ethernet packet forwarding functionality that is operatively coupled with the first and second Ethernet ports. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising connecting the device to the computer through the second Ethernet port. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising connecting the device to the computer through the video port. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising connecting the device to the computer through the serial port. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising providing instructions to the user for connecting the device to the computer. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising including in the device a processing element that is programmed to execute a function selected from the list consisting of: translating, reformatting, filtering, altering, encrypting, compressing, authenticating, signing, and storing data communicated between the device and the computer. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising including in the device a processing element that is programmed to execute a management function not native to the computer, selected from the list consisting of: monitoring computer system state, inventorying system assets, subsystems or components, logging data, alerting an administrator of system state, recovering the computer from an abnormal condition, reporting system information, and securing the computer. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  further comprising the processing element performing at least one of the management functions locally to the device according to a set of stored rules or policies.