William H Edmonds

US Patent:

20130097314, Apr 18, 2013

Filed:

Dec 7, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/708029

Inventors:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY, US
Thomas M. Brey - Cary NC, US
William M. Edmonds - Durham NC, US
Jeffrey M. Franke - Apex NC, US
Edward J. Klodnicki - Durham NC, US
James A. O'Connor - Ulster Park NY, US
Nicholas M. Williamson - Cary NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H04L 29/08

US Classification:

709224

Abstract:

Techniques are disclosed for managing inventory data for components of a server system. In one embodiment, a global management controller is provided, that is operatively connected to a plurality of local management controllers. Each local management controller is configured to manage a subset of the components of the server system. Each local management controller is also configured to generate, for each component, a checksum based on vital product data (VPD) of the component. Each local management controller is also configured to compute a composite checksum based on the checksums generated for the components in the subset. The global management controller is configured to maintain a global view of the VPD in the computer system, based on the checksums and/or composite checksums.