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.
