Lenovo 8149, 8177 Security features, Hardware controlled Passwords, Operating system password

Chapter 12. Additional Service Information

This chapter provides additional information that the service representative might find helpful.

Security features

Security features in this section include the following:

vPasswords

vVital Product Data

vManagement Information Format (MIF)

vAlert on LAN™

Hardware controlled Passwords

Hardware controlled passwords are set using the Setup Utility program. For more information about passwords, see “Using passwords” on page 55.

Operating system password

An operating system password is very similar to a power-on password and denies access to the computer by an unauthorized user when the password is activated. The computer is unusable until the password is entered and recognized by the computer.

Vital product data

Each computer has a unique Vital Product Data (VPD) code stored in the nonvolatile memory on the system board. After you replace the system board, the VPD must be updated. To update the VPD, see “Flash update procedures” on page 214.

Management Information Format (MIF)

Management Information Format (MIF) is a file used to maintain a list of the system unit serial number along with all serialized components (for example, system board, riser card, memory, and processor).

At the time of computer manufacture, the EPROM is loaded with the serial numbers of the system and all major components.

A company called Retain-a-Group is a central data warehouse offering serial number data management. Retain-a-Group acts as a focal point to law enforcement. The customer has the option to purchase serial number information and services from Retain-a-Group. It is the customer’s responsibility to maintain the MIF file and to inform Retain-a-Group of any changes to the file.

Some customers might request that their servicers assist them in maintaining the MIF file when serialized components are replaced during hardware service. This assistance is between the customer and the servicer. The servicer can use the DMI MIF Browser to update the MIF information in the EPROM. It is anticipated that some servicers might charge for this service.

To update the EPROM using the DMI MIF Browser, use the following procedure.

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