Control method for integrated chassis management and network switching

Abstract

The invention provides a control method for integrated chassis management and network switching, and belongs to the technical field of network communication equipment. Seamless fusion of network configuration and case health management is realized by uniformly integrating the BMC embedded in the switching board and a command line interface CLI of the network switching equipment; according to the device, a modularized software and hardware architecture is adopted, standardized interconnection is constructed among the switch board, the BMC module and the network processor, and unified access of any service port and management port is supported; a unified command analysis engine is arranged in the system, a traditional network management command and a case monitoring command are standardized and integrated, intelligent prompt and online help are provided, and the operation and maintenance complexity is reduced; precise monitoring and early warning of the internal environment state of the case are achieved by collecting key parameters such as temperature, voltage, fan rotating speed and power consumption in real time and combining a comprehensive health assessment and fault diagnosis mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of network communication equipment, and in particular relates to a control method for integrated chassis management and network switching. Background Art

[0002] Currently, network switching equipment typically consists of a switching chip, a management module, and an accompanying Baseboard Management Controller (BMC). Traditionally, the BMC is primarily used for monitoring and managing server-level chassis. Its command-line interface (CLI) differs significantly from the network switching equipment's CLI in terms of interaction logic, command format, and access methods. Users must configure device parameters and monitor chassis temperature, power status, fan status, and other information through separate interfaces and command sets. This increases management complexity and can easily lead to confusion and operational errors during troubleshooting and system maintenance. Therefore, a new network switching unit design is urgently needed that unifies the BMC and switching equipment CLI, thereby simplifying operational processes and improving system manageability and reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a control method for integrated chassis management and network switching, which unifies the management of the BMC module on the switch board and the command line interface of the switch module itself, and can configure the parameters of the switch board and monitor the health status of the chassis through any business port and management port.

[0004] A control method for integrated chassis management and network switching includes: a BMC module is embedded in a network switching unit, an embedded operating system runs in the BMC module, and the embedded operating system is interconnected with the switching firmware of the network switching unit at the kernel level; the BMC module and the switching firmware are integrated through a unified driver layer to form a unified command line interface, which supports conventional configuration commands for network switching and chassis health management commands.

[0005] Furthermore, the command line interface generates chassis health management commands or network switching commands by calling command modules in a modular command library; the command modules in the modular command library are chassis health management commands and network switching commands designed as integrated plug-ins.

[0006] Furthermore, the command line interface is accessed through any service port and management port, and the user can configure network switching parameters and monitor chassis status after being authenticated.

[0007] Furthermore, the BMC module is configured with multiple health management sensors, and the real-time collection, display and early warning of health management sensor data are achieved through the command line interface.

[0008] Furthermore, the network switching unit is configured with security authentication, access control and log recording functions to ensure the information security of the interface of the command line interface when accessed from multiple ports.

[0009] Preferably, a unified switching control module is deployed to identify the nature of the port currently accessing the command line interface, whether it is a service port or a management port, and then allocate bandwidth and processing resources to the access port according to pre-set priorities and security policies.

[0010] Preferably, a unified remote management protocol is set up, including SSH, Telnet, RESTful API, SNMP, and Syslog protocols, to achieve multiple remote management and monitoring.

[0011] Ideally, perform real-time assessment of the overall health of the chassis; query chassis historical and current status data through the command line interface to predict potential risks in advance.

[0012] Preferably, when abnormal chassis indicators are detected, an alarm is triggered, and fault location is performed, and error logs, sensor sampling data and timestamps are recorded. The "diagnosis" command provided by the command line interface supports remote debugging and fault tracing.

[0013] Furthermore, the command line interface sets user identity authentication, access permission management and command logging; and adopts encrypted transmission and firewall strategies to ensure the security of management communications accessed through any port.

[0014] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] This invention provides a control method for integrated chassis management and network switching. By integrating the BMC embedded in the switch board with the command line interface (CLI) of the network switching device, this method seamlessly integrates network configuration and chassis health management. The device utilizes a modular hardware and software architecture, establishing standardized interconnections between the switch board, BMC module, and network processor, supporting unified access from any service and management port. A built-in unified command parsing engine standardizes traditional network management commands with chassis monitoring commands, providing intelligent prompts and online help, reducing operational complexity. By real-time collection of key parameters such as temperature, voltage, fan speed, and power consumption, combined with comprehensive health assessment and fault diagnosis mechanisms, precise monitoring and early warning of the chassis' internal environmental status are achieved. Furthermore, the invention incorporates strict security authentication, access control, and encrypted communication mechanisms, and features redundant power supplies and hot backup to ensure stable operation in high-reliability scenarios. This technical solution is particularly suitable for data centers, large enterprise networks, mission-critical systems, and specialized information equipment, significantly improving device management efficiency and overall system security and reliability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a system architecture diagram of the network switching control method provided by the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0018] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for integrated chassis management and network switching control. This method enables seamless integration of the BMC on the switch board and the unified command-line interface of the network switching device, allowing users to configure the device and manage chassis health from any port. This design not only simplifies management processes and reduces operational complexity, but also improves device stability and reliability through security and redundancy features. It is particularly suitable for large-scale data centers, enterprise-level networks, and mission-critical systems. The specific solution is as follows.

[0019] 1. Unified command line CLI design

[0020] The traditional independent BMC management interface is integrated with the switching device CLI to create a unified command line style. This unified command line CLI supports both common network switching operations (such as VLAN configuration, port rate adjustment, and traffic monitoring), and also integrates chassis health management commands (such as temperature, voltage, fan status, and power monitoring). It also has the following technical features:

[0021] Command parsing and standardization: At the software architecture level, a unified command parsing engine is used to standardize and integrate the previously separate BMC command sets and switch management commands. Predefined syntax rules and a dynamic command registration mechanism ensure that all commands, whether originating from switch operations or chassis management, are uniformly interpreted and executed.

[0022] Modular Command Library: This library integrates common network management commands (such as VLAN configuration, link aggregation, and port status monitoring) with chassis health management commands (such as temperature, voltage, fan speed, and power consumption monitoring). Each command module utilizes a plug-in design, facilitating subsequent expansion or custom development.

[0023] Intelligent help and self-learning: The integrated command help system and self-learning mechanism support dynamic prompts, command completion, and online help documents, reducing the learning cost for operation and maintenance personnel and optimizing the command set structure based on usage.

[0024] 2. Multi-interface access mechanism

[0025] The design supports a unified command-line interface (CLI) accessible from any service port and management port. Whether accessing the dedicated management port or the standard port used for data services, users can access the device's unified management interface to configure parameters and monitor health status. This increases device flexibility and allows remote management and fault location at any node in the network topology. It also offers the following technical features:

[0026] Access from any port: The system is designed to allow unified CLI access through both business and management ports. Whether users log in through the dedicated management interface or a standard data port, they all undergo the same authentication and access control procedures, entering a unified management environment.

[0027] Dynamic interface identification and scheduling: It can identify the nature of the current access port (business or management) and dynamically allocate bandwidth and processing resources according to pre-set priorities and security policies to ensure that management access is not interrupted while not affecting normal data transmission.

[0028] Unified remote management protocol: In addition to traditional access methods such as SSH and Telnet, it also supports protocols based on RESTful API, SNMP, Syslog, etc., to achieve seamless switching of multiple remote management and monitoring methods, and facilitate integration into existing network monitoring platforms.

[0029] 3. Modular software and hardware architecture

[0030] The device utilizes a modular design, including a network switching unit, BMC module, network processor, and auxiliary power management unit. The BMC is embedded in the network switching unit and seamlessly integrates with the network switching unit's switch firmware using an embedded operating system. Command parsing and execution are implemented through a unified driver layer and API interface. Standardized buses and interfaces are used to interconnect modules, ensuring system stability and scalability. It also possesses the following technical features:

[0031] Internal layered design: A layered design divides the hardware into switch boards, BMC modules, network processors, sensor interfaces, and auxiliary power management units. Modules exchange data via high-speed buses (such as PCIe, I2C, or SPI), enabling efficient, low-latency collaboration.

[0032] Embedded operating system and firmware integration: A customized lightweight embedded operating system runs in the BMC module. This system is interconnected with the switch firmware at the kernel level and calls underlying sensors and hardware resources through a unified driver layer to ensure data synchronization and consistency during command execution.

[0033] Modular scalability: The system reserves standardized interfaces to support the addition of more sensor modules or management extensions in the future, such as intelligent environmental monitoring modules and video surveillance interfaces, to achieve functional expansion and upgrades.

[0034] 4. Health management function integration

[0035] In addition to conventional network switching functions, the chassis health management module monitors key indicators such as internal chassis temperature, humidity, voltage, fan speed, and power in real time, and provides feedback to the management platform through logging, alarm mechanisms, and remote diagnostic interfaces. Users can access all device health status information with simple commands through the unified command-line interface (CLI) and configure preset alarm policies. It also has the following technical features:

[0036] Real-time sensor data acquisition: The BMC module integrates multiple health monitoring sensors, including temperature, humidity, voltage, current, fan speed, and power. Through the high-precision data acquisition module, the internal environmental status of the chassis is monitored in real time.

[0037] Comprehensive Health Assessment System: Using data fusion and trend analysis algorithms, the system provides real-time assessment of the chassis' overall health, supporting pre-set thresholds and anomaly alerts. Administrators can query detailed historical and current status data through a unified command-line interface (CLI), enabling proactive prediction of potential risks.

[0038] Fault location and log tracing: Integrated automatic diagnosis capabilities enable the system to trigger alarms when abnormal indicators are detected. It also automatically locates the fault and records detailed error logs, sensor sampling data, and timestamps. Remote debugging and fault tracing are supported through the "diagnosis" command provided by the unified command-line interface (CLI).

[0039] Intelligent Alerts and Remote Response: A multi-level alert mechanism provides graded alerts based on anomaly severity, with support for automatic push notifications via SMS, email, or a centralized management platform. The system also allows for configuration of automatic recovery strategies, such as automatically restarting the corresponding module or switching to a redundant system when a transient anomaly is detected.

[0040] 5. Safety and redundancy design

[0041] To ensure reliable device operation, this invention incorporates security authentication, access control, and log auditing mechanisms into a unified management platform. It also supports multiple redundancy mechanisms (such as hot backup, dual power input, and link aggregation) to ensure continuous and stable operation in critical business scenarios. It also possesses the following technical features:

[0042] Access security: The unified command line interface (CLI) implements strict user authentication, role-based access control (RBAC), and fine-grained operation permission management. All management operations are logged in detail for auditing and tracing.

[0043] Encrypted communication: Supports encrypted communication protocols such as SSH and TLS / SSL to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data transmission when performing remote management through any port, while preventing man-in-the-middle attacks and unauthorized access.

[0044] Hardware redundancy and hot backup: The hardware design supports redundant power supplies, dual-link network connections, and hot-swappable design for key modules. If a module fails, the system automatically switches to the backup device, ensuring business continuity and high system availability.

[0045] Real-time security monitoring and intrusion detection: The integrated real-time security monitoring module monitors management interfaces and data traffic, promptly identifies abnormal access behaviors or attack attempts, and triggers security alerts and isolation mechanisms based on predefined rules.

[0046] Example 1: Implementation of a unified command line CLI architecture

[0047] The BMC module is integrated into the switch board, using a dedicated embedded processor running a lightweight operating system, simultaneously loading the switch firmware and BMC management software. Through software-level driver adaptation, the traditional BMC command set and switch management commands are merged and standardized. Users can log in to the unified CLI interface via SSH, Telnet, or the serial port. CLI commands include but are not limited to:

[0048] Network configuration commands: configure VLAN, port, rate, link aggregation, etc.;

[0049] Health monitoring commands: read temperature, voltage, fan status, and power consumption data;

[0050] Diagnostic commands: system log viewing, alarm threshold setting, troubleshooting tool launch, etc.

[0051] Example 2: Multi-interface access implementation

[0052] The design connects both the business and management ports to a unified switching control module. Through intelligent forwarding and protocol parsing, incoming management requests are passed to a unified command line interface (CLI). Whether accessed through a dedicated management port or a standard business port, the system accesses the same management environment after authentication. To mitigate security risks, the system supports IP / MAC-based access control and encrypted communication protocols (such as SSH) for management access on the business ports.

[0053] Example 3: Chassis health management function implementation

[0054] The BMC module has embedded health monitoring sensor interfaces, collecting data from sensors such as temperature, humidity, voltage, current, and fan speed. Commands such as "show chassis-health" are provided in the unified command-line interface (CLI) to query chassis health status in real time. The system also supports setting thresholds. Once an anomaly is detected, an alarm is triggered and pushed via SNMP, Syslog, or a dedicated management platform, enabling timely maintenance and resolution.

[0055] Example 4: Safety Mechanism and Redundancy Design

[0056] To ensure system security, the unified command line interface (CLI) implements user authentication, access rights management, and command logging. Encrypted transmission and firewall policies ensure the security of management communications accessed through any port. The hardware design incorporates redundant power supplies, dual-link aggregation, and hot-swappable design, further enhancing operational stability under high reliability requirements.

[0057] In summary, the above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for integrated chassis management and network switching, characterized in that: include: The BMC module is embedded in the network switching unit and runs an embedded operating system. The embedded operating system is interconnected with the switching firmware of the network switching unit at the kernel level. The BMC module and the switching firmware are integrated through a unified driver layer to form a unified command line interface. The command line interface supports general configuration commands for network switching and chassis health management commands.

2. The method for controlling integrated chassis management and network switching according to claim 1, wherein: The command line interface generates chassis health management commands or network switching commands by calling command modules in a modular command library; the command modules in the modular command library are chassis health management commands and network switching commands with an integrated plug-in design.

3. The control method for integrated chassis management and network switching according to claim 1, characterized in that: The command line interface is accessed through any service port and management port, and the user can configure network switching parameters and monitor chassis status after passing verification.

4. The control method for integrated chassis management and network switching according to claim 1, characterized in that: The BMC module is configured with multiple health management sensors, and the real-time collection, display and early warning of health management sensor data are achieved through the command line interface.

5. The control method for integrated chassis management and network switching according to claim 1, characterized in that: The network switching unit is configured with security authentication, access control and log recording functions to ensure the information security of the interface of the command line interface when accessed from multiple ports.

6. The method for controlling integrated chassis management and network switching according to claim 1, wherein: Deploy a unified switching control module to identify the nature of the port currently accessing the command line interface, whether it is a service port or a management port, and then allocate bandwidth and processing resources to the access port based on pre-set priorities and security policies.

7. The control method for integrated chassis management and network switching according to claim 1, characterized in that: Set up unified remote management protocols, including SSH, Telnet, RESTful API, SNMP, and Syslog protocols, to implement multiple remote management and monitoring.

8. The method for controlling integrated chassis management and network switching according to claim 1, wherein: Provide real-time assessment of the overall health of the chassis; query chassis historical and current status data through the command line interface to predict potential risks in advance.

9. The method for controlling integrated chassis management and network switching according to claim 1, wherein: When abnormal chassis indicators are detected, an alarm is triggered and the fault is located. The error log, sensor sampling data and timestamp are recorded. The "diagnosis" command provided by the command line interface supports remote debugging and fault tracing.

10. The method for controlling integrated chassis management and network switching according to claim 1, wherein: The command line interface sets user identity authentication, access rights management, and command records; and adopts encrypted transmission and firewall strategies to ensure the security of management communications accessed through any port.

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