Device detection method and device detection system

Abstract

The present application provides a device detection method and a device detection system. The device detection method includes selecting one of the at least one server as a selected server, scanning at least one Nth layer device of the selected server, recording an address of at least one first type device in the at least one Nth layer device, and defining at least one second type device in the at least one Nth layer device as a node respectively, and scanning at least one (N+1)th layer device corresponding to the node, where N is a positive integer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device detection method and a device detection system, and more particularly to a device detection method and a device detection system for at least one server. Background Technology

[0002] Server designs are becoming increasingly diverse, leading to complex physical device configurations. In other words, server designs are frequently adjusted based on different usage requirements, resulting in variations in hardware design. The development of a server's Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) requires defining the corresponding physical device configuration to ensure proper monitoring and management. Therefore, quickly determining the server's physical device configuration to shorten BMC development time is a key research focus for those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a device testing method and a device testing system that can quickly determine the physical device configuration design of a server.

[0004] The device detection method of the present invention is used to detect multiple devices of at least one server. The device detection method includes: a host selecting one of the at least one servers as a selected server; scanning at least one Nth layer device of the selected server through a communication interface; recording the address of at least one first type device among the at least one Nth layer device; defining at least one second type device among the at least one Nth layer device as a node, and scanning at least one (N+1)th layer device corresponding to the node, where N is a positive integer.

[0005] The device detection system of the present invention includes at least one server and a host. Each of the at least one server includes multiple devices. The host communicates with the at least one server via a communication interface. The host selects one of the at least one server as the selected server and scans at least one Nth-level device of the selected server through the communication interface, recording the address of at least one first-type device among the at least one Nth-level device. Furthermore, the host defines at least one second-type device among the at least one Nth-level device as a node, and scans at least one (N+1)th-level device corresponding to the node, where N is a positive integer.

[0006] Based on the above, the host records the address of the first type of device among the detected Layer N devices. The host defines the second type of device among the Layer N devices as a node and scans for at least one Layer N+1 device corresponding to the node. In this way, the physical device configuration of the server can be determined quickly. In addition, the development time of BMC will also be shortened.

[0007] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a device detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a device detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a web page interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a device detection method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] In the attached figures, the following labels are used:

[0013] 100: Device Testing System

[0014] 110_1~110_3: Servers

[0015] 111~118: Apparatus

[0016] 120: Host

[0017] 200: Webpage Interface

[0018] 210: Server Field

[0019] 220: Server address field

[0020] 230: Scan Layer Number Field

[0021] 240: BMC column

[0022] 250: File Name Field

[0023] 260: Scan Results Window

[0024] B1: Scan key

[0025] B2: Download button

[0026] LF1~LF5: Information

[0027] ND1~ND3: Information

[0028] S110~S130: Steps

[0029] S210~S290: Steps Detailed Implementation

[0030] Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Component symbols used in the following description, when appearing in different drawings, are considered to be the same or similar components. These embodiments are only a part of the present invention and do not provide all possible implementations of the invention. More precisely, these embodiments are merely examples within the scope of the present invention's patent application.

[0031] Please also refer to Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a device detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a device detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the device detection system 100 includes servers 110_1 to 110_3 and a host 120. The host 120 communicates with servers 110_1 to 110_3 via a communication interface. The host 120 can be an electronic device with computing capabilities. The host 120 can be, for example, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a smartphone, or other electronic device. Servers 110_1 to 110_3 each include multiple devices. For example, server 110_1 includes devices 111 to 118. For ease of explanation, this embodiment uses three servers 110_1 to 110_3 as an example. The number of servers in the device detection system of the present invention can be one or more, and is not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, the number of devices in the servers of the present invention can be multiple, and is not limited to this embodiment.

[0032] In this embodiment, host 120 performs multiple operations based on steps S110 to S130. In step S110, host 120 selects one of servers 110_1 to 110_3 as the selected server and scans the Nth-layer device of the selected server. Host 120 detects the Nth-layer device to determine its type. N is a positive integer. In step S120, host 120 records the address of the first type of device. In step S130, host 120 defines the second type of device as a node. Furthermore, host 120 also scans the (N+1)th-layer device corresponding to the node in step S130. In other words, host 120 also scans the (N+1)th-layer device connected to the second type of device in step S130.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first type of device is a sensing device. For example, the sensing device can be one of a temperature sensor, a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a fan speed sensor. The second type of device is a multiplexer. That is, if a multiplexer is detected, the host 120 defines each detected multiplexer as a node. The host 120 scans the next-level devices corresponding to the nodes.

[0034] It is worth mentioning that the host records the address of the first type of device detected. The host defines the second type of device as a node and scans for at least one layer N+1 device corresponding to the node. In this way, the physical device configuration of the server can be determined quickly. Therefore, the development time of the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) can be significantly shortened.

[0035] For example, in step S110, host 120 selects server 110_1 as the selected server and scans the Layer 1 devices of server 110_1 through the communication interface. The communication interface can be, for example, an interface suitable for I2C or SMBUS. After scanning, host 120 can learn that the Layer 1 devices of server 110_1 are devices 111 and 112. Host 120 further learns that device 111 is a first-type device and device 112 is a second-type device. In step S120, host 120 records the address of device 111. In step S130, host 120 defines device 112 as a parent node (or root node). Next, host 120 scans the Layer 2 devices connected to the node in a recursive manner. In other words, the host 120 scans the second-layer devices (i.e., devices 113 to 115) connected to the node (i.e., device 112) to determine the type of the second-layer device, records the address of the first type of device detected, defines the second type of device as a node, and scans the third-layer devices connected to the node, and so on.

[0036] Specifically, host 120 determines that device 113 is a first-type device, and devices 114 and 115 are second-type devices. Therefore, host 120 records the address of device 113. Furthermore, host 120 defines device 114 as the first child node of a second-layer device and device 115 as the second child node of a second-layer device. Therefore, host 120 shuts down device 115 through the communication interface and recursively scans the third-layer devices (i.e., devices 116 and 117) connected to device 114. Next, host 120 shuts down device 114 through the communication interface and recursively scans the third-layer devices (i.e., device 118) connected to device 115. In this way, the addresses of all first-type devices (i.e., devices 111, 113, 116-118) can be quickly recorded.

[0037] Please also refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a webpage interface according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, host 120 can provide webpage interface 200. Webpage interface 200 includes a server field 210 and a server address field 220. The server field 210 and server address field 220 can be edited to provide selection instructions. Host 120 receives selection instructions to select one of servers 110_1 to 110_3 as the selected server. The server address may be, for example, an Internet Protocol address.

[0038] In this embodiment, the web interface 200 also includes a scan layer number field 230 and a scan key B1. The scan layer number field 230 can be edited to provide scan layer number instructions. The host 120 will scan multiple devices in the selected server based on the scan layer number instructions.

[0039] In this embodiment, the host 120 obtains the scan layer number based on the scan layer number command, and scans the devices in the selected server at that scan layer number in a recursive manner based on the scan layer number. For example, a user can enter "2" in the scan layer number field 230 and select the scan key B1. The web interface 200 is operated to provide the scan layer number command corresponding to the scan layer number being 2. Therefore, the host 120 obtains the scan layer number equal to 2 based on the scan layer number command. Based on the scan layer number, the host 120 scans the first layer devices and the second layer devices in the selected server in a recursive manner.

[0040] In this embodiment, the web interface 200 also includes a BMC field 240, a filename field 250, a scan results window 260, and a download button B2. In some scenarios, the BMC model recorded in the BMC field 240 and the filename recorded in the filename field 250 can be preset. Therefore, the results and / or syntax of the scan results window 260 will match the firmware design of the same BMC model. Once the download button B2 is selected, the filename of the scan results will be set to the filename recorded in the filename field 250.

[0041] In some scenarios, users can decide to scan selected servers based on different BMC firmware designs. Users can enter the selected BMC model into the BMC field 240 and click the scan button B1. The results and / or syntax in the scan results window 260 will match the firmware design of the selected BMC.

[0042] In some situations, the filename recorded in filename field 250 can be modified. Users can enter their desired filename in filename field 250.

[0043] In some embodiments, at least one of the server field 210, server address field 220, scan layer number field 230, BMC field 240, and file name field 250 may be designed as a drop-down menu.

[0044] Incidentally, this embodiment can utilize the web interface 200 to provide the device detection method and the settings for the device detection system 100. The web interface 200 of this embodiment allows users to quickly become familiar with it. Therefore, the web interface 200 of this embodiment also more quickly determines the physical device configuration design of the server, thereby shortening the development time of the BMC. In addition, the design of the scan layer number field 230 can shorten the scanning time.

[0045] In this embodiment, the scan result window 260 can display the scan results based on steps S110 to S130, thereby generating a tree diagram of the devices. Each node in the tree diagram records information ND1 to ND3 of the second type of device (e.g., a multiplexer), such as an address or model number. Information LF1 to LF5 outside the nodes represents information of the first type of device (e.g., a sensor), such as an address or model number. The aforementioned information ND1 to ND3 and LF1 to LF5 can be represented, for example, as text or images. For example, in the first layer of the tree diagram, information LF1 corresponds to device 111. Information ND1 corresponds to device 112. In the second layer of the tree diagram, information LF2 corresponds to device 113. Information ND2 corresponds to device 115. Information ND3 corresponds to device 114. In the scan result window 260, information LF2, ND2, and ND3 are connected to information ND1 via a channel. This indicates that devices 113 to 115 are respectively connected to device 112. In the third level of the tree diagram, information LF3 corresponds to device 118. Information LF4 corresponds to device 116. Information LF5 corresponds to device 117. In the scan result window 260, information LF3 is connected to information ND2 via a channel. This indicates that device 118 is connected to device 115. In the scan result window 260, information LF3 is connected to information ND2 via a channel. This indicates that devices 116 and 117 are connected to device 114. Therefore, the information displayed in the scan result window 260 corresponds to the configuration relationship of devices 111 to 118.

[0046] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a device detection method according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the host 120 performs multiple operations based on steps S210 to S290. In step S210, the host 120 receives at least a selection instruction and a scan layer number instruction. In this embodiment, the host 120 can provide a web page interface 200. The selection instruction and the scan layer number instruction can be generated by operating the web page interface 200. In step S220, the host 120 selects a server based on the selection instruction. In step S230, the host 120 initializes the N value to make the N value equal to 1, and scans the Nth layer device (i.e., the 1st layer device) in the selected server. Step S230 is executed after the scan key B1 is selected. In step S240, the host 120 records the address of a first type device in the Nth layer device. In step S250, the host 120 defines a second type device in the Nth layer device as a node.

[0047] In step S260, the host 120 determines whether the value of N is equal to the number of scan layers based on the scan layer number instruction. When the value of N is not equal to the number of scan layers, the host 120 increments the value of N by 1 in step S270 and scans the Nth layer device connected to the node in step S280. That is, the host 120 scans the second layer device of the second type of device connected to the first layer device. Next, it proceeds to step S240. Therefore, the host 120 performs a recursive operation based on the step loop formed by steps S240 to S280 until the value of N is equal to the number of scan layers.

[0048] When the host 120 determines in step S260 that the N value is equal to the number of scanned layers, the host 120 will end the scan and save the data in step S290.

[0049] In summary, the host of this invention records the address of a first type of device among the detected layer N devices. The host defines a second type of device among the layer N devices as a node and scans for at least one layer N+1 device corresponding to a node. In this way, the physical device configuration of the server can be quickly determined, thereby shortening the development time of the BMC. Furthermore, this invention can utilize a web interface to provide the device detection method and the settings of the device detection system. The web interface of this embodiment is easy for users to quickly familiarize themselves with. Therefore, the web interface of this embodiment also allows for faster determination of the physical device configuration design of the server.

[0050] Of course, the present invention may have other various embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications according to the present invention, but these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device detection method for detecting multiple devices of at least one server and a baseboard management controller for developing the at least one server, characterized in that, include: A host selects one of the at least one servers as a selected server, and scans at least one layer N device of the selected server through a communication interface; Based on a scan layer number, the Nth layer device in the selected server is scanned in a recursive manner according to the scan layer number; Record the address of at least one first-type device in the at least one Nth-layer device; At least one second-type device in the at least one Nth layer device is defined as a node, and at least one N+1th layer device corresponding to the node is scanned, wherein the at least one second-type device is a multiplexer. as well as The at least one second type device detected in the at least one N+1 layer device is defined as a child node, and the at least one N+2 layer device corresponding to the child node is scanned, and so on. Where N is a positive integer.

2. The device detection method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one of the first type of devices is a sensing device.

3. The device detection method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The sensing device is one of a temperature sensor, a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a speed sensor for a fan.

4. The device detection method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The steps of selecting one of the at least one servers by the host as the selected server and scanning the at least one layer N device of the selected server through the communication interface include: Receive a selection command from a web interface; and Select the chosen server based on this selection instruction.

5. The device detection method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive a scan layer number instruction from a web page interface; The number of scan layers is obtained based on the scan layer number instruction.

6. A device detection system for developing a baseboard management controller for at least one server, characterized in that, include: The server comprises at least one unit, each including multiple devices; as well as A host communicates with at least one server via a communication interface, configured to: Select one of the at least one servers as a selected server, and scan at least one layer N device of the selected server through the communication interface; Based on a scan layer number, the Nth layer device in the selected server is scanned in a recursive manner according to the scan layer number; Record the address of at least one first-type device in the at least one Nth-layer device; as well as At least one second-type device in the at least one Nth layer device is defined as a node, and at least one N+1th layer device corresponding to the node is scanned, wherein the at least one second-type device is a multiplexer. The at least one second type device detected in the at least one N+1 layer device is defined as a child node, and the at least one N+2 layer device corresponding to the child node is scanned, and so on. Where N is a positive integer.

7. The device detection system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The at least one of the first type of devices is a sensing device.

8. The device detection system as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The sensing device is one of a temperature sensor, a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a speed sensor for a fan.

9. The device detection system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The host receives a selection instruction from a web interface and selects the chosen server based on the selection instruction.

10. The device detection system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The host receives a scan layer number instruction from a web page interface and obtains the scan layer number based on the scan layer number instruction.

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