Control method and system of multi-substrate management controller

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of servers, and discloses a control method and system of a multi-baseboard management controller, and the method comprises the following steps: S1, the BMC generates an access request for accessing a peripheral through an IPMB protocol; s2, judging whether more than two BMCs are included in a time interval to generate access requests to the peripheral or not; s3, if the access requests are generated by more than two BMCs in the time interval, setting the BMCs generating the access requests as candidate BMCs; s4, specifying one of the plurality of candidate BMCs as a main BMC, and generating a first access request by the main BMC; s5, setting the plurality of candidate BMCs except the main BMC as auxiliary BMCs; s6, the multiple auxiliary BMCs transmit the second access requests generated by the auxiliary BMCs to the main BMC through the IPMB protocol; and S7, after the main BMC collects the plurality of second access requests, the main BMC transmits the first access request and the plurality of second access requests to the peripheral. Through the mode, the defects in the background technology are overcome, and efficient operation and stability of the multi-substrate management controller system are ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of servers, and in particular to a control method and system for a multi-substrate management controller. Background Art

[0002] BMC (Baseboard Management Controller) is the core controller in the IPMI management platform, also known as the baseboard management controller. The management of each managed device by the system management software is achieved through communication with the BMC. BMC is very independent. It does not rely on the server's processor, BIOS or operating system to work. It has its own firmware, power supply, MAC address and network interface. It is an agentless management subsystem that runs independently in the system. It can still perform operations such as power on and off, information extraction, etc. when the operating system does not respond or is not loaded.

[0003] Among them, the traditional BMC accesses peripheral resources directly through I2C, without considering resource competition from other devices. However, in a multi-BMC system, there is an application scenario where one peripheral corresponds to multiple master devices. If they are accessed at the same time, resource competition and the inability to access the peripheral are likely to occur.

[0004] In view of this, how to provide a method for multiple BMCs to normally access peripherals becomes a problem that needs to be solved in a multi-BMC system. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a control method and system for a multi-baseboard management controller, avoiding resource competition and the situation that peripherals cannot be accessed in the background technology, overcoming the shortcomings of the background technology, and ensuring the efficient operation and stability of the multi-BMC system.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: A control method for a multi-baseboard management controller is applicable to a BMC control system, wherein the BMC control system includes a peripheral device and multiple BMCs, and includes the following steps: S1. The BMC generates an access request for accessing the peripheral device through an IPMB protocol; S2. Determine whether more than two BMCs generate the access request to the peripheral device within a time interval; S3. If more than two BMCs generate the access request to the peripheral device within the time interval, set the BMC with the access request as a candidate BMC; S4. One of the candidate BMCs is designated as the main BMC, and the access request generated by the main BMC is the first access request; S5. Multiple candidate BMCs except the main BMC are set as slave BMCs, and the access request generated by the slave BMC is the second access request; S6. Multiple slave BMCs transmit their respective second access requests for the peripherals to the main BMC through the IPMB protocol; S7. After the main BMC collects multiple second access requests, the main BMC transmits the first access request and multiple second access requests to the peripherals.

[0007] Preferably, S401. configure the candidate BMC that generates the access request within the time interval with a corresponding ID number; S402. obtain the ID number configured for each candidate BMC; and S403. set the candidate BMC with the smallest ID number as the master BMC.

[0008] Preferably, in the step S5, the step of setting the secondary BMC includes: S501. After excluding the candidate BMC with the smallest ID number, set the candidate BMC with the ID number as the secondary BMC.

[0009] Preferably, the following steps are also included: S8. A data storage module and an information interaction module are configured in the candidate BMC, the information interaction module is used to collect basic information related to the peripheral device and is also used to interact with the information interaction modules in other candidate BMCs, and the data storage module is used to store the basic information collected by the information interaction module.

[0010] Preferably, the candidate BMC configures the data storage module and the information interaction module through a PIPE mechanism.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention also provides the following technical solutions: A control system of a multi-baseboard management controller, comprising: a communication module, used to provide an IPMB protocol, so that multiple BMCs that generate an access request for accessing the peripheral device communicate through the IPMB protocol; a judgment module, used to judge whether more than two BMCs generate the access request to the peripheral device within a time interval; a candidate BMC setting module, if more than two BMCs send the access request to the peripheral device within the time interval, setting the BMC with the access request as a candidate BMC; a master BMC designation module, used to set multiple candidate BMCs as the master BMCs; One of the BMCs is designated as a master BMC, and the access request generated by the master BMC is a first access request; a slave BMC designation module is used to set multiple candidate BMCs except the master BMC as slave BMCs, and the access request generated by the slave BMC is a second access request; and an execution module is used for the multiple slave BMCs to transmit the respective second access requests for the peripherals to the master BMC through the IPMB protocol, and is also used for the master BMC to transmit the first access request and the multiple second access requests to the peripherals after the master BMC collects the multiple second access requests.

[0012] Preferably, the master BMC designation module is further used to: configure the candidate BMCs that generate the access request within the time interval with corresponding ID numbers; obtain the ID numbers configured for each candidate BMC; and set the candidate BMC with the smallest ID number as the master BMC.

[0013] Preferably, the secondary BMC designation module is further used for: after excluding the candidate BMC with the smallest ID number, setting the candidate BMC with the ID number as the secondary BMC.

[0014] Preferably, the candidate BMC setting module is also used to: configure a data storage module and an information interaction module in the candidate BMC, the information interaction module is used to collect basic information related to the peripheral device and is also used to interact with the information interaction modules in other candidate BMCs, and the data storage module is used to store the basic information collected by the information interaction module.

[0015] Preferably, the candidate BMC configures the data storage module and the information interaction module through a PIPE mechanism.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: providing a reliable and efficient control method and system for a multi-baseboard management controller, which can be applied to a system with multiple BMCs, has wide adaptability and operability, and this method and system can well reduce the complexity of the system, avoid resource competition and the situation where the peripheral 5 cannot be accessed in the background technology, and well improve the stability and work efficiency of the system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 A flow chart of a control method for a multi-substrate management controller; Figure 2 This is a flowchart of steps S401 to S403 in Example 1; Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the control system for the multi-baseboard management controller. Implementation

[0018] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0019] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0020] It should be understood that the orientation or position relationship indicated by terms such as "length", "width", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0021] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined. Example 1

[0022] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2The present invention provides a control method for a multi-baseboard management controller, which is applicable to a control system of a multi-baseboard management controller, wherein the control system of the multi-baseboard management controller includes peripherals and multiple BMCs, and the control method mainly includes the following steps: S1. The BMC generates an access request for accessing the peripherals through an IPMB protocol; S2. Determine whether more than two BMCs generate the access request within a time interval; S3. If more than two BMCs generate the access request within the time interval, set the BMC generating the access request as a candidate BMC. C; S4. designate one of the multiple candidate BMCs as the main BMC, and the access request generated by the main BMC is the first access request; S5. set the multiple candidate BMCs except the main BMC as slave BMCs, and the access request generated by the slave BMC is the second access request; S6. the multiple slave BMCs transmit the second access request generated by each to the main BMC through the IPMB protocol; S7. after the main BMC collects the multiple second access requests, the main BMC transmits the first access request and the multiple second access requests to the peripheral device.

[0023] For more details, see Figure 1In step S1, step S1 is to build an environment for multiple BMCs to communicate. Multiple BMCs communicate with each other through the IPMB protocol. IPMB (Intelligent Platform Management Bus) is a serial bus protocol used to manage and control various hardware devices in a computer system. The IPMB protocol can be used to achieve communication between multiple BMCs and peripherals. Among them, multiple BMCs will communicate with each other through methods such as network communication and interface communication. Then, the judgment process of step S2 occurs when multiple BMCs generate access requests to peripherals within the same time interval. When more than two BMCs generate access requests within the time interval, step S3 will be executed. In step S3, these BMCs that generate access requests are set as candidate BMCs. Then, step S4 and step S5 are performed to classify multiple candidate BMCs. The specific classification method is to designate one of the multiple candidate BMCs as the main BMC and set the multiple candidate BMCs other than the main BMC as the secondary BMCs. The access request generated by the main BMC is defined as the first access request, and the access request generated by the secondary BMC is defined as the second access request, and then step S6 is performed. In step S6, the multiple secondary BMCs transmit the second access requests generated by each of them to the main BMC through the IPMB protocol. Here, the main BMC completes the collection of the second access requests generated by all secondary BMCs, and then step S7 is performed. In step S7, after the main BMC collects the multiple second access requests, the main BMC transmits the first access request and the multiple second access requests to the peripheral device, so that all access requests are uniformly generated to the peripheral device through the main BMC, thereby avoiding resource competition caused by multiple BMCs accessing the peripheral device at the same time and causing access failure, overcoming the shortcomings in the background technology and ensuring the efficient operation and stability of the multi-BMC system. Among them, the time interval can be within a certain time period, such as within 5 seconds or within 2 seconds or even shorter. The shorter the time interval is set, the faster the response time of the BMC control system, and the higher the overall work efficiency. In addition, it can be known from the above steps that the communication between multiple BMCs follows the IPMB protocol. Assuming that multiple BMCs access the peripherals at this time, that is, the BMCs accessing the peripherals at this time all generate the above access requests, at this time, the control system will first set the BMC that generates the access request to the peripherals as a candidate BMC, and then determine the main BMC and the secondary BMC from the candidate BMCs, and finally make unified access requests to the peripherals through the main BMC to ensure the efficient operation and stability of the multi-BMC system, thereby avoiding resource competition and causing access failures. It is applicable to a variety of BMC systems and has wide adaptability and operability. This method can reduce complexity and improve system stability and work efficiency.

[0024] Also, see Figure 2 In this embodiment, in the step S4, the step of designating one of the plurality of candidate BMCs as the primary BMC includes: S401. configuring the candidate BMC that generates the access request within the time interval with a corresponding ID number; S402. obtaining the ID number configured for each candidate BMC; and S403. setting the candidate BMC with the smallest ID number as the primary BMC. Similarly, in the step S5, the step of setting the secondary BMC includes: S501. excluding the candidate BMC with the smallest ID number, setting the candidate BMC with the ID number as the secondary BMC. In detail, when setting the candidate BMC, in order to facilitate the determination of the primary BMC, the method provided here is to configure the ID number for the candidate BMC, and then set the primary BMC and the secondary BMC according to the ID number of the candidate BMC, so that the primary BMC and the secondary BMC can be quickly determined. At the same time, the method adopted is simple and convenient, and the system processing efficiency is high. For example: the candidate BMC with the smallest ID number can be set as the main BMC, and after excluding the candidate BMC with the smallest ID number, the other candidate BMCs with the ID number can be set as the sub-BMC, so as to achieve the setting of the main BMC and the sub-BMC to meet the execution of the subsequent steps S4 to S5. Moreover, through these steps, access control and management of multiple candidate BMCs when communicating with peripherals can be achieved. By configuring different ID numbers for the candidate BMCs, the BMC control system can identify each candidate BMC to perform ID numbering, and automatically specify the main BMC and the sub-BMC. This method can improve the reliability and work efficiency of the system and ensure the stable communication between each candidate BMC and the peripherals. In addition, through automatic identification and classification processing operations, the efficiency and real-time performance of the system can be ensured, and stable and consistent control and management can be provided for all candidate BMCs, which improves the management and operation efficiency of the system, thereby improving production efficiency and reliability, and optimizing the performance and price competitiveness of the system.

[0025] Further, according to the above steps S401-S404 and step S501, one of the preferred implementation modes is also listed in this embodiment: assuming that there are three BMCs that simultaneously access the same peripheral device to generate access requests, that is, the three BMCs are candidate BMCs, the three candidate BMCs are BMC1, BMC2 and BMC3, and the IPMB protocol is used for communication, wherein these BMCs are defaulted as candidate BMCs when they are started, at this time, the method of steps S401-S404 is used to configure an ID number for each BMC, "BMC1" is configured as ID number "001", "BMC2" is configured as ID number "002", and "BMC3" is configured as ID number "003", so the order at this time is BMC1, BMC2, BMC3. Therefore, according to the method of steps S401-S404 and step S501, the candidate BMC with the smallest ID number is set as the main BMC, that is, "BMC1" is set as the main BMC, and "BMC2" and "BMC3" are set as sub-BMCs, and finally the setting of the main BMC and the sub-BMC is completed.

[0026] Furthermore, since each candidate BMC uses the IPMB protocol to communicate with each other, the primary BMC and the secondary BMC can be determined by the BMC self-broadcasting method. For example: suppose that there are 3 BMCs that simultaneously access the same peripheral and generate access requests, and these BMCs are all defaulted to candidate BMCs when they are started. Then each candidate BMC will broadcast the ID number generated by the IPMB protocol, BMC1 is ID number 0, BMC2 is ID number 1, and BMC3 is ID number 2. At this time, since each candidate BMC can communicate with each other, they all know their own ID numbers. Therefore, the BMC with the smallest ID number is set as the primary BMC. From the above, it can be seen that the smallest ID number is ID number 0, that is, BMC1 is the primary BMC, so the remaining BMC2 and BMC3 are both secondary BMCs.

[0027] Next, in this embodiment, a data storage module and an information interaction module are configured in the candidate BMC, the information interaction module is used to collect basic information related to the peripheral device and is also used to exchange information with the information interaction modules in other candidate BMCs, and the data storage module is used to store the basic information collected by the information interaction module. Configuring the data storage module and the information interaction module in the candidate BMC can reduce the difficulty of program writing and reduce the effect of data interference.

[0028] Furthermore, the data storage module can store basic information related to peripherals collected by the information interaction module. The program only needs to obtain the required information from the data storage module without directly accessing the peripherals, thereby reducing the difficulty of program writing; and the information interaction module can collect basic information related to peripherals and interact with the information interaction modules in other candidate BMCs, so that data sharing and collaboration between candidate BMCs can be achieved, reducing direct access to peripherals in the program and reducing the risk of data interference. Therefore, through the cooperation of the data storage module and the information interaction module, real-time monitoring and control of multiple candidate BMCs and peripherals can be achieved, thereby reducing the judgment and processing of the peripheral status in program writing, reducing the complexity of program writing, and at the same time improving the reliability and stability of the program, optimizing the performance and price competitiveness of the system.

[0029] Furthermore, these candidate BMCs configure the data storage module and the information interaction module through a PIPE mechanism (pipe is a mechanism for inter-process communication. It allows the output of one process to directly become the input of another process, thereby realizing data transmission and collaborative work between processes). This configuration method greatly simplifies the configuration process. The PIPE mechanism can automate the configuration process of the data storage module and the information interaction module, reducing the workload of manual configuration, simplifying the configuration process, and improving the accuracy and reliability of the configuration. In addition, the configuration efficiency can be improved. The PIPE mechanism can realize the rapid configuration and deployment of the data storage module and the information interaction module, improving the efficiency and speed of configuration, and shortening the system's online time; finally, the configuration cost can be reduced: the PIPE mechanism can reduce the workload of manual configuration, reduce the configuration cost and human resource investment.

[0030] It should be noted that: in this embodiment, the peripheral device may be a PSU (power supply unit) or a Fan (fan) or a controller of a fan, and the controller is specifically used to generate a PWM signal and control the speed of the fan. Assuming that the peripheral device is a power supply, the basic information of the peripheral device is the working state of the power supply unit (PSU) or the power value, etc.; assuming that the peripheral device is a fan at this time, the basic information of the peripheral device is the speed or working state of the fan, etc.; assuming that the peripheral device is a controller of a fan at this time, the basic information of the peripheral device is the state information of the PWM signal in the controller at this time.

[0031] In summary, through the control method of a multi-baseboard management controller in Example 1, the function of multiple BMCs accessing the same peripheral at the same time can be realized while avoiding resource competition and the inability to access the peripherals in the background technology, thereby overcoming the shortcomings of the background technology and ensuring the efficient operation and stability of the multi-BMC system, thereby avoiding resource competition and access failure, which is conducive to improving work efficiency. Example 2

[0032] See also Figure 3 The present invention also provides a control system 100 of a multi-baseboard management controller, which includes a peripheral device 200 and multiple BMCs 300, wherein the BMC 300 determines whether more than two BMCs generate an access request for accessing the peripheral device through an IPMB protocol within a time interval; if more than two BMCs generate the access request within the time interval, the BMC 300 with the access request is set as a candidate BMC; the candidate BMCs include a main BMC and a sub-BMC, the access request generated by the main BMC is a first access request, and the access request generated by the sub-BMC is a second access request; the sub-BMCs transmit the second access request generated by each of them to the main BMC through the IPMB protocol; when the main BMC collects multiple second access requests, the main BMC transmits the first access request and multiple second access requests to the peripheral device. Furthermore, the detailed working principles and implemented functions of the above-mentioned BMCs such as the candidate BMC, the master BMC and the slave BMC are all described in Embodiment 1, which will not be repeated here.

[0033] Next, the IPMB (Intelligent Platform Management Bus) protocol, the IPMB protocol is a serial bus protocol used to manage and control various hardware devices in a computer system. The IPMB protocol can be used to achieve communication between multiple BMCs and peripherals. The specific communication steps are described in Example 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the candidate BMC that generates the access request within the time interval is configured with a corresponding ID number; the ID number configured for each candidate BMC is obtained; and the candidate BMC with the smallest ID number is set as the primary BMC. In addition, after excluding the candidate BMC with the smallest ID number, the candidate BMC with the ID number is set as the secondary BMC. The above-mentioned method steps for configuring ID numbers for multiple candidate BMCs and the method steps for specifying the primary BMC and the secondary BMC are described in Example 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0035] Furthermore, a data storage module and an information interaction module are configured in the candidate BMC, the information interaction module is used to collect basic information related to the peripheral device and is also used to exchange information with the information interaction modules in other candidate BMCs, and the data storage module is used to store the basic information collected by the information interaction module. The above-mentioned method steps and principles for configuring the candidate BMC as a data storage module and an information interaction module are described in Example 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0036] Furthermore, the peripheral device may be a PSU (power supply unit) or a Fan (fan) or a controller of a fan, which is specifically used to generate PWM signals and control the speed of the fan. Assuming that the peripheral device is a power supply, the basic information of the peripheral device is the working status of the power supply unit (PSU) or the power value, etc.; assuming that the peripheral device is a fan at this time, the basic information of the peripheral device is the speed or working status of the fan, etc.; assuming that the peripheral device is a controller of a fan at this time, the basic information of the peripheral device is the status information of the PWM signal in the controller at this time.

[0037] Furthermore, the candidate BMC configures the data storage module and the information interaction module through a PIPE mechanism. The method and principle of configuration through the PIPE mechanism are described in Example 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0038] In summary, through the control system of a multi-baseboard management controller in Example 2, it is possible to realize the function of multiple BMCs accessing the same peripheral at the same time while avoiding the resource competition and the inability to access the peripherals in the background technology, thereby overcoming the shortcomings of the background technology and ensuring the efficient operation and stability of the multi-BMC system, thereby avoiding resource competition and access failure, which is conducive to improving work efficiency.

[0039] According to the disclosure and teaching of the above description, those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs may also make changes and modifications to the above embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and described above, and some modifications and changes to the present invention should also fall within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention. In addition, although some specific terms are used in this specification, these terms are only for the convenience of description and do not constitute any limitation to the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for a multi-baseboard management controller, applicable to a control system of a multi-baseboard management controller, wherein the control system of the multi-baseboard management controller includes peripherals and multiple BMCs, and is characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1. The BMC generates an access request for accessing the peripheral device through an IPMB protocol; S2. Determine whether the access request is generated by more than two BMCs within a time interval; S3. If more than two BMCs generate the access request within the time interval, the BMC generating the access request is set as a candidate BMC; S4. designating one of the plurality of candidate BMCs as a master BMC, wherein the access request generated by the master BMC is a first access request; S5. setting the plurality of candidate BMCs other than the primary BMC as secondary BMCs, wherein the access request generated by the secondary BMC is a second access request; S6. The plurality of slave BMCs transmit the second access request generated by each of them to the master BMC via the IPMB protocol; S7. After the master BMC collects the plurality of second access requests, the master BMC transmits the first access request and the plurality of second access requests to the peripheral device.

2. The control method of the multi-substrate management controller according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the step S4, the step of designating one of the plurality of candidate BMCs as the master BMC includes: S401. configuring a corresponding ID number for the candidate BMC that generates the access request within the time interval; S402. Obtain the ID number configured for each candidate BMC; and S403: Set the candidate BMC with the smallest ID number as the master BMC.

3. The control method of the multi-substrate management controller according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the step S5, the step of setting the secondary BMC includes: S501. After excluding the candidate BMC with the smallest ID number, set the candidate BMC with the ID number as the secondary BMC.

4. The control method of the multi-substrate management controller according to claim 1, characterized in that: The following steps are also included: S8. A data storage module and an information interaction module are configured in the candidate BMC, wherein the information interaction module is used to collect basic information related to the peripheral device and is also used to exchange information with the information interaction modules in other candidate BMCs, and the data storage module is used to store the basic information collected by the information interaction module.

5. The control method of the multi-substrate management controller according to claim 4, characterized in that: The candidate BMC configures the data storage module and the information interaction module through a PIPE mechanism.

6. A control system of a multi-substrate management controller, characterized in that: include: Peripherals and multiple BMCs, The BMC determines whether more than two BMCs generate an access request for accessing the peripheral device through an IPMB protocol within a time interval; If the BMC includes more than two BMCs generating the access request within the time interval, the BMCs with the access request are set as candidate BMCs; The candidate BMCs include a primary BMC and a secondary BMC, the access request generated by the primary BMC is a first access request, and the access request generated by the secondary BMC is a second access request; The slave BMCs transmit the second access requests generated by each of them to the master BMC via the IPMB protocol; After the master BMC collects a plurality of the second access requests, the master BMC transmits the first access request and the plurality of the second access requests to the peripheral device.

7. The control system of the multi-substrate management controller according to claim 6, characterized in that: Also includes: configuring a corresponding ID number for the candidate BMC that generates the access request within the time interval; Obtaining the ID number configured for each of the candidate BMCs; and The candidate BMC with the smallest ID number is set as the master BMC.

8. The control system of the multi-substrate management controller according to claim 7, characterized in that: Also includes: After excluding the candidate BMC with the smallest ID number, the candidate BMC with the ID number is set as the secondary BMC.

9. The control system of the multi-substrate management controller according to claim 6, characterized in that: The candidate BMC is configured with a data storage module and an information interaction module. The information interaction module is used to collect basic information related to the peripheral device and is also used to exchange information with the information interaction modules in other candidate BMCs. The data storage module is used to store the basic information collected by the information interaction module.

10. The control system of the multi-substrate management controller according to claim 9, characterized in that: The candidate BMC configures the data storage module and the information interaction module through a PIPE mechanism.

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