Management daughter card operation system of reinforced server mainboard

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of electronic information, and provides a management daughter card operation system of a reinforced server mainboard, which comprises a mainboard and a management daughter card, the mainboard comprises an onboard mcu, the management daughter card comprises a flash chip, and the management daughter card is connected to a slot in the mainboard in a pluggable mode; wherein the onboard mcu configuration is used for circularly detecting fixed address data in the flash chip; and in response to the detected valid data, skipping to a flash running application program in the flash chip. By adopting the design of the pluggable management daughter card, the management daughter card is convenient to replace or upgrade, and the whole reinforced server mainboard does not need to be replaced. The cyclic detection mechanism between the onboard MCU and the flash chip of the management daughter card ensures the correct execution of the function of the management daughter card. By expanding the peripheral interface of the flash chip to the management daughter card carrier plate, the high requirement of the reinforced server on the management function can be met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electronic information, and in particular to a management subcard operation system for reinforcing a server mainboard. Background Art

[0002] The reinforced server management daughter card is used in reinforced server products. It collects and reports the relevant operating status (including temperature, voltage, current, etc.) of the reinforced server by running the program on the daughter card, and can realize information interaction with the host computer through the peripheral port. Due to the reinforced structure of the reinforced server itself and the heat dissipation characteristics of the product, the status acquisition of the traditional reinforced server generally uses the onboard MCU to collect the mainboard information and then send it to the BMC or directly interact with the host. In this way, the onboard MCU will be erased and written many times during the entire development and debugging process. For the server, there are generally many collection and processing functions, and the development and debugging process cycle is long. Repeated erasing of the onboard MCU will reduce the service life of the MCU. If new functions need to be added to the daughter card in the later stage, the reinforced server needs to be disassembled and assembled on a large scale, which affects the heat dissipation performance of the machine and leads to reduced stability. When the onboard MCU hardware itself fails, replacing the new onboard MCU requires disassembly and assembly of the machine, and manual welding of the new MCU is also required, which requires a lot of manpower and working hours, increasing the later maintenance cost. Summary of the invention

[0003] Based on the above purpose, the present invention proposes a management subcard operation system for reinforcing a server mainboard, comprising: a mainboard and a management subcard; The mainboard includes an onboard MCU, the management subcard includes a flash chip, and the management subcard is pluggably connected to a slot on the mainboard; The onboard MCU is configured to: cyclically detect fixed address data in the flash chip; in response to detecting valid data, jump to the flash running application in the flash chip.

[0004] In some embodiments, the onboard MCU is further configured to: The fixed address data is matched with the data preset by the onboard MCU, and the fixed address data with successful matching is selected as the valid data.

[0005] In some embodiments, the onboard MCU is further configured to: In response to no valid data being detected, the fixed address data in the flash chip is continuously detected in a loop.

[0006] In some embodiments, the onboard MCU is further configured to: When the detection process exceeds the preset time or the preset number of times and no valid data is detected, an error message is generated and uploaded.

[0007] In some embodiments, the onboard MCU is further configured to: In response to valid data being detected, a security check is performed on the valid data, and if the check passes, the application is jumped to the flash in the flash chip to run the application.

[0008] In some embodiments, a management daughter card interface circuit is provided inside the slot on the mainboard, and the management daughter card is connected to the management daughter card interface circuit by matching the FLASH connector pins with the contact points inside the slot, and is further connected to the onboard MCU through the management daughter card interface circuit.

[0009] In some embodiments, the management daughter card includes a programming port for receiving data to be programmed when a new function is added.

[0010] In some embodiments, the mainboard further includes a heat sink; The heat sink has an opening at a position corresponding to the slot for plugging and unplugging the management subcard.

[0011] In some embodiments, the onboard MCU is further configured to: Detecting the temperature of the management subcard; In response to the temperature exceeding a threshold, the management daughter card is cooled by a heat sink.

[0012] In some embodiments, the onboard MCU is further configured to: In response to the abnormality of the management daughter card, a notification is issued to plug and unplug the management daughter card and replace it with a new one.

[0013] The present invention has at least the following beneficial technical effects: The present invention proposes a management subcard operation system for a reinforced server motherboard, comprising: a motherboard and a management subcard; the motherboard comprises an onboard MCU, the management subcard comprises a flash chip, and the management subcard is pluggable and connected to a slot on the motherboard; wherein the onboard MCU is configured to: cyclically detect fixed address data in the flash chip; in response to detecting valid data, jump to the flash operation application in the flash chip. The present invention adopts a pluggable management subcard design, so that users can easily replace or upgrade the management subcard without replacing the entire reinforced server motherboard. The cyclic detection mechanism between the onboard MCU and the flash chip of the management subcard ensures the correct execution of the management subcard function, and the interface design and the opening processing of the heat sink structure on the reinforced server motherboard further improve the stability and heat dissipation performance of the system. When the management subcard function needs to be upgraded, the user only needs to replace the new management subcard without making any modifications to the reinforced server motherboard, thereby simplifying the process of system upgrade and maintenance. By extending the peripheral interface of the flash chip to the management subcard carrier board, the system can meet the high requirements of the reinforced server for management functions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other embodiments can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0015] Figure 1 A module diagram of a management subcard operating system for a reinforced server motherboard provided by the present invention; Figure 2 A flowchart of an embodiment of a management subcard operation system for reinforcing a server motherboard provided by the present invention; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of a computer device provided by the present invention; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of a computer-readable storage medium provided by the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the embodiments of the present invention are further described in detail below in combination with specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] It should be noted that all expressions using "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present invention are for distinguishing two non-identical entities with the same name or non-identical parameters. It can be seen that "first" and "second" are only for the convenience of expression and should not be understood as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention. The subsequent embodiments will not explain this one by one.

[0018] The present invention proposes a management subcard operation system for reinforcing a server motherboard, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 , including: main board and management daughter card; The mainboard includes an onboard MCU, the management subcard includes a flash chip, and the management subcard is pluggably connected to a slot on the mainboard; The onboard MCU is configured to: cyclically detect fixed address data in the flash chip; in response to detecting valid data, jump to the flash running application in the flash chip.

[0019] The present invention is designed to reinforce the server mainboard and a pluggable management sub-card. When the management sub-card needs to be replaced, the sub-card is directly replaced by plugging and unplugging. At the same time, considering the heat dissipation characteristics of the reinforced server, an opening for plugging and unplugging the management sub-card is opened at the corresponding position of the cold plate of the reinforced server, which is convenient for replacing the management sub-card and upgrading the software. At the same time, it can interact with the host computer, and on this basis, the management sub-card can be upgraded online by the host computer in the future. Through the above two methods, the MCU on the server mainboard is fixed after being programmed once, and the subsequent flashing and function addition and modification debugging are only performed in the flash on the management sub-card, which minimizes the hardware life of the mainboard MCU caused by excessive flashing. At the same time, the hardware problems that may occur in the management sub-card can be replaced with a new management sub-card by directly plugging and unplugging, reducing the later maintenance costs generated by the reinforced server.

[0020] The present invention adopts a pluggable management subcard design, so users can easily replace or upgrade the management subcard without replacing the entire reinforced server motherboard. The loop detection mechanism between the onboard MCU and the flash chip of the management subcard ensures the correct execution of the management subcard function. The interface design on the reinforced server motherboard and the opening treatment of the heat sink structure further improve the stability and heat dissipation performance of the system. When the management subcard function needs to be upgraded, the user only needs to replace the new management subcard without making any modifications to the reinforced server motherboard. This greatly simplifies the process of system upgrades and maintenance. By extending the peripheral interface of the flash chip to the management subcard carrier board, the system can meet the high requirements of the reinforced server for management functions.

[0021] Flash (Flash EEPROM Memory) is a type of storage chip, and the data inside can be modified through a specific program. FLASH in this invention means Flash Memory. Flash memory, also known as flash memory, combines the advantages of ROM and RAM. It not only has the performance of electronic erasable programmable (EEPROM), but also can read data quickly (the advantage of NVRAM), so that data will not be lost due to power failure.

[0022] MCU (Microcontroller Unit), a single-chip microcomputer, abbreviated as MCU.

[0023] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the onboard MCU is further configured to: The fixed address data is matched with the data preset by the onboard MCU, and the fixed address data with successful matching is selected as the valid data.

[0024] By matching preset data with fixed address data, it ensures that only accurate and expected data is identified as valid data, thereby reducing data errors or misjudgments, improving data reliability and accuracy, and enabling the system to handle subsequent tasks more accurately.

[0025] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the onboard MCU is further configured to: In response to no valid data being detected, the fixed address data in the flash chip is continuously detected in a loop.

[0026] By continuously looping and detecting the FLASH chip and finding the matching fixed address data, the correctness and integrity of the data can be ensured to the greatest extent. System errors or functional failures caused by missing or incorrect data are avoided. When faced with data reading failure, it automatically retries and searches for the correct data, enhancing the robustness and fault tolerance of the system. Even if there is an occasional data reading problem, the system can resume normal operation.

[0027] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the onboard MCU is further configured to: When the detection process exceeds the preset time or the preset number of times and no valid data is detected, an error message is generated and uploaded.

[0028] The system can respond quickly and generate error information when it fails to detect valid data within a preset time or number of times. The instant feedback mechanism helps to detect potential problems in a timely manner to prevent the failure from further expanding or causing the system to crash. Error information is actively sent to the host computer, allowing administrators or operators to quickly understand the current status of the system. The active reporting mechanism reduces the need for manual monitoring and improves the efficiency and accuracy of fault detection.

[0029] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the onboard MCU is further configured to: In response to valid data being detected, a security check is performed on the valid data, and if the check passes, the application is jumped to the flash in the flash chip to run the application.

[0030] The matching process adds a data verification link, which improves the reliability and accuracy of the data. Through data matching, illegal data that does not meet the preset standards or poses security risks can be prevented from entering the system, thereby ensuring the security of the system.

[0031] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 A management daughter card interface circuit is arranged inside the slot on the main board. The management daughter card is connected to the management daughter card interface circuit by matching the FLASH connector pins with the contact points inside the slot, and is further connected to the onboard MCU through the management daughter card interface circuit.

[0032] The data path formed by the management subcard interface circuit between the management subcard and the reinforced server motherboard can achieve high-speed, bidirectional data transmission. The onboard MCU can quickly detect the valid data in the flash chip and quickly jump to the flash to run the application. Through the detection mechanism of preset time and preset number of times, the system can automatically determine whether there is valid data in the flash chip and start the corresponding application accordingly, which simplifies the startup process, reduces the need for human intervention, and improves the automation of the system.

[0033] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The management subcard includes a programming port for receiving data to be programmed when a new function is added.

[0034] When new functions are needed, there is no need to replace the entire management daughter card. You only need to update it through the programming port on the carrier board or the host computer, which enables the system to quickly adapt to changes in business or technology. Compared with replacing the entire hardware, expanding functions only through software updates can significantly reduce upgrade costs.

[0035] The main program only needs to be programmed once on the onboard MCU, which simplifies the programming process. The main program is responsible for the system initialization, task scheduling, resource management and other core functions. Once written and verified to be correct, it usually does not need to be changed frequently. Other non-core functions or variable parts of the program can be stored in the Flash chip and flexibly programmed as needed. This not only retains the programming flexibility of the MCU, but also avoids the potential risks brought by frequent changes to the main program.

[0036] Frequent programming of the MCU may cause certain wear and tear on it, affecting its stability and lifespan. Transferring most of the programming work to the Flash chip can reduce the number of times the MCU is programmed, thereby improving its stability and reliability. By storing the main program in the MCU and the variable part in the Flash chip, a reasonable allocation of resources can be achieved. The storage space of the MCU is limited and precious, and using it to store the core program can ensure its efficient operation. Flash chips are cheaper than MCUs and are easy to replace and upgrade. Storing the variable part in the Flash chip can reduce costs and facilitate subsequent program updates and expansions.

[0037] Online updates or flash updates simplify the cumbersome process of traditional hardware replacement, reduce manual intervention, and improve operational efficiency. Online updates can be performed without interrupting system operation, thereby minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity.

[0038] The purpose of the present invention is, on the one hand, to reduce the problem of reduced service life caused by multiple erasing and programming of the onboard MCU during the debugging and development cycle. Under the condition of meeting the heat dissipation of the reinforced server, a pluggable management daughter card is designed to complete the functions of information collection and control of the reinforced server; on the other hand, when subsequent software functions need to be debugged and expanded or the management daughter card hardware is damaged, it can be directly replaced with a new burned management daughter card by plugging and unplugging, eliminating other structural problems caused by disassembling and assembling the server.

[0039] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the mainboard also includes a heat sink; The heat sink has an opening at a position corresponding to the slot for plugging and unplugging the management subcard.

[0040] The opening design allows administrators to easily plug and unplug the management subcard without removing the entire heat sink, simplifying the subcard replacement process and reducing maintenance time and cost. When a system failure occurs, the administrator can quickly access the management subcard through the opening to troubleshoot and repair the fault, improving the system's maintainability and fault recovery speed.

[0041] The opening design ensures that the heat dissipation channel between the heat sink and the slot is unobstructed. This allows the heat generated by the management daughter card during operation to be dissipated in a timely manner, maintaining the stable operation of the system. By optimizing the design of the heat dissipation channel, the opening can improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat sink, reduce the operating temperature of the management daughter card, extend its service life, and improve the overall performance of the system.

[0042] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the onboard MCU is further configured to: Detecting the temperature of the management subcard; In response to the temperature exceeding a threshold, the management daughter card is cooled by a heat sink.

[0043] When the management daughter card works within the appropriate temperature range, it can maintain the best performance. By taking cooling measures, the management daughter card is ensured not to be overheated, so that it can process tasks more efficiently and improve the overall performance of the system. Overheating can cause the performance of the management daughter card to decline, which in turn affects the operating efficiency of the entire system. By taking cooling measures, overheating can be prevented, the risk of performance degradation can be reduced, and the system can continue to operate efficiently.

[0044] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the onboard MCU is further configured to: In response to the abnormality of the management daughter card, a notification is issued to plug and unplug the management daughter card and replace it with a new one.

[0045] When a management subcard is abnormal, the system can quickly identify it and issue a replacement notice. The administrator takes timely action to prevent the fault from escalating further, reducing the risk of system downtime and business interruption. By replacing the abnormal management subcard in time, potential performance degradation, data loss, or system crash can be prevented. Maintain the stability and reliability of the system and ensure continuous business operation.

[0046] The present invention makes the management subcard of the reinforced server into a pluggable mode and cooperates with the onboard MCU to complete the management subcard function. The flash chip on the pluggable management subcard stores and runs the relevant functional programs of the management subcard. The onboard MCU runs the main program through software programming. At the same time, the fixed address data of the management subcard flash is cyclically detected and jumped to the management subcard flash to run the application program, and the peripheral interface of the flash of the management subcard is extended to the management subcard carrier board to meet the functional requirements of the management subcard of the reinforced server; for the reinforced server mainboard, a corresponding interface is designed on the mainboard, and the corresponding position of the heat sink structure is opened to meet the update of the management subcard flash program or the replacement of the management subcard without disassembling the server; the management subcard with a pluggable design also provides better convenience for the functional development and debugging of subsequent software.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the structure diagram shows the structure of the reinforced server motherboard and management daughter card. The physical structure of the management daughter card of the reinforced server is to extend the pin function (including burning and data interaction, etc.) of the fixed model flash to the carrier board, and realize the connection with the reinforced server motherboard through a certain connection protocol. The cold plate of the reinforced server is designed with openings, so that the management daughter card can be replaced without disassembling the server while ensuring heat dissipation.

[0048] Connect the management daughter card with the executable program to the reinforced server motherboard and then start the whole machine. The flowchart of the program operation is as follows: Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the onboard MCU with the burned program runs after power-on. The running MCU program cyclically reads the fixed address data of the detection management sub-card and determines whether it matches the data set by the main program. If the read data does not match, the main program continues to cyclically run the detection. The cyclic detection timeout time or the number of detections can be set. If the detection is unsuccessful within the set time or number of times, the error message is sent to the host computer; after verification, the main program can jump to the management sub-card to complete subsequent application functions.

[0049] On the one hand, the MCU detection mechanism of the mainboard can ensure that the data in the management sub-card is not empty. On the other hand, if there is a project that needs to add a security verification mechanism, the onboard MCU and the management sub-card can be security verified. Only after passing the verification can the program of the management sub-card be allowed to jump and run, which ensures the uniqueness and security of the management sub-card. In this way, the onboard MCU and the management sub-card are separated. The onboard MCU is only burned once, which reduces the problem of reduced MCU life due to frequent erasing. When new functions need to be added to the management sub-card, the new functions can be modified through the burning port on the carrier board, or the management sub-card can be updated online through the host computer. When there is a problem with the hardware of the management sub-card, a new management sub-card can be replaced by plugging and unplugging when the power is off. In this way, the management sub-card function update and hardware replacement can be completed without disassembling the machine.

[0050] Based on the same inventive concept, according to another aspect of the present invention, Figure 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer device 30, which includes a processor 310 and a memory 320. The memory 320 stores a computer program 321 that can be run on the processor. When the processor 310 executes the program, the above system is executed.

[0051] Based on the same inventive concept, according to another aspect of the present invention, Figure 4 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium 40, which stores a computer program 410 for executing the above system when executed by a processor.

[0052] The embodiment of the present invention may also include a corresponding computer device. The computer device includes a memory, at least one processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. When the processor executes the program, the above system is executed.

[0053] Among them, the memory, as a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, can be used to store non-volatile software programs, non-volatile computer executable programs and modules, such as program instructions / modules in the embodiments of the present application. The processor executes various functional applications and data processing of the device by running the non-volatile software programs, instructions and modules stored in the memory, that is, realizing the above-mentioned system.

[0054] The memory may include a program storage area and a data storage area, wherein the program storage area may store an operating system, an application required for at least one function; the data storage area may store data created according to the use of the device, etc. In addition, the memory may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, a flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid-state storage device. In an embodiment, the memory may optionally include a memory remotely arranged relative to the processor, and these remote memories may be connected to the local module via a network. Examples of the above-mentioned network include, but are not limited to, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network, a mobile communication network, and combinations thereof.

[0055] Finally, it should be noted that a person skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the above embodiments can be implemented by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program, and the program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it can include the processes in the above embodiments. Among them, the storage medium of the program can be a disk, an optical disk, a read-only storage memory ROM or a random access memory RAM, etc. The above computer program embodiment can achieve the same or similar effects as any of the above embodiments corresponding thereto.

[0056] It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, circuits and algorithm steps described in conjunction with the disclosure herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software or a combination of the two. In order to clearly illustrate the interchangeability of hardware and software, a general description has been given of the functions of various schematic components, blocks, modules, circuits and steps. Whether the function is implemented as software or hardware depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the entire system. Those skilled in the art can implement the function in various ways for each specific application, but the implementation decision should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0057] The above are exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present invention, but it should be noted that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments disclosed in the present invention as defined in the claims. The functions, steps and / or actions of the claims according to the disclosed embodiments described herein do not need to be performed in any particular order. The serial numbers of the embodiments disclosed in the above embodiments of the present invention are for description only and do not represent the advantages and disadvantages of the embodiments. In addition, although the elements disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention may be described or required in individual form, they may also be understood as multiple unless explicitly limited to the singular.

[0058] It should be understood that, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly supports an exception. It should also be understood that, as used herein, "and / or" refers to any and all possible combinations including one or more of the associated listed items.

[0059] A person skilled in the art should understand that the discussion of any of the above embodiments is only exemplary and is not intended to imply that the scope of the disclosure of the embodiments of the present invention (including the claims) is limited to these examples; under the concept of the embodiments of the present invention, the technical features in the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, and there are many other changes in different aspects of the above embodiments of the present invention, which are not provided in detail for the sake of simplicity. Therefore, any omissions, modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the embodiments of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A management subcard operation system for reinforcing a server motherboard, characterized in that: include: Mainboard and management daughter card; The mainboard includes an onboard MCU, the management subcard includes a flash chip, and the management subcard is pluggably connected to a slot on the mainboard; The onboard MCU is configured to: cyclically detect fixed address data in the flash chip; in response to detecting valid data, jump to the flash running application in the flash chip.

2. The management subcard operation system for reinforcing a server motherboard according to claim 1, characterized in that: The onboard MCU is further configured to: The fixed address data is matched with the data preset by the onboard MCU, and the fixed address data with successful matching is selected as the valid data.

3. The management subcard operation system for reinforcing a server motherboard according to claim 1, characterized in that: The onboard MCU is further configured to: In response to no valid data being detected, the fixed address data in the flash chip is continuously detected in a loop.

4. The management subcard operation system for reinforcing a server motherboard according to claim 1, characterized in that: The onboard MCU is further configured to: When the detection process exceeds the preset time or the preset number of times and no valid data is detected, an error message is generated and uploaded.

5. The management subcard operation system for reinforcing a server motherboard according to claim 1, characterized in that: The onboard MCU is further configured to: In response to valid data being detected, a security check is performed on the valid data, and if the check passes, the application is jumped to the flash in the flash chip to run the application.

6. The management subcard operation system for reinforcing a server motherboard according to claim 1, characterized in that: A management subcard interface circuit is provided inside the slot on the mainboard. The management subcard matches the contact points inside the slot through the FLASH connector pins, is connected to the management subcard interface circuit, and is further connected to the onboard MCU through the management subcard interface circuit.

7. The management subcard operation system for reinforcing a server motherboard according to claim 6, characterized in that: The management subcard comprises a programming port for receiving data to be programmed in case of adding a new function.

8. The management subcard operation system for reinforcing a server motherboard according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mainboard also includes a heat sink; The heat sink has an opening at a position corresponding to the slot for plugging and unplugging the management subcard.

9. The management subcard operation system for reinforcing a server motherboard according to claim 8, characterized in that: The onboard MCU is further configured to: Detecting the temperature of the management subcard; In response to the temperature exceeding a threshold, the management daughter card is cooled by a heat sink.

10. The management subcard operation system for reinforcing a server motherboard according to claim 1, characterized in that: The onboard MCU is further configured to: In response to the abnormality of the management daughter card, a notification is issued to plug and unplug the management daughter card and replace it with a new one.

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