Circuit, method, equipment and medium for realizing sideband interface function of network controller

Abstract

The invention discloses a circuit, a method, equipment and a medium for realizing a sideband interface function of a network controller. The circuit comprises an Ethernet interface, an Ethernet protocol stack chip, a complex programmable logic device, a processor and a management controller, the Ethernet interface is in communication connection with the Ethernet protocol stack chip, the Ethernet protocol stack chip is in communication connection with the complex programmable logic device, and the complex programmable logic device is respectively in communication connection with the processor and the management controller. According to the technical scheme, an Ethernet protocol stack chip, a complex programmable logic device and a general micro control unit (MCU) serving as a BMC are combined to replace a PCIE interface Ethernet controller supporting the NC-SI function and a special BMC supporting the NC-SI function, the NC-SI function can be achieved, and the cost is lower than that of the PCIE interface Ethernet controller supporting the NC-SI function and that of the special BMC supporting the NC-SI function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a circuit, method, device, and medium for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller. Background Technology

[0002] When implementing Network Controller-Sideband Interface (NC-SI) functionality, conventional hardware architectures require careful selection of specific components. Typically, a network controller (i.e., a network interface card) that supports NC-SI functionality and a corresponding Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) are required.

[0003] From a hardware connectivity perspective, the network interface card (NIC) acts as a bridge for internal and external data exchange. Externally, it provides an Ethernet interface for connecting to external networks and enabling data communication with external devices. Internally, it connects to the CPU via a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) interface to achieve high-speed data transmission, meeting the system's data processing and computational needs. Simultaneously, the NIC also connects to the BMC (Browser Control Center) via an NC-SI interface, which is a crucial channel for enabling BMC management functions.

[0004] In terms of data transmission mechanisms, the network interface card (NIC) has the ability to automatically identify and process NC-SI packets. It can accurately send received NC-SI packets to the network controller (BMC), thus enabling the BMC and CPU to share a single physical network port. This function is crucial for system integration and resource optimization, allowing the BMC to manage and monitor the system without occupying additional network interfaces.

[0005] However, in practical applications, this conventional implementation method has some limitations. When the CPU's PCIe resources are limited, it cannot provide enough PCIe lanes for the network card, which will prevent the network card from transmitting data at high speed with the CPU, thus affecting the performance of the entire system and even preventing the NC-SI function from working properly. If the network card itself does not support the NC-SI function, it cannot communicate and interact effectively with the BMC, and the BMC will not be able to obtain the necessary network information to perform management functions. In addition, if the BMC does not support the Reduced Media Independent Interface (RMII), interface mismatch will occur when connecting and communicating with the network card, which will also make it difficult to implement the NC-SI function. These limitations bring certain challenges to the design and implementation of the system. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention provides a circuit, method, device, and medium for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller, thereby achieving NC-SI functionality and reducing implementation costs.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a circuit for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller is provided, comprising: an Ethernet interface, an Ethernet protocol stack chip, a complex programmable logic device, a processor, and a management controller;

[0008] The Ethernet interface communicates with the Ethernet protocol stack chip, the Ethernet protocol stack chip communicates with the complex programmable logic device, and the complex programmable logic device communicates with the processor and the management controller respectively.

[0009] In some alternative implementations, the Ethernet protocol stack chip and the Ethernet interface are connected via a media-dependent interface or a media-dependent interface cross-communication connection, and the Ethernet interface is a 10Mbps or 100Mbps adaptive Ethernet interface.

[0010] In some alternative implementations, the Ethernet protocol stack chip and the complex programmable logic device are connected via general purpose input / output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or universal asynchronous transceiver (UART).

[0011] In some alternative implementations, the complex programmable logic device communicates with the processor via general purpose input / output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or universal asynchronous transceiver (UART).

[0012] In some alternative implementations, the complex programmable logic device and the management controller are connected via general purpose input / output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or universal asynchronous transceiver (UART).

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller is provided, applied to a circuit for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller, the method comprising:

[0014] After the circuit implementing the network controller sideband interface function is powered on, the complex programmable logic device performs initialization. After initialization is completed, it generates chip initialization instructions and sends the initialization instructions to the Ethernet protocol stack chip.

[0015] The Ethernet protocol stack chip responds to the initialization command and initializes itself.

[0016] After a remote computer connects to an Ethernet protocol stack chip via an Ethernet interface, the Ethernet protocol stack chip receives Ethernet data frames sent by the remote computer and sends the Ethernet data frames to a complex programmable logic device.

[0017] Complex programmable logic devices send Ethernet data frames to a processor or management controller.

[0018] In some alternative implementations, the communication between the complex programmable logic device and the Ethernet protocol stack chip, processor, and management controller is at least one of GPIO, SPI, and UART.

[0019] In some alternative implementations, the complex programmable logic device transmits Ethernet data frames to a processor or management controller, including:

[0020] Complex programmable logic devices forward Ethernet data frames to a processor or management controller based on the type and destination address of the Ethernet data frame.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device comprising:

[0022] At least one processor;

[0023] and memory that is communicatively connected to at least one processor;

[0024] The memory stores a computer program that can be executed by at least one processor, which enables the at least one processor to perform a method for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller according to any embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores computer instructions for causing a processor to execute and implement a method for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller according to any embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] The technical solution of this invention provides a circuit for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller, including: an Ethernet interface, an Ethernet protocol chip, a complex programmable logic device (CPL), a processor, and a management controller. The Ethernet interface is communicatively connected to the Ethernet protocol chip, the Ethernet protocol chip is communicatively connected to the CPL, and the CPL is communicatively connected to the processor and the management controller, respectively. This technical solution combines the Ethernet protocol stack chip, the CPL, and a general-purpose microcontroller unit (MCU) as a BMC to replace the PCIe interface Ethernet controller and the dedicated BMC that support NC-SI functionality. It solves the technical problem that NC-SI functionality cannot be implemented when the CPU's PCIe resources are limited, the network card itself does not support NC-SI functionality, or the BMC does not support the RMII interface. It not only implements NC-SI functionality but also has a lower cost than the PCIe interface Ethernet controller and the dedicated BMC that support NC-SI functionality.

[0027] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the present invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller, provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a method for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller, provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device for implementing the method of realizing the sideband interface function of a network controller according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a circuit for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller, provided as an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the circuit includes an Ethernet interface, an Ethernet protocol stack chip, a complex programmable logic device, a processor, and a management controller.

[0035] In this embodiment of the invention, the Ethernet interface is communicatively connected to the Ethernet protocol stack chip, the Ethernet protocol stack chip is communicatively connected to the complex programmable logic device, and the complex programmable logic device is communicatively connected to the processor and the management controller, respectively, which can realize the NC-SI function.

[0036] The Ethernet interface is the physical channel for data exchange with external Ethernet networks. Through the Ethernet interface, external Ethernet data can enter the Ethernet protocol stack chip for processing and forwarding. For example, it can receive Ethernet data sent by a remote computer.

[0037] A Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) is a digital integrated circuit whose logic functions can be customized by the user according to their needs. Users can program the internal logic functions to implement various complex combinational and sequential logic functions, which can be used in hardware control, interface conversion, and other scenarios. The processor (Central Processing Unit, CPU) is used to execute instructions, perform logical operations, and other operations.

[0038] The management controller refers to the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC), which can be integrated onto the server motherboard for remote monitoring and management of the server. For example, it can monitor the server's hardware status in real time, such as temperature, voltage, and fan speed, and perform functions such as remote power on / off and firmware upgrades.

[0039] It should be noted that circuits implementing NC-SI functionality typically require a PCIe Ethernet controller that supports NC-SI and a dedicated BMC that also supports NC-SI. A PCIe Ethernet controller is a relatively complex and expensive piece of hardware, requiring compliance with both the PCIe interface specification and NC-SI requirements; a dedicated BMC is also designed for specific functions, and its research and development and production costs are relatively high.

[0040] In this embodiment of the invention, the circuit may include an Ethernet protocol stack chip that does not support NC-SI functionality, a small-scale CPLD, and a general-purpose MCU as a BMC. The Ethernet protocol stack chip is responsible for handling Ethernet protocol-related tasks, the small-scale CPLD is used for logic control and coordinating the interaction between various components, and the general-purpose MCU can manage the operation of the server. This combination utilizes relatively common and low-cost hardware components, eliminating the need for a PCIe interface Ethernet controller that supports NC-SI functionality and a dedicated BMC that supports NC-SI functionality. It can not only implement NC-SI functionality but also significantly reduce hardware costs.

[0041] In some embodiments, the Ethernet protocol stack chip and the Ethernet interface are connected via a media-dependent interface or a media-dependent interface cross-communication connection, and the Ethernet interface is a 10Mbps or 100Mbps adaptive Ethernet interface.

[0042] Among them, Medium Dependent Interface (MDI) and Medium Dependent Interface Crossover (MDIX) are interface standards for Ethernet connections. They can automatically negotiate the connection method and ensure normal data transmission between the Ethernet interface and the Ethernet protocol stack chip, whether it is a direct connection or a cross connection.

[0043] Furthermore, the Ethernet interface is a 10Mbps or 100Mbps adaptive Ethernet interface. The 10 / 100M adaptive Ethernet interface provided to the outside can automatically adjust according to the speed supported by the connected device, so that a stable connection can be achieved in both 10Mbps and 100Mbps network environments.

[0044] In this embodiment of the invention, the Ethernet protocol stack chip integrates support for multiple Ethernet protocols, including Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), Internet Protocol (IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Address Resolution Protocol (ARP), etc. These protocols are the foundation of Ethernet communication, enabling the Ethernet protocol stack chip to process complex Ethernet data.

[0045] In some embodiments, the Ethernet protocol stack chip and the complex programmable logic device are connected via general purpose input / output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or general purpose asynchronous transceiver (UART).

[0046] The Ethernet protocol stack chip is connected to the CPLD via General-Purpose Input / Output (GPIO), Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), and Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART).

[0047] In some embodiments, the complex programmable logic device and the processor are connected via general purpose input / output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or general purpose asynchronous transceiver (UART).

[0048] In some embodiments, the complex programmable logic device and the management controller are connected via general purpose input / output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or general purpose asynchronous transceiver (UART).

[0049] Specifically, the CPU connects to the CPLD via GPIO / SPI / UART, allowing the CPU to run the operating system and various applications. Through the connection with the CPLD, the CPU can acquire and process Ethernet data, and also send data to the Ethernet network.

[0050] The BMC can also connect to the CPLD via GPIO / SPI / UART. The BMC is mainly used for server management and monitoring, such as remote power on / off and monitoring server hardware status. In traditional designs, the BMC requires a dedicated, low-profile, independent RMII interface for network connectivity. However, in this embodiment, through the coordination of the CPLD, the BMC can share the network port with the CPU even without an RMII interface, thus achieving functionality similar to NC-SI.

[0051] Upon power-up, the CPLD first initializes itself, ensuring its logic circuits are in normal working order. Then, it initializes the Ethernet protocol stack chip, setting its operating parameters to enable it to process network data. During operation, the CPLD can control the behavior of the Ethernet protocol stack chip by sending commands, such as configuring the chip's operating mode and adjusting the data transmission rate. It is also responsible for establishing a connection between the CPU and the BMC, enabling data forwarding and interaction.

[0052] When the CPLD connects to the CPU and BMC, it processes and forwards data from the CPU or BMC appropriately according to the system's needs and configuration. For example, when the BMC needs to send management data to the network, the CPLD will pass the data from the BMC to the Ethernet protocol stack chip for transmission; when data arrives on the network, the CPLD will pass the data from the Ethernet protocol stack chip to the CPU and BMC respectively.

[0053] The technical solution of this invention provides a circuit for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller, including: an Ethernet interface, an Ethernet protocol chip, a complex programmable logic device (CPL), a processor, and a management controller. The Ethernet interface is communicatively connected to the Ethernet protocol chip, the Ethernet protocol chip is communicatively connected to the CPL, and the CPL is communicatively connected to the processor and the management controller, respectively. This technical solution combines the Ethernet protocol stack chip, the CPL, and a general-purpose microcontroller unit (MCU) as a BMC to replace the PCIe interface Ethernet controller and the dedicated BMC that support NC-SI functionality. It solves the technical problem that NC-SI functionality cannot be implemented when the CPU's PCIe resources are limited, the network card itself does not support NC-SI functionality, or the BMC does not support the RMII interface. It not only implements NC-SI functionality but also has a lower cost than the PCIe interface Ethernet controller and the dedicated BMC that support NC-SI functionality.

[0054] Figure 2This is a flowchart illustrating a method for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller, provided by an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is applicable to situations involving the implementation of the sideband interface function of a network controller, and the method can consist of a circuit that implements the sideband interface function of the network controller. Figure 2 As shown, the method specifically includes the following steps:

[0055] S210. After the circuit implementing the network controller sideband interface function is powered on, the complex programmable logic device performs initialization. After initialization is completed, it generates chip initialization instructions and sends the initialization instructions to the Ethernet protocol stack chip.

[0056] S220 Ethernet protocol stack chip responds to initialization command and initializes Ethernet protocol stack chip.

[0057] After the circuit is powered on, the CPLD first loads its own configuration program to initialize the internal logic gates, registers, etc. Then, the CPLD sends initialization commands to the Ethernet protocol stack chip through GPIO, SPI, or UART interfaces to set the chip's register values, such as setting the chip's operating mode to full-duplex or half-duplex, configuring the MAC address, etc., so that the chip can work normally.

[0058] S230. After the remote computer connects to the Ethernet protocol stack chip via the Ethernet interface, the Ethernet protocol stack chip receives the Ethernet data frames sent by the remote computer and sends the Ethernet data frames to the complex programmable logic device.

[0059] When a remote computer connects to the Ethernet protocol stack chip via an Ethernet interface, the chip processes the connection request according to its internal protocol stack. For example, if it's a TCP-based connection, the chip will perform a three-way handshake with the remote computer to establish a reliable connection. Once the connection is established, the Ethernet protocol stack chip can receive Ethernet data frames sent by the remote computer and transmit them to the CPLD.

[0060] The S240, a complex programmable logic device, sends Ethernet data frames to a processor or management controller.

[0061] The CPLD can forward Ethernet data frames to the CPU or BMC based on the type and destination address of the Ethernet data frame.

[0062] In some embodiments, a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) sends Ethernet data frames to a processor or management controller, including: the CPLD forwards Ethernet data frames to the processor or management controller based on the type and destination address of the Ethernet data frame.

[0063] For example, if it is ordinary application data, the CPLD will forward the data to the CPU for processing; if it is server management data, the CPLD will forward the data to the BMC for processing.

[0064] In some embodiments, the communication method between the complex programmable logic device and the Ethernet protocol stack chip, processor, and management controller is at least one of GPIO, SPI, and UART.

[0065] In some embodiments, the Ethernet protocol chip and the Ethernet interface are connected via a media-dependent interface or a media-dependent interface cross-communication connection, wherein the Ethernet interface is a 10Mbps or 100Mbps adaptive Ethernet interface.

[0066] In this embodiment of the invention, the circuit design achieves a low-cost network connection and management solution by making reasonable use of the functions of the Ethernet protocol stack chip and CPLD, thus meeting the system's needs for network communication and server management.

[0067] It should also be noted that, under normal circumstances, the cost of a 10 / 100M Ethernet protocol stack chip + small-scale CPLD + general-purpose MCU (i.e., the circuit of this invention) will be lower than the cost of a PCIE interface Ethernet controller supporting NC-SI function + a dedicated BMC supporting NC-SI function (i.e., a circuit that generally implements NC-SI function).

[0068] Furthermore, the Ethernet protocol stack chip internally implements most of the functions of Ethernet protocols such as TCP, IP, UDP, DHCP, and ARP. During data transmission, many protocol-related tasks, such as data encapsulation, decapsulation, address resolution, and routing, can be completed within the Ethernet protocol stack chip. Tasks that the CPU and BMC might have previously handled are now significantly reduced because the Ethernet protocol stack chip off the work. For example, the CPU can allocate more computing resources to running applications instead of spending considerable time processing network protocol-related operations. Because the Ethernet protocol stack chip handles most of the protocol-related work, the amount of code related to network protocol processing in software development on the CPU and BMC is greatly reduced. Developers no longer need to write complex protocol processing code from scratch; they can focus on software development related to specific system functions, thus reducing the workload and difficulty of software development.

[0069] Furthermore, the NC-SI physical layer interface is based on the RMII interface, a specific network interface standard that places certain requirements on hardware design and connectivity, typically requiring dedicated hardware components to support it. The Ethernet protocol stack chip's host interface uses more general-purpose GPIO, SPI, and UART interfaces. These interfaces are very common in electronic devices, and many general-purpose MCUs possess them. Because the Ethernet protocol stack chip uses general-purpose GPIO, SPI, and UART interfaces, BMCs have a wider range of choices when selecting MCUs. They can choose general-purpose MCUs with lower costs, more abundant supply, and more complete development tools, without being limited to dedicated MCUs that support the RMII interface. This not only reduces hardware costs but also simplifies the system design and development process.

[0070] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an electronic device for implementing the method of realizing the network controller sideband interface function according to embodiments of the present invention. The electronic device is intended to represent various forms of digital computers, such as laptop computers, desktop computers, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframe computers, and other suitable computers. The electronic device can also represent various forms of mobile devices, such as personal digital processors, cellular phones, smartphones, wearable devices (e.g., helmets, glasses, watches, etc.), and other similar computing devices. The components shown herein, their connections and relationships, and their functions are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the implementation of the invention described and / or claimed herein.

[0071] like Figure 3 As shown, the electronic device 10 includes at least one processor 11 and a memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM) 12 or a random access memory (RAM) 13, communicatively connected to the at least one processor 11. The memory stores computer programs executable by the at least one processor. The processor 11 can perform various appropriate actions and processes based on the computer program stored in the ROM 12 or loaded from storage unit 18 into the RAM 13. The RAM 13 can also store various programs and data required for the operation of the electronic device 10. The processor 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are interconnected via a bus 14. An input / output (I / O) interface 15 is also connected to the bus 14.

[0072] Multiple components in electronic device 10 are connected to I / O interface 15, including: input unit 16, such as keyboard, mouse, etc.; output unit 17, such as various types of displays, speakers, etc.; storage unit 18, such as disk, optical disk, etc.; and communication unit 19, such as network card, modem, wireless transceiver, etc. Communication unit 19 allows electronic device 10 to exchange information / data with other devices through computer networks such as the Internet and / or various telecommunications networks.

[0073] Processor 11 can be a variety of general-purpose and / or special-purpose processing components with processing and computing capabilities. Some examples of processor 11 include, but are not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), various special-purpose artificial intelligence (AI) computing chips, various processors running machine learning model algorithms, digital signal processors (DSPs), and any suitable processor, controller, microcontroller, etc. Processor 11 performs the various methods and processes described above, such as methods for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller.

[0074] In some embodiments, the method for implementing the network controller sideband interface functionality can be implemented as a computer program tangibly contained in a computer-readable storage medium, such as storage unit 18. In some embodiments, part or all of the computer program can be loaded and / or installed on electronic device 10 via ROM 12 and / or communication unit 19. When the computer program is loaded into RAM 13 and executed by processor 11, one or more steps of the method for implementing the network controller sideband interface functionality described above can be performed. Alternatively, in other embodiments, processor 11 can be configured to perform the method for implementing the network controller sideband interface functionality by any other suitable means (e.g., by means of firmware).

[0075] Various embodiments of the systems and techniques described above herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuit systems, integrated circuit systems, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application-specific standard products (ASSPs), systems-on-a-chip (SoCs), payload-programmable logic devices (CPLDs), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various embodiments may include implementations in one or more computer programs that can be executed and / or interpreted on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be a dedicated or general-purpose programmable processor, capable of receiving data and instructions from a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device, and transmitting data and instructions to the storage system, the at least one input device, and the at least one output device.

[0076] Computer programs used to implement the methods of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These computer programs may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, such that when executed by the processor, the computer programs cause the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be performed. The computer programs may be executed entirely on a machine, partially on a machine, or as a standalone software package, partially on a machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0077] In the context of this invention, a computer-readable storage medium can be a tangible medium that may contain or store a computer program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. A computer-readable storage medium may include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. Alternatively, a computer-readable storage medium may be a machine-readable signal medium. More specific examples of machine-readable storage media include electrical connections based on one or more wires, portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0078] To provide interaction with a user, the systems and techniques described herein can be implemented on an electronic device having: a display device (e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor) for displaying information to the user; and a keyboard and pointing device (e.g., a mouse or trackball) through which the user provides input to the electronic device. Other types of devices can also be used to provide interaction with the user; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user can be received in any form (including sound input, voice input, or tactile input).

[0079] The systems and technologies described herein can be implemented in computing systems that include backend components (e.g., as data servers), or middleware components (e.g., application servers), or frontend components (e.g., user computers with graphical user interfaces or web browsers through which users can interact with implementations of the systems and technologies described herein), or any combination of such backend, middleware, or frontend components. The components of the system can be interconnected via digital data communication of any form or medium (e.g., communication networks). Examples of communication networks include local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), blockchain networks, and the Internet.

[0080] A computing system can include clients and servers. Clients and servers are generally located far apart and typically interact through communication networks. The client-server relationship is created by computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship with each other. The server can be a cloud server, also known as a cloud computing server or cloud host, which is a hosting product within the cloud computing service system to address the shortcomings of traditional physical hosts and VPS services, such as high management difficulty and weak business scalability.

[0081] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used, with steps reordered, added, or deleted. For example, the steps described in this invention can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution of this invention can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.

[0082] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A circuit for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller, characterized in that, include: Ethernet interfaces, Ethernet protocol stack chips, complex programmable logic devices, processors, and management controllers; The Ethernet interface is communicatively connected to the Ethernet protocol stack chip, the Ethernet protocol stack chip is communicatively connected to the complex programmable logic device, and the complex programmable logic device is communicatively connected to the processor and the management controller, respectively.

2. The circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The Ethernet protocol stack chip and the Ethernet interface are connected via a media-dependent interface or a cross-communication interface, and the Ethernet interface is a 10Mbps or 100Mbps adaptive Ethernet interface.

3. The circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The Ethernet protocol stack chip and the complex programmable logic device are connected via general purpose input / output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or general purpose asynchronous transceiver (UART).

4. The circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The complex programmable logic device is connected to the processor via general purpose input / output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or general purpose asynchronous transceiver (UART).

5. The circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The complex programmable logic device and the management controller are connected via general purpose input / output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or general purpose asynchronous transceiver (UART).

6. A method for implementing the sideband interface function of a network controller, characterized in that, The method, applied to a circuit that implements the sideband interface function of a network controller, includes: After the circuit implementing the network controller sideband interface function is powered on, the complex programmable logic device performs initialization, and after the initialization is completed, it generates a chip initialization instruction and sends the initialization instruction to the Ethernet protocol stack chip. The Ethernet protocol stack chip responds to the initialization command and initializes itself. After a remote computer connects to the Ethernet protocol stack chip via an Ethernet interface, the Ethernet protocol stack chip receives Ethernet data frames sent by the remote computer and sends the Ethernet data frames to the complex programmable logic device. The complex programmable logic device sends the Ethernet data frames to the processor or management controller.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The communication method between the complex programmable logic device and the Ethernet protocol stack chip, the processor, and the management controller is at least one of GPIO, SPI, and UART.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the complex programmable logic device transmits the Ethernet data frame to the processor or management controller, comprising: The complex programmable logic device forwards the Ethernet data frame to the processor or the management controller according to the type and destination address of the Ethernet data frame.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes: At least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; The memory stores a computer program executable by the at least one processor, which is executed by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform the method for implementing the network controller sideband interface function as described in any one of claims 6-8.

10. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the method for implementing the network controller sideband interface function as described in any one of claims 6-8.

Images