ASF-Enabled Alert Sending Device for OS-Absent Remote Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current system manageability technologies fall short in providing a robust, cost-effective remote control and alerting system for computing systems, especially in OS-absent environments, lacking flexibility and requiring OS presence for effective management and power management.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an ASF-enabled Alert Sending Device (ASD) using embedded processors to process communications packets, manage timers, and support ASF protocols, allowing remote management and control through firmware updates, even in low-power states, with hardware timers and flexible packet processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional system manageability technologies (DMI, CIM) are used, then system control and monitoring are enabled, but the system requires the Operating System to be loaded and operational
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates management functions into two distinct layers: a low-level firmware layer (ASF) that operates independently of the OS, and a high-level OS layer (DMI, CIM) that provides advanced management capabilities. This segmentation allows the firmware layer to provide basic manageability functions even when the OS is absent, while the OS layer provides enhanced capabilities when available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate firmware layer (ASF - Alert Standard Format) that acts as a mediator between the hardware and the OS-dependent management technologies. This intermediate layer can translate hardware events into standardized alerts and can execute remote control commands even when the OS is not present, thereby bridging the gap between hardware-level events and high-level management protocols.
2Reliability
If proprietary alerting technologies (Alert on LAN, PET) are implemented, then remote notification of system states and failures is achieved, but multiple different standards must be supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal alerting framework (ASF) that can handle multiple types of alert events and communicate with different management systems through a single standardized interface. The firmware layer is designed to support multiple alert formats and communication protocols, allowing one system to replace multiple proprietary solutions and reduce the complexity of supporting various alerting standards.
3Ease of operation
If remote management is enabled, then system visibility and control are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic polling and event-triggered communication mechanisms where the firmware only activates network communication when actual events occur or at scheduled intervals, rather than maintaining continuous active connections. This allows the system to enter low-power states between events while still providing remote management capabilities when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for supporting ASF in an ASD using one or more embedded processors. In one aspect of the invention the method comprises accepting ASF related packets, examining the ASF related packets using a firmware routine running on the one or more embedded processors, and generating a response. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.