Blade Server Network Management Automation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional network management methods for blade servers are time-consuming and prone to incorrect settings when generating connection definition tables for multiple server blades, storage devices, and network devices connected through multiple fabrics.

Innovation Solution

A network management method that automates the process by using a computer to receive IP addresses, acquire slot numbers and power conditions, transmit power requests, and generate a connection definition table without the need for OS software installation on server blades or reading BIOS settings, thereby reducing manual effort and errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual methods are used to generate connection definition tables by reading BIOS settings and installing OS software on each server blade, then accurate hardware address and port number information can be obtained, but the process becomes extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of connection definition tableVSAvoidtime to generate connection definition table

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The server blade automatically provides its hardware address information through its own management port without requiring external intervention to read BIOS settings or install OS software. The blade server itself serves as the source of truth for its connection information, eliminating the need for manual configuration steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A management device acts as an intermediary between the administrator and the server blades. This management device automatically collects hardware address information from server blades through their management ports and generates connection definition tables without requiring direct manual intervention on each blade.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual procedures are followed to connect server blades to network switches and read port numbers, then accurate physical connection information can be recorded, but the process is prone to human errors and incorrect settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of physical connection mappingVSAvoidconsistency of configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically receives and processes feedback from server blades regarding their hardware addresses and connection states. This automated feedback loop eliminates manual reading and transcription errors, ensuring consistent and accurate recording of physical connections between server blades and network switches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of reading BIOS screens and noting down port numbers is replaced with an automated electronic system that programmatically collects hardware address information through management ports and automatically maps connections, eliminating human error in the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If OS software installation and BIOS reading are required for each server blade, then complete system information can be obtained, but the complexity of the setup process increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of system informationVSAvoidcomplexity of network management process

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the essential hardware address information needed for connection definition from the server blade's management port, without requiring the installation of OS software or reading of BIOS settings. This extraction approach obtains sufficient information while avoiding the complexity of full system setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The management port on each server blade is pre-configured to provide hardware address information before OS installation or BIOS configuration steps. This preliminary availability of connection information allows the connection definition table to be generated without requiring subsequent complex setup procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7953835B2Network management method and network management program

Publication Date: 2011.05.31 FUJITSU LTD

AI summary

Blade enclosures are connected to storage devices through FC switches, and management blades and FC switches are connected to a SAN management device. Automatic setting modular program displays an input screen on a display. A manager inputs IP addresses of FC switches so as to be associated with IP address of management blade into input screen. The automatic-setting modular program acquires the server blade information from the management blades, turns on the powers of the server blades, and acquires the FC switch information from the FC switches. The program associates the slot numbers contained in the server blade information acquired from the management blades to the port numbers contained in the FC switch information acquired from the FC switches in one-to-one relationships. The program generates records that are combinations of the server blade information and the FC switch information, and stores the generated records in connection definition table.