BMC Extended SEL Record Locator for External Encrypted Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing System Event Log (SEL) in server-class computer systems has a limited capacity, as each record is only 16 bytes long, which restricts the amount of data that can be stored, necessitating additional encrypted data beyond this constraint.
Innovation Solution
A Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) is designed to store extended SEL record entries with a locator pointing to external data collections, allowing for the retrieval of additional event data, enabling encryption and management of larger data collections by using a locator to point to external storage, thereby overcoming the 16-byte limitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the SEL record is extended to store more event data, then the data storage capacity is improved, but the record structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the event data storage into two segments: a fixed 16-byte SEL record structure that conforms to IPMI standards, and an external data collection stored separately. The SEL record contains only essential event information and a locator (pointer) to the external data collection, while the actual extended event data is stored in the external collection. This segmentation allows the SEL record to maintain its simple fixed structure while enabling access to much larger amounts of event data through the external storage.
2Loss of information
If additional encrypted data is stored beyond the 16-byte constraint, then the information completeness is improved, but the retrieval complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a locator (pointer) as an intermediary element within the 16-byte SEL record that connects to the external encrypted data collection. When event data needs to be retrieved, the system first reads the SEL record to obtain the locator, then uses the locator to access the external data collection. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to maintain simple SEL record structure while enabling complete information retrieval through a two-step process that manages complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If the SEL record size is increased to store extended event data, then the data capacity is improved, but the compatibility with IPMI standard deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into a standard-compliant SEL record portion and an extended external data portion. The SEL record maintains the IPMI-specified 16-byte fixed structure, ensuring compatibility with existing IPMI standards and tools. The extended event data is stored externally with a locator in the SEL record pointing to it. This allows the system to provide extended data capacity while preserving IPMI standard compatibility for the core SEL record structure.
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a BMC. The BMC stores an extended SEL record entry in a data repository. The extended SEL record entry including a locator to a data collection stored external to the data repository. The BMC further retrieves the data collection based on the locator in response to receiving a request-to-retrieve-an-SEL-record.