BMC-MCU Out-of-Band Control for Storage Fault Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing out-of-band management function of Baseboard Management Controllers (BMC) for storage apparatuses is limited, making it difficult to meet user needs and unable to effectively manage storage devices under abnormal conditions.
Innovation Solution
An out-of-band management method that enhances communication between a baseboard management controller and a micro controller unit, allowing the BMC to obtain and operate the storage apparatus based on product and status information, using a persistent memory in the micro controller unit to store this information and implement a software communication protocol stack for efficient communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the BMC uses traditional in-band management methods through the operating system, then the storage apparatus can be operated, but the management function is limited and cannot effectively manage storage devices under abnormal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a micro controller unit (MCU) as an intermediary component within the storage apparatus that enables direct communication with the BMC through a dedicated out-of-band interface. This intermediary allows the BMC to manage the storage apparatus independently of the host operating system, ensuring management capability remains functional even when the host system is abnormal or unavailable.
2Ease of operation
If the BMC communicates with the storage apparatus through the host interface and operating system, then the storage apparatus can be managed, but the communication efficiency and control ability are reduced under abnormal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the management communication path into two independent channels: in-band management through the host interface for normal operations, and out-of-band management through a dedicated interface between the BMC and MCU for abnormal conditions. This segmentation allows the BMC to bypass the host operating system and directly communicate with the storage apparatus via the MCU, significantly reducing response time and maintaining control ability when the host system is abnormal.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the storage apparatus lacks dedicated out-of-band management capabilities, then the device complexity is low, but the management function cannot meet user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The micro controller unit (MCU) is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a controller for the storage apparatus's internal operations and as a communication interface for out-of-band management. The MCU handles both data storage control and management communication through the dedicated interface, eliminating the need for separate dedicated management hardware and reducing overall device complexity while providing comprehensive out-of-band management capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
An out-of-band management method for a storage apparatus includes communicating with a micro controller unit of the storage apparatus by a baseboard management controller to obtain product information of the storage apparatus or status information of the storage apparatus and operating the storage apparatus by the baseboard management controller based on the obtained information.