BMC Redfish Schema Updates for Runtime Hardware Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Redfish implementations require build-time changes and firmware updates to support new hardware components, leading to server downtime and limiting flexibility in dynamic data center environments.
Innovation Solution
A method for dynamically updating Redfish schemas and services in a BMC at runtime by utilizing cloud-based manageability bundles, allowing the BMC to detect new devices and install necessary schema metadata and backend services without rebooting or updating firmware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If firmware updates are performed to support new hardware components, then the BMC can manage new devices, but server downtime occurs and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic schema updates that allow the BMC to adapt its management capabilities at runtime without requiring firmware updates. The system dynamically loads new device schemas and manages hardware components through runtime configuration changes, enabling the BMC to handle new devices while maintaining continuous operation and avoiding server downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the device management schema from the core firmware by using modular, externally loadable schema files. This segmentation allows individual device management capabilities to be updated independently without requiring a complete firmware update, enabling selective loading of new device support while keeping the system running.
2Adaptability or versatility
If firmware updates are performed to support new hardware components, then the BMC can manage new devices, but management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud-based service as an intermediary that automatically provides device schemas to the BMC. This mediator handles the complexity of schema management, version control, and delivery, freeing the BMC from direct involvement in complex firmware update processes while still enabling support for new hardware components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where the BMC automatically detects new device types, requests appropriate schemas from cloud services, and loads the necessary management capabilities without manual intervention. This automation eliminates complex manual firmware update procedures while maintaining adaptability to new hardware.
3Reliability
If build-time changes are made to support new hardware, then the BMC can manage new devices, but flexibility in dynamic environments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static build-time schema definitions with dynamic runtime schema loading. The BMC can load, unload, and update device management schemas during operation based on detected hardware changes, providing both reliable device management and the flexibility needed for dynamic data center environments where hardware configurations change frequently.
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 detects the addition of a new device to a server it manages. The BMC determines that it lacks the capability to manage the new device. The BMC sends a request to a cloud service for a manageability bundle for the new device. The BMC receives the manageability bundle from the cloud service. The manageability bundle includes schema metadata and a backend service for managing the new device. The BMC installs or updates a schema of a management model based on the schema metadata and installs the backend service. The BMC exposes management capabilities for the new device through an interface of the management model without requiring a firmware update or reboot of the BMC.