BMC-Based Server Display for Standby and Booting States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current server systems can only display relevant information once booted, making it inconvenient and inefficient for users to access information when the server is in a standby state, requiring rebooting to access data.
Innovation Solution
A computing system comprising a host computer power management module, operating module, and displaying module that outputs different power management signals based on the server's state (standby or booting) to enable information display via VGA, HDMI, or DVI signals, using a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) and Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), allowing information access without rebooting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the server displays information only under booting state, then the display system is simple, but the user cannot access information when the server is in standby state, requiring rebooting which wastes time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power management and display functions into independent modules: a power management module that detects system state, a BMC controller that manages standby state information, and a display module that outputs to external devices. This segmentation allows the system to display information in both standby and booting states without requiring full system reboot, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) acts as an intermediary between the system's power state and the display output. The BMC independently manages and transmits system information to external display devices even when the main system is in standby state, enabling continuous information accessibility without requiring the main system to be fully operational, thus eliminating the need for rebooting
2Ease of operation
If the server can display information in both standby and booting states, then user convenience is improved, but the system complexity increases due to multiple power management signals and display controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The power management module is designed with multi-functionality to handle both standby and booting state display operations through a unified interface. The BMC controller serves multiple purposes: system management, information collection, and display output control. This universal design allows the system to achieve enhanced information accessibility while minimizing the increase in device complexity by using existing components for multiple functions
3Productivity
If the system uses different power levels for standby and booting states, then information display is enabled in both states, but the operating module complexity increases due to signal processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes parameter changes in power management signals to distinguish between standby and booting states. The power management module detects state transitions through voltage level changes and communicates these to the BMC controller, which then adjusts display output parameters accordingly. This parameter-based approach enables the system to achieve high operating efficiency by allowing information access in both states while keeping the signal processing module relatively simple, as it only needs to respond to predefined parameter changes rather than implementing complex processing logic
Data Source
AI summary
A computing system and method for respectively displaying information corresponding to host computer under booting state or standby state is disclosed in the present invention. In the method, the computing system is provided to determine whether the host computer is under a booting state or a standby state. When the host computer is under the booting state, a display module of the computing system displays the control information of the baseboard management controller. When the host computer is under the standby state, the display module displays the information about BIOS Power-on self-test (POST).