Server Provisioning via BMC Inventory for Accurate Network Setup

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Manual registration of inventory data for large-scale mobile networks is time-consuming and prone to human errors, leading to potential network failures.

Innovation Solution

A network management apparatus and method that automates the acquisition of basic server information, generates setting information, and queries for normality using a BMC identifier and server specifications to ensure accurate provisioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual registration of inventory data is conducted, then setting information can be registered, but it is time-consuming and prone to human errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of setting information registrationVSAvoidtime consumption for registration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs self-registration by automatically acquiring its own inventory information through the BMC and transmitting it to the management apparatus, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention and reducing both time consumption and human errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of operator-based data entry is replaced with an automated electronic system where the BMC and management apparatus automatically exchange inventory data through standardized protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual registration of inventory data is conducted, then setting information can be registered, but human errors occur which may lead to network failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork operation reliabilityVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The server autonomously provides its own inventory information to the management apparatus, eliminating human intervention that causes errors while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The management apparatus receives and processes feedback from servers in the form of automatically transmitted inventory data, enabling reliable tracking and management of network assets without manual input errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If automated provisioning is implemented, then registration efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregistration efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The BMC acts as an intermediary component that bridges the server and management apparatus, enabling automated provisioning through standardized interfaces while keeping the overall system architecture manageable and modular

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12531780B2Network management apparatus and network management method

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 RAKUTEN MOBILE INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a network management apparatus, comprising: a basic information acquisition unit configured to acquire basic server information including server information and location information, the server information including identification information of an accommodating station accommodating a server that constitutes a network and an identifier of a BMC of the server, the location information indicating an installation location of the server in the accommodating station; a related information generation unit configured to generate server-related information including at least an IP address of the server based on the basic server information; a setting information generation unit configured to generate setting information necessary for provisioning the server based on the basic server information and the server-related information; and a data query unit configured to query the server about normality of the setting information generated by the setting information generation unit.