BMC-Storage Out-of-Band Communication for Higher I/O Throughput

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices lack direct and efficient out-of-band communication between the baseboard management controller (BMC) and the microcontroller unit (MCU) of storage devices, leading to bandwidth consumption in in-band communication, decreased I/O speed for user data, and limited information transfer capabilities.

Innovation Solution

Implementing out-of-band communication protocols between the BMC and MCU, allowing direct bidirectional communication independent of in-band channels, using interfaces such as OCP, PLDM, NC-SI, Redfish, NVMe_MI, and MCTP standards, enabling secure and flexible management of environment data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If in-band communication is used for BMC to communicate with storage device, then communication can be established, but bandwidth is consumed and I/O speed for user data decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidI/O speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into two independent channels: in-band communication for user data transfer and out-of-band communication for management purposes. This segmentation allows management traffic to be separated from data traffic, preventing bandwidth contention and maintaining high I/O speeds for user data while enabling reliable management communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A dedicated management interface (out-of-band channel) is introduced as an intermediary for BMC to communicate with storage devices. This intermediary channel handles management traffic independently, preventing it from interfering with the primary data transfer path and thus maintaining high productivity for user data operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If in-band communication is used for management, then communication is possible, but bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement communicationVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional communication methods are used, then existing systems remain compatible, but information transfer capabilities are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem compatibilityVSAvoidinformation transfer capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The out-of-band management interface is designed to support multiple communication protocols (PCIe, CXL, NVLink, etc.), making it universally compatible with different system architectures while providing enhanced information transfer capabilities. This multi-functional approach allows the system to maintain compatibility with existing standards while enabling advanced management features and broader information exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4310658B1Electronic device supporting out-of-band communication, and method of operating the same

Publication Date: 2026.04.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

Disclosed is a method of operating an electronic device which includes a host device and a storage device. The host device includes a processor and a baseboard management controller (BMC), the storage device includes a storage controller and a micro controller unit (MCU), and the BMC and the MCU support out-of-band communication. The method of operating the electronic device includes providing, by the BMC, a first request including information about environment data to the MCU through the out-of-band communication, and providing, by the MCU, a first response corresponding to the first request to the BMC through the out-of-band communication.