BMC and Virtualization Offloading for Pre-assembled System Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cloud provider networks face challenges in integrating and managing large fleets of pre-assembled computer systems with proprietary software, such as Apple Mac OS, due to limitations in remote firmware updates, physical infrastructure integration, and compatibility with virtualization technologies.

Innovation Solution

The integration of pre-assembled computer systems with proprietary software into cloud provider networks is achieved through a virtualization offloading component and a baseboard management controller, which emulate user interface devices, manage power states, and provide remote management capabilities, allowing for the creation of virtual environments that mimic consumer usage and enable seamless integration with cloud infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pre-assembled computer systems with proprietary software are integrated into cloud provider networks, then compute resource flexibility and security are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of remote management increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompute resource flexibilityVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A virtualization offloading component is introduced as an intermediary device between the pre-assembled computer system and the cloud provider network. This component includes a virtualization manager that emulates user interface devices and a baseboard management controller that provides remote management capabilities, thereby simplifying the integration process and enabling seamless communication without requiring direct complex interactions between the proprietary system and cloud infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The virtualization offloading component performs multiple functions including emulating user interface devices, managing power states, providing remote management capabilities, and facilitating communication between diverse pre-assembled systems and the cloud network. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity by consolidating various integration requirements into a single universal component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If pre-assembled computer systems are physically integrated into server infrastructure, then hardware utilization efficiency is improved, but ease of operation and remote control capabilities deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware utilization efficiencyVSAvoidremote management capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The baseboard management controller acts as an intermediary that enables remote management of physically integrated pre-assembled computer systems. It provides out-of-band management capabilities allowing operators to control and monitor systems remotely without requiring physical access, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving high hardware utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Physical manual operations for managing pre-assembled computer systems are replaced with electronic and automated control mechanisms. The virtualization offloading component and baseboard management controller enable remote power management, system provisioning, and operational control through software interfaces, eliminating the need for physical presence and manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If virtualization technologies are used to share physical hosts among multiple users, then resource efficiency is improved, but reliability and security management become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity management difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The virtualization offloading component segments the management functions into distinct modules: a virtualization manager for compute instance management, a baseboard management controller for hardware control, and emulation components for user interface functions. This segmentation isolates security-critical operations and allows independent verification and management of each function, improving reliability while maintaining resource efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The virtualization offloading component serves as a trusted intermediary between multiple users and the shared physical host infrastructure. It enforces isolation between virtual machines, manages secure access controls, and provides audit capabilities, thereby maintaining security and reliability while enabling efficient resource sharing among multiple users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11113046B1Integration and remote control of a pre-assembled computer system into a server for a virtualization service

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

A branded fleet server system includes a pre-assembled third-party computer system integrated into a chassis of the branded fleet server system. The pre-assembled third-party computer system is configured to execute proprietary software that is only licensed for use on branded hardware. A baseboard management controller (BMC) included in the server chassis couples with the pre-assembled computer system via one or more cables coupled to ports of the pre-assembled computer system. The BMC enables remote control of the pre-assembled computer system, such as remote power on and power off. Also the BMC may enable automatic and remote software and/or firmware updates to be performed at the pre-assembled computer system.