Cellular-Based IT Asset Management Without Dedicated Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information technology (IT) infrastructure management networks incur high capital and operational expenses due to the use of dedicated out-of-band management networks, which complicate design, increase downtime, and require additional hardware, while alternative technologies like WiFi and Bluetooth are less efficient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cellular-based management network, specifically a private 5G network, with embedded Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) and microcontrollers to manage IT assets, enabling efficient management without the need for separate management networks, and utilizing a microcontroller to classify and forward management commands to CPUs and Baseboard Management Controllers (BMCs) via Ethernet connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated out-of-band management network is used, then IT asset management reliability is improved, but capital and operational expenses increase and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines management network functionality with existing cellular data networks, eliminating the need for separate dedicated management networks. IT assets use the same cellular infrastructure for both data transmission and management commands, reducing hardware requirements and network complexity while maintaining reliable out-of-band management capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The cellular network infrastructure is made multi-functional by enabling it to handle both general data traffic and specialized management commands simultaneously. The system allows a single network to serve multiple purposes: asset management, firmware updates, remote diagnostics, and operational control, replacing the need for separate dedicated management networks.
2Reliability
If a dedicated out-of-band management network is implemented, then management security is improved, but capital and operational expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts management network functionality from dedicated hardware infrastructure and relocates it to software-based solutions running on existing cellular network infrastructure. Management commands are transmitted through the cellular data network using standardized protocols, eliminating the need for separate management network hardware while maintaining security through encrypted communication channels.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deploying physical dedicated management networks, the system creates virtual management channels over the existing cellular data network. Management traffic is copied and transmitted through the same infrastructure used for data traffic, using virtualization and protocol encapsulation to maintain security and isolation without requiring additional physical hardware.
3Device complexity
If WiFi or Bluetooth is used for management, then hardware requirements are reduced, but management efficiency and bandwidth decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to the available cellular network infrastructure and configurations, automatically adjusting management protocols and communication methods based on network conditions. The cellular network provides dynamic bandwidth allocation and adaptive throughput optimization, ensuring efficient management operations without requiring fixed hardware installations like WiFi or Bluetooth access points.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises at least one processing device configured to determine whether an information technology asset in an information technology infrastructure environment is equipped with a cellular modem and, responsive to determining that the information technology asset is equipped with the cellular modem, to determine whether a cellular operational profile for a cellular-based management network associated with the information technology infrastructure environment is provisioned for the cellular modem. The processing device is also configured, responsive to determining that the cellular operational profile is provisioned, to establish a connection with the cellular-based management network. The processing device is further configured to obtain, via the cellular-based management network, management commands for controlling operation of the information technology asset, and to provide, to a central processing unit or a baseboard management controller of the information technology asset, the management commands.