Dynamic Slot Mapping for Resilient Server Chassis Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In information handling systems, determining a mapping between communication channel information and slot information is challenging, especially when physical connectivity changes occur, leading to misconfiguration errors.

Innovation Solution

A management controller queries information handling resources via multiple communication channels to determine unique identifiers, creating a dynamic mapping that correlates communication channel identifiers, allowing for resilient mapping even with changes in physical connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a static mapping between communication channels and slots is used, then configuration simplicity is maintained, but the system cannot adapt to physical connectivity changes leading to misconfiguration errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to physical connectivity changesVSAvoidmapping determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic slot mapping where the management controller automatically updates the mapping between communication channels and slots based on detected physical connectivity changes. Instead of using a fixed static mapping, the system continuously adapts the mapping configuration to reflect current physical connections, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by making the mapping dynamic rather than static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where the management controller queries information handling resources to detect changes in physical connectivity and automatically updates the slot mapping accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to respond to connectivity changes and maintain accurate mapping information without manual intervention, balancing adaptability with automated complexity management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If manual mapping configuration is used, then initial setup is straightforward, but any physical connectivity changes require manual reconfiguration leading to errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidconfiguration accuracy after connectivity changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The management controller performs self-service by automatically detecting connectivity changes and updating slot mappings without requiring manual reconfiguration. The system queries information handling resources, detects physical connectivity changes, and autonomously maintains accurate mapping information, thereby preserving both ease of operation and configuration accuracy after connectivity changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing initial slot mappings during system setup, and then proactively monitors for connectivity changes. When changes are detected, the mapping is automatically updated before misconfiguration errors can occur, ensuring continuous configuration accuracy without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication paths are supported with fixed mapping, then system flexibility is reduced, but configuration complexity is also reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform configuration flexibilityVSAvoidmapping determination difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The management controller acts as an intermediary between information handling resources and slot configurations. It automatically manages the mapping between multiple communication paths and slots by querying resources and detecting connectivity changes, thereby enabling platform configuration flexibility while hiding the complexity of mapping determination from users and other system components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11822499B1Dynamic slot mapping
Publication Date: 2023.11.21 DELL PROD LP
  • US11822499B1 patent drawing
  • US11822499B1 patent drawing
  • US11822499B1 patent drawing

AI summary

An information handling system may include a management controller and information handling resources that are coupled to the management controller via a first communication channel and a second communication channel, each information handling resource having a first communication channel identifier, and each information handling resource having a second communication channel identifier. The management controller may query the information handling resources via the first communication channel to determine a first set of unique identifiers for the information handling resources; query the information handling resources via the second communication channel to determine a second set of unique identifiers for the information handling resources; and based on a comparison between the first set of unique identifiers and the second set of unique identifiers, create a mapping that correlates the first communication channel identifiers with the second communication channel identifiers.