Embedded Control Logic for Scalable KVM Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing multiple information handling systems in data centers is challenging due to the complexity of cable management and the limitations of existing KVM switches, which often require numerous cables and additional hardware, and can be unreliable if the master card fails.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of embedded control logic in each information handling system, which selectively transmits keyboard, video, and mouse signals to a master controller, allowing for scalable management without additional hardware and providing fault tolerance by distributing control logic within each system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a KVM switch is used to connect multiple information handling systems to a single mouse, keyboard and video monitor, then the number of cables increases significantly (e.g., 120 cables for 40 servers), but the system can manage multiple systems through a single interface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement interface consolidationVSAvoidcable quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple cable functions into a single cable by integrating keyboard, video, and mouse signal transmission along with power delivery and data communication capabilities into one unified connection between each information handling system and the master controller, eliminating the need for separate cables for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single cable connecting each information handling system to the master controller serves multiple functions simultaneously including video signal transmission, keyboard input, mouse input, power supply, and data communication, making the cable multi-functional and reducing the total number of cables required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional KVM switches are added to support more than eight information handling systems, then the system can manage more devices, but the device complexity and rack space consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem scalabilityVSAvoidnumber of KVM switches

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent distributes control functionality by placing embedded control logic within each information handling system itself, segmenting the centralized KVM switch functionality into individual distributed units, allowing each system to independently manage its own connections while maintaining overall system control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each information handling system contains embedded control logic that enables it to independently manage and control its own KVM connections without requiring external KVM switch hardware, allowing the system to serve itself and eliminating the need for additional KVM switch devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If a master switch card is used to connect multiple slave cards in a daisy-chain configuration, then the number of cables is reduced, but the system reliability decreases because the entire system depends on the master card

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable quantityVSAvoidsystem fault tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized control logic into distributed embedded control logic units within each information handling system, creating independent control segments that can operate autonomously, thereby eliminating the single point of failure represented by the master switch card

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The embedded control logic within each information handling system acts as an intermediary between the system's internal components and the external master controller, enabling direct communication and control without requiring a master switch card, thus improving reliability while maintaining cable efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If each information handling system includes a local management card with complex circuitry for signal conversion, then system reliability improves through distributed control, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistributed controlVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The embedded control logic is designed to perform multiple functions including video signal processing, keyboard input handling, mouse input handling, power management, and data communication within a single integrated component, reducing the need for separate complex circuitry for each function and thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining distributed control reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7603498B2System and method for managing multiple information handling systems using embedded control logic

Publication Date: 2009.10.13 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A system and method for managing multiple information handling systems using embedded control logic are disclosed. An information handling system includes a first port for receiving first analog video signals and embedded control logic operably coupled to the first port. The embedded control logic selects either the first analog video signals received by the first port or second analog video signals generated by the information handling system. A second port operably coupled to the embedded control logic transmits at least one of the first and second analog video signals to a master controller operably coupled to the information handling system.