Firmware Error Manager for Data Processing Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In complex data processing systems, existing error monitoring methods rely on OS-based agents, which are inadequate for managing errors across multiple partitions and shared hardware resources, leading to incomplete error reporting and increased effort in maintaining system reliability and availability.
Innovation Solution
A centralized error management system that includes a firmware-based error manager, which correlates and analyzes error data from CPUs, chipsets, and firmware, enabling global error reporting and autonomous correction without OS intervention, using error logging, analysis, and reporting components to isolate faulty hardware and alert users and vendors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If OS-based agents are used for error monitoring, then error detection capability is provided, but error reporting completeness deteriorates due to partition limitations and resource mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a firmware-based error manager as an intermediary layer between hardware error sources and OS-based monitoring agents. This firmware resident in the manageability processor captures error information directly from hardware components (CPU, chipset, memory) before it reaches the OS, ensuring complete error reporting regardless of partition boundaries or resource mobility. The firmware acts as a mediator that aggregates error data from multiple sources and presents a unified view to administrators.
2Productivity
If multiple partitions share hardware resources, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but error management complexity increases due to duplicate reporting and incomplete histories
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges error management functions into a centralized firmware-based error manager that consolidates error data from all partitions and shared hardware resources. Instead of each partition maintaining separate error monitoring, the firmware aggregates error information into a unified error log that reflects the complete system state. This eliminates duplicate reporting and provides a single source of truth for error management across the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The firmware-based error manager implements universal error management functionality that serves all partitions and hardware resources simultaneously. The error manager is designed to handle errors from any partition, any hardware component, and any time period through a single interface, making the error management system multi-functional and adaptable to different partition configurations without requiring partition-specific error handling logic.
3Reliability
If field service personnel must log into each partition for diagnostics, then partitioned security is maintained, but diagnostic time and operational effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The firmware-based error manager serves as an intermediary that provides system-wide diagnostic capabilities without requiring administrators to access individual partitions. The error manager collects and stores error information from all hardware components and partitions in a centralized location that can be accessed through a single interface, eliminating the need to log into multiple partitions while maintaining security boundaries. Administrators can view complete error histories and system health status through the firmware interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing errors in a data processing system may involve at least one computer system. Each computer system may include a processor that executes an operating system, firmware, and system memory storing instructions for the operating system. A firmware error handler resident in the firmware may identify an error occurring in the computer system. The firmware error handler may determine whether the operating system is required to take an action in response to the error. If the operating system is not required to take an action in response to the error, the firmware error handler may create an error log accessible to the operating system appropriate to cause the operating system to take no action.