Host Controller Timeout Management via Subsystem Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In information handling systems, there is a lack of effective communication between devices at different system levels to provide feedback on the length of time for response or timeout, leading to arbitrary waiting times and loss of productivity for users.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for managing response data within information handling systems by obtaining and accumulating response data from components to compute a total response time, including issuing test commands and recursively requesting timeout values from subsystems to determine a cumulative timeout value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the host controller waits for an arbitrary timeout without communication between devices, then the system can operate with simpler control logic, but the waiting time increases and productivity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where subsystems communicate timeout values back to the host controller. The host controller receives timeout information from subsystems and uses this feedback to adjust its own timeout settings, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes waiting time based on actual subsystem responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having subsystems report their timeout requirements in advance before the actual diagnostic operation begins. The host controller accumulates these preliminary timeout values and uses them to set appropriate waiting periods, avoiding arbitrary delays.
2Ease of operation
If the host controller waits for completion of test with no progress indicator, then the system maintains simpler operation, but the user experiences loss of productivity and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feedback mechanisms that provide progress indicators to users during diagnostic operations. The system communicates the current state of tests and estimated completion times back to the user interface, allowing users to understand what is happening without complicating the overall system operation.
3Device complexity
If there is no communication between devices of different system levels, then the system architecture remains simpler, but the host controller must wait for arbitrary timeout values resulting in time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the timeout management function by having each subsystem independently determine and report its own timeout requirements. This segmentation allows the host controller to accumulate timeout values from multiple subsystems without requiring complex centralized timeout calculation, maintaining architectural simplicity while reducing overall timeout time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges timeout management across multiple subsystems by having the host controller accumulate timeout values from various subsystems into a cumulative total. This combining approach allows the system to handle multiple subsystems with different timeout requirements without requiring separate timeout mechanisms for each, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for managing response data within an information handling system (IHS), where the method includes the step of obtaining response data from at least one component in the IHS, the response data generated in response to receiving a command. The method also includes accumulating the response data from the at least one component to compute a total response time.