IOM NPAR Reconfiguration for Mx7k Chassis Failure Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to provide seamless IOM NPAR configuration updates during component or subsystem failures in an Mx7k chassis, leading to inefficient resource use, uneven network load distribution, and degraded quality of service due to manual and static bandwidth allocation.

Innovation Solution

A host network optimization management module dynamically updates IOM NPAR configurations based on real-time network traffic analysis, recalibrating bandwidth and partition parameters to optimize network load balancing during hardware failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual and static bandwidth allocation is used for IOM NPAR configurations, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but network load balancing deteriorates and quality of service degrades during hardware failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual configuration simplicityVSAvoidquality of service during hardware failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation for IOM NPAR configurations that automatically adjusts network resource distribution in response to hardware failures. The system transitions from static manual configuration to dynamic automated reconfiguration, where bandwidth allocation is continuously monitored and adjusted based on real-time hardware status, thereby maintaining quality of service during failures without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where the network optimization module continuously monitors hardware status and network performance metrics. When hardware failures are detected, the system receives feedback about the failure condition and automatically triggers reconfiguration of IOM NPAR bandwidth allocations to maintain optimal network load balancing and quality of service, creating a closed-loop control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual reconfiguration of IOM NPAR configurations is performed during hardware failure, then adaptability to hardware changes is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to manual intervention requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to hardware failureVSAvoidreconfiguration speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service system where the network optimization module autonomously detects hardware failures and performs reconfiguration of IOM NPAR configurations without human intervention. The system automatically monitors hardware status, identifies failures, calculates optimal bandwidth reallocation, and executes reconfiguration commands, enabling the network to self-adapt to hardware changes while maintaining high productivity and fast response times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring monitoring mechanisms and establishing reconfiguration policies before hardware failures occur. The network optimization module is pre-programmed with algorithms to calculate optimal bandwidth allocations, and the system maintains ready-state configuration data that can be rapidly deployed upon failure detection, enabling fast adaptation without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If static bandwidth allocation is used for network partitions, then device complexity is reduced, but network load balancing deteriorates and resource efficiency decreases during hardware failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration management complexityVSAvoidnetwork resource efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes bandwidth allocation parameters for IOM NPAR configurations based on hardware status and network conditions. The system automatically adjusts partition bandwidth parameters in response to hardware failures, transitioning from fixed static values to dynamic parameter sets that optimize network resource efficiency. This includes real-time modification of allocation ratios, threshold values, and weight parameters without increasing operational complexity for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12489670B2Approach to seamlessly provision IOMs NPAR configurations for one or more associated sled(s) during component or subsystem failure for Mx7k chassis in datacenter

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A system for component failure management, comprising a plurality of hardware components disposed in a hardware rack and configured to process network data traffic and to generate hardware event data, an event manager coupled to the plurality of hardware components and configured to monitor the network traffic and hardware event data and to determine whether a hardware failure has occurred and a network optimization module coupled to the event manager and configured to determine whether a network partition update is required in response to the determination that a hardware failure has occurred.