Local Management Device for Converged Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Converged infrastructure systems present challenges in remote management due to complex installation and troubleshooting tasks, limited network connectivity, and the presence of firewalls, which hinder efficient local management of compute, network, and storage devices.
Innovation Solution
A converged infrastructure management system with a management device connected to a backplane, featuring a display and input device for local management, allowing retrieval, modification, and sending of management information to managed devices, thereby providing a single visual management interface that bypasses firewalls and enables direct device connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a remote system is used to manage converged infrastructure devices, then management can be performed from a distance, but network connectivity is limited and firewalls hinder access to management functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a local management device as an intermediary component housed within the converged infrastructure system. This device provides a display and input interface that enables administrators to directly interact with managed devices through the internal backplane network, bypassing external firewalls and network connectivity issues. The local management device acts as a mediator between the administrator and the managed devices, allowing reliable local access while maintaining the ability to perform management functions.
2Ease of operation
If mobile administrator IHS is used for local management, then physical proximity to devices is achieved, but network connectivity may still be limited or blocked by firewalls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the management interface functionality from external systems and embeds it directly within the converged infrastructure system through a dedicated local management device. This device includes integrated display and input capabilities that are physically present at the system location, eliminating the need for external mobile devices and their associated network connectivity dependencies. The management functions are taken out of the network-dependent domain and placed in the local physical domain.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate management interfaces are used for different device types, then specific device management requirements are met, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal local management device that can manage multiple types of converged infrastructure devices (compute, storage, networking) through a single interface. The device communicates with different managed devices through the backplane using appropriate protocols for each device type, providing device-specific management capabilities while presenting a unified management experience to the administrator. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple separate management interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A converged infrastructure management system includes a first converged infrastructure system chassis housing a backplane. A plurality of managed devices are connected to the backplane and include at least one compute device, at least one network device, and at least one storage device. A management device is connected to the backplane and includes a display and an input device that are accessible on an outer surface of the management device. The management device includes a management engine that is configured to retrieve management information from any of the plurality of managed devices through the backplane and display the management information that was retrieved on the display. The management engine is also configured to receive instructions through the input device and, in response, modify the management information that is displayed and send the management information that has been modified through the backplane to the management device associated with that management information.