Management Controller Recovery via Remote Software Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Management controllers in data processing systems face challenges when they lose access to operation management software, leading to impaired ability to manage the systems and provide computer-implemented services.
Innovation Solution
The management controller identifies the loss of access, partitions storage resources, presents the partition to the data processing system, initiates storage of a new operation management software copy, and uses it to recover and manage the system, allowing remote administration and improved system management capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the management controller stores multiple copies of operation management software locally, then the reliability of software access is improved, but the storage space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote management entity as an intermediary that stores operation management software externally. When the management controller needs software, it requests it from this intermediary rather than storing multiple local copies. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining software access reliability through the intermediary while eliminating the need for excessive local storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal storage location that serves multiple management controllers simultaneously. Instead of each controller storing its own copies, a single remote storage location serves all controllers, reducing total storage requirements while maintaining reliability through shared access to software copies.
2Ease of operation
If the management controller partitions storage resources and presents them to the data processing system, then the ease of remote recovery is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The management controller automatically performs storage partitioning and software recovery without requiring manual intervention. The controller identifies available storage, partitions it appropriately, and retrieves software autonomously. This self-service approach improves ease of remote recovery while the automation reduces the perceived complexity for operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The management controller performs storage partitioning in advance before recovery is needed. By pre-configuring storage partitions and making them available to the data processing system beforehand, the controller enables faster, easier recovery operations when software failures occur, while the partitioning work is done during normal operation when system resources are available.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the management controller downloads and stores a new copy of operation management software remotely, then the adaptability to software corruption is improved, but the loss of time during recovery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs software validation and integrity checks in advance before deployment. By verifying software copies beforehand and storing validated copies in predetermined locations, the system reduces recovery time when corruption occurs, as the controller can quickly identify valid software without extensive verification during the recovery process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates and maintains multiple copies of software in different locations (local controller storage and remote storage). When corruption is detected, the controller can immediately copy software from the remote location rather than downloading from scratch, reducing recovery time while maintaining adaptability to corruption through the availability of backup copies.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for managing operation of data processing systems are disclosed. To manage operation of the data processing systems, the data processing systems may host management controllers that manage the operation of the data processing systems. The management controllers may be programmable, and may initiate recoveries for the management controllers when operation management software becomes corrupted or is unavailable for other reasons. During the recoveries, new copies of the operation management software may be obtained and used to initiate desired operation of the management controllers.