Management Processor Video Capture for Post-Failure Screens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating systems, especially those in graphics mode, face challenges in capturing and storing crash-related information due to high resource requirements and complexity, as they often reboot before data can be recorded, and conventional screen capture programs are inadequate for post-failure analysis.
Innovation Solution
A management processor is used to receive and compress video streams from a server, detecting impending reboots to capture and store graphical post-failure screens independently, reducing memory requirements and overhead by storing the data in its own memory before the server reboots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If continually recording a graphics stream is used to capture post-failure screens, then complete visual crash information is obtained, but memory requirements and system complexity increase to unacceptable levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential crash information from the graphics stream by capturing the post-failure screen image at the moment of crash, rather than continuously recording the entire graphics stream. This extraction approach obtains complete visual crash information while using minimal memory resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The management processor is pre-configured with crash capture functionality and monitoring capabilities before the crash occurs. When a crash is detected, the system immediately captures the post-failure screen without requiring continuous recording resources, enabling complete information capture with minimal resource usage.
2Loss of information
If screen capture programs are installed on the server to provide crash screen views, then post-failure screenshots are obtained, but additional overhead is created on the server system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the crash capture functionality from the server system by implementing it in the management processor as a separate, independent component. This segmentation allows the server to focus on its primary functions while the management processor handles crash monitoring and capture, eliminating additional overhead on the server.
Solution Approach 2:
The management processor acts as an intermediary between the server and the crash analysis tools. It monitors the server for crashes, captures the post-failure screen, and stores the information independently, serving as a mediator that provides crash information without adding overhead to the server system.
3Quantity of substance
If text mode recording is used to capture crash information, then minimal memory resources are required, but the solution only works when failure screens are provided in text mode and requires instantaneous response to system resets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the capture parameter from text mode to graphics mode by capturing the post-failure screen image. This parameter change enables compatibility with both text-mode and graphics-mode operating systems, as the graphics capture approach works regardless of the operating system's display mode, while still using efficient memory resources.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methodologies, and media associated with acquiring a graphics mode post-failure screen provided by a graphical operating system running on a self-reset capable computer are described. One exemplary method embodiment may be performable in a management processor (e.g., ASIC, FPGA) that is configured to be operably connected to a computer (e.g., server) that is configured to provide a graphical post-failure screen and to self-reset upon entering a failure state. The exemplary method embodiment may include receiving a stream of video data from the computer and making it available to a downstream component like a remote console application. The exemplary method may also include performing a screen refresh after detecting the failure state in the computer. The exemplary method may also include selectively storing the graphical post-failure screen in a memory associated with the management processor.