Memory Data Hole Management for Server Firmware Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional server device management systems are inefficient due to the need to copy management data to a remote access controller storage subsystem, which results in slow data transfer and potential update failures if the storage becomes corrupted, lacking redundant copies.
Innovation Solution
The system identifies memory locations with data holes in storage class memory devices, generates an aggregated multi-device memory location table, and uses this table to store and access management data directly on the host subsystem, eliminating the need for a remote access controller storage subsystem and enabling fast, redundant data storage and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If management data is stored in a remote access controller storage subsystem, then data storage capacity is provided, but data transfer speed deteriorates and update time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts management data storage from the remote access controller storage subsystem and places it directly in host system memory. This removes the intermediate storage step, allowing management data to be accessed directly by the host system without being copied to and from the remote access controller, thereby improving data transfer speed and reducing update time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a memory manager as an intermediary component that manages storage of management data in host system memory. The memory manager handles allocation, tracking, and retrieval of management data, enabling direct access while maintaining proper resource management. This intermediary approach allows the system to bypass the remote access controller storage subsystem while still providing structured management of the data.
2Ease of operation
If management data is copied through multiple components (remote access controller, host system, target device), then data is made available for updates, but the complexity of data access increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts management data from the remote access controller storage subsystem and places it directly in host system memory, eliminating the intermediate copying step. This simplifies the data access path from a multi-hop transfer (remote access controller → host system → target device) to a direct access model (host system memory → target device), reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The host system directly accesses and manages its own management data stored in its memory, eliminating the need for the remote access controller to act as an intermediary. The memory manager enables the host system to self-manage allocation and retrieval of management data, simplifying the overall data access architecture.
3Reliability
If a remote access controller storage subsystem is used for management data, then centralized storage is achieved, but reliability deteriorates when storage corruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts management data storage from the remote access controller storage subsystem to host system memory. This separation eliminates the single point of failure represented by the remote access controller storage. If corruption occurs in one location, the system can potentially retrieve data from alternative locations in host system memory, improving reliability and reducing the impact of storage corruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the storage location parameter from remote access controller storage to host system memory. This parameter change fundamentally alters the reliability characteristics of the system, as host system memory typically offers better protection mechanisms and redundancy options compared to the remote access controller storage subsystem, thereby improving update reliability and reducing vulnerability to storage corruption.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory data hole enabled management system includes a host subsystem with memory devices. A remote access controller subsystem identifies memory locations in the memory devices that include data holes, and generates an aggregated multi-device memory location table that associates the memory locations with continuous addresses. The host system then receives first instructions from the remote access controller subsystem to store data across the plurality of memory locations and in response, operates in a block mode to store the data across the memory locations via the aggregated multi-device memory location table. The host subsystem may then receive second instructions from the remote access controller subsystem to access the data across the memory locations and, in response, operate in the block mode to access the data across the memory locations via the aggregated multi-device memory location table.