Network Interface Controller Link Status Remediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current remediation methods for network attached devices require additional components like independent CPUs, memory, and software, leading to increased complexity, power consumption, and cost, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves using a low-level, low-complexity protocol for link status detection and remediation, eliminating the need for additional components by encoding control messages in network link statuses and decoding them using a deterministic finite state machine, allowing for power cycling or rebooting of network devices without a separate baseboard management controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a remote management function with secondary processor, memory, operating system and network software stack is implemented, then network attached device remediation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the remediation control logic from the main device processor and implements it in the network interface controller using a deterministic finite state machine. This separates the remediation function from the main system, allowing it to operate independently without requiring a full secondary processor, memory, and operating system stack, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining remediation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The network interface controller acts as an intermediary between the network and the main processor, handling remediation control messages and executing remediation actions directly without requiring a full remote management subsystem. This intermediary approach enables remediation functionality while avoiding the complexity of implementing a complete secondary processing system
2Reliability
If a remote management function with secondary processor and full software stack is implemented, then remediation control capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive, power-intensive secondary processor and operating system with a simple deterministic finite state machine implemented in the network interface controller. This lightweight approach consumes significantly less power while providing the necessary remediation control functionality, effectively trading a complex long-lived subsystem for a simple, low-power state machine
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential remediation control logic from the full remote management software stack and implements it directly in the network interface controller's deterministic finite state machine. This extraction eliminates the need for power-consuming operating system components, memory management, and complex software stacks while retaining core remediation capabilities
3Reliability
If additional components like secondary processor, memory and software stack are added, then remediation functionality is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the network interface controller multi-functional by enabling it to handle both standard network communication and remediation control operations through its deterministic finite state machine. This eliminates the need for dedicated separate hardware components for remediation, reducing overall device cost while maintaining full remediation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the remediation control function with the network interface controller, combining what would traditionally be separate components (network interface and remote management controller) into a single integrated unit. This consolidation reduces component count, simplifies the bill of materials, and lowers overall device cost while preserving remediation capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed computer-implemented method may include encoding, by a first computing device, a control message by generating a sequence of network link statuses, monitoring, by a second computing device, the sequence of network link statuses, decoding, by the second computing device, the sequence of network link statuses, and remediating the second computing device based on the control message. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.