Network Interface Card Sideband Management Routing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network arrangements require additional ports or dedicated NICs for host CPUs to connect to management networks, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

The solution enables host CPUs to connect to management networks using sideband interfaces through a baseboard management controller (BMC), eliminating the need for additional ports or NICs by implementing interface logic circuitry and switch logic in the network interface controller to route traffic between the host CPU, sideband interface, and management network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional network ports or dedicated NICs are added to enable host CPU connection to management network, then connectivity capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sideband interface is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as the primary interface for BMC to manage the NIC, and simultaneously enables host CPU to connect to the management network. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated ports or NICs, resolving the contradiction between connectivity capability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The BMC acts as an intermediary device that facilitates communication between the host CPU and the management network through the sideband interface. The BMC routes management traffic from the host CPU to the management network, enabling connectivity without requiring additional physical ports on the NIC

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional network ports or dedicated NICs are added to enable host CPU connection to management network, then connectivity capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sideband interface is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as the primary interface for BMC to manage the NIC, and simultaneously enables host CPU to connect to the management network. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated ports or NICs, resolving the contradiction between connectivity capability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the management network connectivity function with the existing sideband interface infrastructure. By combining the BMC management function and host CPU management network access through a single interface, the solution reduces component count and manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If sideband interface is used for BMC to manage NIC, then device complexity is reduced, but host CPU connectivity to management network is not enabled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidhost CPU connectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sideband interface is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as the primary interface for BMC to manage the NIC, and simultaneously enables host CPU to connect to the management network. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated ports or NICs, resolving the contradiction between connectivity capability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface logic circuitry dynamically routes traffic based on destination: management traffic from host CPU is routed through the sideband interface to the management network, while other traffic follows traditional paths. This dynamic routing capability enables the same physical interface to serve multiple purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10331598B2Adding a network port to a network interface card

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 MELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES LTD(IL)

AI summary

A host computer connects to a data network via a host interface to a network interface controller A sideband interface connects the network interface controller to a baseboard management controller having a management network port for connection to a management network. A path is established in the network interface controller between the host interface the basement management controller via the sideband interface of the network interface controller to conduct data selectively between the management network and either the host central processing unit and the or internally in the network interface controller.