Network Interface Card Sideband Management via MAC Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional information handling systems face disadvantages in supporting both dedicated and shared NIC modes due to the need for separate media access controllers, different communication standards, and the requirement of a MDIO/MDC bus, which increases complexity and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

An information handling system with a processor, memory, a non-dedicated network interface, a dedicated network interface, and a baseboard management controller, where the dedicated network interface includes a sideband interface communicatively coupled to the baseboard management controller and a media access control filter to isolate management and non-management data, reducing the need for additional hardware and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated NIC mode is used to isolate management traffic from non-management traffic, then traffic isolation and management security are improved, but device complexity and cabling requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement traffic isolationVSAvoidcabling and router ports

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the dedicated NIC functionality with the existing non-dedicated NIC by integrating a sideband interface into the non-dedicated NIC. This allows the same physical NIC to handle both management traffic (via sideband interface) and non-management traffic (via regular interface), eliminating the need for separate dedicated NIC hardware and cabling while maintaining traffic isolation through software-based MAC filtering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The non-dedicated NIC is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in traditional mode for non-management traffic and in dedicated mode for management traffic when coupled with a sideband interface. The MAC filter enables the NIC to selectively forward management traffic through the sideband interface while allowing non-management traffic through the regular interface, making a single NIC serve dual purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If two separate media access controllers are used to support both dedicated and non-dedicated NIC modes, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidmedia access controllers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the media access controller functionality into a single shared MAC within the non-dedicated NIC. The sideband interface provides a separate communication path for management traffic, but both paths share the same MAC resource. The MAC filter then directs management traffic to the sideband interface while allowing non-management traffic through the regular interface, eliminating the need for separate MACs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The MAC filter acts as an intermediary between the shared MAC and the two interfaces (sideband and regular). It receives traffic from the shared MAC and selectively forwards management traffic to the sideband interface while allowing non-management traffic to pass through to the regular interface, enabling a single MAC to serve both purposes reliably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a MDIO/MDC bus is required between dedicated NIC and BMC, then communication protocol reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication protocol reliabilityVSAvoidMDIO/MDC bus

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the MDIO/MDC bus requirement from the dedicated NIC communication path. Instead of requiring a separate MDIO/MDC bus for the sideband interface, the design uses the existing NC-SI bus that connects the MAC to the BMC. This eliminates the need for additional dedicated communication hardware while maintaining protocol reliability through the shared bus infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If a dedicated NIC with PHY is used, then management traffic isolation is improved, but power consumption increases due to continuous PHY power usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement traffic isolationVSAvoidPHY power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the PHY functionality into the shared non-dedicated NIC, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated NIC PHY. The single PHY in the non-dedicated NIC serves both management traffic (when activated via sideband interface) and non-management traffic. This allows the PHY to be powered down when not in use, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to isolate management traffic when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8321616B2System and method for enabling interchangeable dedicated management network interface card access via fabric controller

Publication Date: 2012.11.27 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Systems and methods for reducing problems and disadvantages associated with traditional approaches to providing dedicated network interface card access are provided. An information handling system may include a processor, a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, a non-dedicated network interface communicatively coupled to the processor, a dedicated network interface, and a baseboard management controller. The non-dedicated network interface may have a first sideband interface. The dedicated network interface may have a second sideband interface communicatively coupled to the first sideband interface. The baseboard management controller may be communicatively coupled to the second sideband interface.