Out of Band Job Selective Driver Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current out-of-band (OOB) job execution in computing systems is inefficient, leading to significant system downtime and potential errors due to the need to load Option ROMs and drivers for all devices, even if only a subset is involved in the job, causing unnecessary delays and unstable system behavior.
Innovation Solution
A method where a host selectively loads only the necessary Option ROMs and drivers based on the identified job type and device type associated with the OOB job, as determined by a service processor, to minimize loading time and reduce errors by only loading components required for the specific task.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Option ROMs and drivers for all devices are loaded during OOB job execution, then system compatibility and reliability are improved, but system downtime and job execution time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and loads only the specific Option ROM and driver required for the OOB job, rather than loading all device drivers. The service processor identifies the specific device type involved in the OOB job and selectively loads only that driver, eliminating unnecessary loading time while maintaining system reliability for the specific task at hand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the driver loading process by dividing all available drivers into categories based on their relevance to the specific OOB job. Only the segment corresponding to the required device type is loaded and executed, while other segments remain unloaded, thus reducing overall execution time while maintaining necessary functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all Option ROMs and drivers are loaded regardless of job requirements, then system versatility is improved, but device complexity and error susceptibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The service processor extracts and identifies only the specific driver corresponding to the device type involved in the OOB job. This selective extraction reduces the complexity of the loading process by eliminating unnecessary drivers, while the service processor maintains knowledge of all available drivers to ensure versatility when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Option ROMs and drivers for all devices are loaded, then comprehensive device support is improved, but job execution efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The service processor extracts and loads only the specific driver required for the OOB job from the complete set of available drivers. This selective loading maintains comprehensive device support capability in the service processor while dramatically improving job execution efficiency by eliminating unnecessary loading overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The service processor performs preliminary identification of the required driver based on the OOB job parameters before the actual job execution begins. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare only the necessary components in advance, improving execution efficiency while maintaining the capability to support any device type through the service processor's comprehensive knowledge base.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of performing an out of band (OOB) job at a host is disclosed. A boot option query is transmitted from the host to a service processor. It is then determined if a current boot option is an OOB job. At least one of a job type and a device type associated with the OOB job is identified if the current boot option is an OOB job. An Option ROM and a driver relating to the identified job type and the identified device type is then selectively loaded and the OOB job is performed.