OOB Manageability Routing for Low-Power Heterogeneous Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
ARM-based platforms lack Embedded Controllers (ECs) necessary for Out-of-Band (OOB) management, which is crucial for remote management and control of Information Handling Systems (IHSs).
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an Out-of-Band Microcontroller Unit (MCU), Embedded Controller (EC), or network device into heterogeneous computing platforms to enable OOB management, even when the host processor is in a low-power state, using opaque packets with destination information to select specific devices for management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If ARM-based platforms are used to reduce power consumption and improve energy efficiency, then energy efficiency is improved, but the capability for Out-of-Band management is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates management functions from the main host processor by introducing a dedicated Out-of-Band Microcontroller Unit (OOB MCU). This segmentation allows the ARM-based host to focus on energy-efficient computation while the OOB MCU handles management tasks independently, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The OOB MCU acts as an intermediary between the management network and the heterogeneous computing platform. It receives and processes OOB packets, routing them to appropriate devices even when the host processor is in low-power states, thereby maintaining management capability without compromising the energy efficiency of the main system.
2Loss of energy
If the host processor enters low-power states to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but remote management capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The OOB MCU is designed to remain active or enter shallow sleep states even when the host processor enters deep low-power states. It preliminarily handles OOB packet reception and routing in advance, ensuring management capability is maintained without requiring the host processor to wake from low-power states, thus minimizing energy consumption while preserving remote management access.
3Reliability
If a dedicated OOB management controller is added to maintain management capability, then management capability is preserved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The OOB MCU is designed with multi-functionality to handle various management tasks including packet reception, parsing, routing to multiple devices, and interaction with different power states. This universal design consolidates multiple management functions into a single component, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated controllers for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the OOB management controller with the existing heterogeneous computing platform architecture, integrating it with the interconnect fabric and power management subsystems. This merging approach allows the OOB MCU to leverage existing infrastructure rather than requiring completely separate management hardware, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for routing manageability data in heterogeneous computing platforms. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a heterogeneous computing platform comprising a plurality of devices and an Out-of-Band (OOB) Microcontroller Unit (MCU), an Embedded Controller (EC), or a network device integrated into or coupled to the heterogeneous computing platform and distinct from any host processor of the heterogeneous computing platform, where the OOB MCU, EC, or network device is configured to receive a packet or command from a cloud service, and send the packet or command to a selected one of the plurality of devices.