Out-of-band Service Processor for Bare-metal Hardware Profile Backup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional in-band backup and restore solutions for information handling systems are limited in their ability to manage and restore hardware profile information, particularly in 'bare-metal' or 'system down' states, without relying on the host operating system or software applications, and lack the capability for out-of-band processing.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of out-of-band backup and restore systems using separate out-of-band processing devices, such as service processors, to manage and restore hardware profile information, including firmware images and configurations, allowing for 'bare-metal' restoration and checkpoint capabilities without relying on the host CPU or OS, and enabling remote management across an out-of-band network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If in-band backup solutions are used, then backup operations can be performed using host OS and software applications, but the system cannot perform backup in bare-metal or system down states without relying on host CPU

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup capability in various system statesVSAvoiddependency on host OS and CPU

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into in-band host components (CPU, OS, applications) and out-of-band management components (service processor, dedicated backup software). The out-of-band service processor independently handles backup operations without requiring the host OS or CPU to be running, enabling backup in bare-metal or system down states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An out-of-band service processor acts as an intermediary between the hardware components and the backup system. This service processor provides dedicated backup functionality that operates independently of the host OS, serving as a mediator that enables backup operations even when the host system is not operational.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If out-of-band processing devices are introduced, then independent backup and restore of hardware profiles is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent backup and restore operationVSAvoidseparate processing devices and networks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The out-of-band service processor is designed as a multi-functional device that handles various system management tasks including backup, restore, firmware management, and system monitoring. By consolidating these functions into a single out-of-band device, the system achieves independent backup capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9354987B2Systems and methods for out-of-band backup and restore of hardware profile information

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented for out-of-band backup and/or restore of information handling system components. Such out-of-band backup and restore operations may be performed, in one embodiment, to backup and/or restore hardware profile information such as firmware images and corresponding system configuration information.