PCIe Interface Controller for BMC Data Transfer Speed

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) systems are limited by slow communication channels, particularly the keyboard controller style (KCS) interface, which hinders efficient data transfer and management of server computers located in disparate physical locations, making remote management of servers costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

Implementation of a PCI Express (PCIe) interface controller in the baseboard management controller (BMC) to provide access to a PCIe channel, enabling faster data transfer through a PCIe link, firmware, and a processor, with a software stack and drivers that register the data transfer unit as a PCIe function, allowing communication with PCIe devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional IPMI interfaces (KCS, SMIC, BT) are used for BMC communication, then system compatibility and ease of operation are maintained, but data transfer speed and productivity are severely limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoidinterface implementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the communication interface parameter from traditional slow IPMI interfaces (KCS, SMIC, BT) to PCIe interface, fundamentally altering the data transfer speed parameter. The PCIe interface controller and associated firmware/software stack enable high-speed data transfer while maintaining IPMI protocol compatibility through software abstraction layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If PCIe interface controller is implemented in BMC, then data transfer speed and productivity are improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidBMC system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PCIe interface implementation into distinct components: PCIe interface controller hardware, firmware with PCIe module, PCIe driver software, and PCIe library functions. This segmentation manages complexity by separating concerns while enabling high-speed data transfer through the PCIe channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a PCIe interface controller as an intermediary component between the BMC processor and the PCIe channel. This intermediary handles the complex PCIe protocol operations, shielding the rest of the system from complexity while enabling high-speed communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If remote server management is implemented without PCIe interface, then system simplicity is maintained, but management efficiency and productivity suffer due to slow data transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote management efficiencyVSAvoidtime for data transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the data transfer speed parameter by implementing PCIe interface in the BMC, enabling rapid firmware updates and data exchange for remote server management. This eliminates the time loss associated with slow traditional interfaces while maintaining remote management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9043527B2PCI express channel implementation in intelligent platform management interface stack

Publication Date: 2015.05.26 AMERICAN MEGATRENDS

AI summary

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a baseboard management controller (BMC) that includes a PCI express (PCIe) interface controller configured to provide access to a PCIe channel over a PCIe link, and firmware. The firmware includes a PCIe module being configured to access the PCIe channel through the PCIe interface controller and registered as a PCIe function. A software stack of the BMC communicates, through the PCIe module, with a PCIe device over the PCIe channel.