Out-of-band Server Profiling via Remote Access Card Virtual Media

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional clustered servers lack the ability to profile system utilization out-of-band, leading to interruptions in in-band network resources and a lack of insight for administrators to optimize server utilization and identify bottlenecks effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a remote access card with a plug-and-play virtual drive and auto-run data gathering executable to collect performance and process parameters from managed host servers via an out-of-band network interface, allowing for profiling without interfering with main server functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional performance monitor applications operate through in-band network interfaces, then administrators can monitor server utilization, but in-band network resources are interrupted and server performance is affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserver utilization profiling capabilityVSAvoidin-band network resource availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a remote access card as an intermediary device that enables out-of-band monitoring capabilities. The remote access card includes a virtual media interface that allows performance monitor applications to access server utilization data through a separate communication channel, eliminating the need to use in-band network resources for monitoring purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-dimension in-band monitoring to multi-dimensional monitoring by adding an out-of-band communication dimension. This allows performance monitoring to occur through a separate physical or logical channel (remote access card) that does not compete with the primary network infrastructure for resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If administrators use in-band network monitoring, then they can gather performance data, but server functions and network utilization are interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance data accessibilityVSAvoidserver main function performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The remote access card serves as a mediator that provides performance data without interfering with server operations. By routing monitoring traffic through this separate interface, the patent ensures that administrative monitoring activities do not impact the primary server functions or network utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If out-of-band monitoring is implemented via remote access card, then server utilization can be profiled without interfering with main functions, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserver performance stabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the multi-functionality of the remote access card, which is designed to provide various out-of-band management capabilities. By utilizing the existing virtual media interface and communication protocols already present in the remote access card, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated hardware solely for monitoring purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If conventional monitoring methods are used, then implementation is simple, but administrators lack insight into bottlenecks and cannot optimize scaling effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring implementation simplicityVSAvoidbottleneck identification capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The remote access card provides an intermediary channel that enables comprehensive performance data collection without disrupting server operations. This allows administrators to gather detailed utilization information across multiple parameters and time intervals, enabling effective bottleneck identification and scaling optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8171174B2Out-of-band characterization of server utilization via remote access card virtual media for auto-enterprise scaling

Publication Date: 2012.05.01 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A method for characterizing server utilization out-of-band via remote access card virtual media includes sending at least one preselected desired parameter comprising at least one of at least one performance parameter and at least one process parameter, and at least one preselected polling interval to a remote access card disposed in at least one preselected managed host server system, using a remote application running on a remote management client via at least one remote access card administrative command through an out-of-band dedicated remote access card network interface card. The method also includes connecting a plug-and-play virtual drive, having an auto-run data gathering executable, to the at least one preselected managed host server system at the at least one preselected polling interval via a plug-and-play virtual media interface between the remote access card and the at least one preselected managed host server system, using firmware of the remote access card.