Remote KVM Failover via BMC and OS Network Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote keyboard-video-mouse (rKVM) sessions can become unstable and are often terminated prematurely due to issues with the baseboard management controller (BMC) or network connections, making it difficult for users to re-establish sessions, especially when physical access to the server is impractical.
Innovation Solution
A system that detects errors in rKVM sessions by sending periodic commands and, upon failure, establishes a secondary session through a different network connection using the operating system or BIOS, ensuring continuous communication by switching to a different communications interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single network connection is used for rKVM sessions, then the system is simple to manage, but the session becomes unstable and prone to premature termination when the connection fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the network connection architecture into multiple independent network connections (first network connection via BMC, second network connection via OS/BIOS). Each connection operates independently, so failure of one does not affect the other. This segmentation directly resolves the contradiction by improving session reliability through redundancy while maintaining manageable complexity through clear separation of connection paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of network connection redundancy from single to multiple connections. By establishing both a first network connection through the BMC and a second network connection through the OS or BIOS, the system transforms the connection architecture from vulnerable single-point-failure to resilient multi-path communication, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the BMC is used as the primary interface for rKVM sessions, then remote administration is enabled, but the session can be terminated when the BMC encounters problems
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary alternative path (second network connection through OS or BIOS) that mediates when the primary BMC interface fails. Instead of relying solely on the BMC, the console application can switch to the second connection through different server applications, ensuring session continuity and preventing termination when BMC problems occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a backup second network connection in advance through the OS or BIOS before the BMC fails. This prior cushioning ensures that when BMC problems occur, an alternative communication path is already available, preventing session termination and maintaining ease of operation for remote administration.
3Ease of operation
If physical access to the server is required for re-establishing sessions, then direct control is possible, but user convenience is greatly reduced when physical access is impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automatic failover where the console application automatically detects BMC failures and switches to the second network connection without requiring user physical access to the server. The system serves itself by monitoring connection health and autonomously recovering sessions through alternative paths, greatly improving user convenience while maintaining manageable complexity through automated processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies for remote keyboard-video-mouse sessions can include failover mechanisms. In some embodiments, a system can establish a first remote keyboard-video-mouse session between a console application on the system and a first server application executed by a controller on a server. The first remote keyboard-video-mouse session can be established via a first network connection between the system and the controller. Next, the system can detect an error associated with the first remote keyboard-video-mouse session. In response to the error, the system can establish a second remote keyboard-video-mouse session between the console application and a second server application executed by an operating or a basic input/output program on the server. The second remote keyboard-video-mouse session can be established via a second network connection between the system and the second server application.