Remote Power State Control for Server Blades via Thin Client
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ClientBlade environments do not provide a convenient method for remote users to manage power states beyond on and off, specifically lacking accessibility to sleep and hibernate states.
Innovation Solution
A method allowing remote users to control the power states of ClientBlade devices through a remote desktop environment using a decompression brick system or thin client, which enables keyboard, mouse, and USB input, and utilizes a management module to send instructions to the baseboard management controller for power state changes, independent of an operating system, and employs a serial over LAN connection for remote power state control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a program monitors time of inactivity to control power states, then power state control is automated, but remote users cannot conveniently access or control sleep and hibernate states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote desktop environment as an intermediary interface between the remote user and the ClientBlade power management system. This remote desktop environment provides a graphical user interface that allows users to select and control different power states (on, off, sleep, hibernate) without requiring direct interaction with the underlying monitoring program or system commands. The intermediary layer simplifies user interaction while maintaining the automated monitoring functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operating system communication is used for power state control, then remote power control is enabled, but it requires an operating system on the remote device which increases system requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the remote desktop environment universal by designing it to function across different remote device types without requiring an operating system on the remote device. The decompression brick system can interpret and transmit power state commands from various input devices (keyboard, mouse, USB devices) and translate them into appropriate commands for the ClientBlade, making the system adaptable to diverse remote access scenarios while eliminating the operating system requirement on the remote end.
3Ease of operation
If only on/off power state control is supported, then system security is maintained, but user convenience for managing sleep and hibernate states is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically extends the power state control capability from static on/off switching to dynamic multi-state management (on, off, sleep, hibernate). The system maintains security through authenticated access to the remote desktop environment, while providing enhanced user convenience through graphical interface controls that allow users to select from multiple power states. The dynamic nature of the solution allows the system to adapt to different user needs and usage scenarios while maintaining security protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling the different power states of a ClientBlade™ from a remote desktop environment is described. A remote user is permitted to control the different power states of the ClientBlade™ remotely via a remote client having an operating system or a thin client (or decompression brick) with no operating system. Administered authentication of the remote user is required before access is granted to the management module in the BladeCenter™ environment to enable the changes to the power state of the ClientBlade™.