SAS Link Error Filter Module for False Positive Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information handling systems generate false positive error warnings due to the inability to distinguish between normal hot insertion/removal of SAS devices and failed connections, leading to user confusion and unnecessary maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that monitor error events at an SAS link and compare them with physical device presence events using an error filter module, filtering out false positives by ensuring sufficient temporal correspondence between device presence and error events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SAS Phy Error Log Counters are monitored to detect failing device connections, then connection reliability is improved, but false positive error warnings are generated during normal hot insertion and removal operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that correlates error events with device presence events. The system uses a timestamped log of device presence events as an intermediary data structure to determine whether an error occurred during a device insertion or removal operation. This intermediary allows the system to distinguish between errors caused by normal device presence changes and errors indicating actual connection failures, thereby reducing false positive warnings while maintaining reliable error detection.
2Stability of the object's composition
If error monitoring is implemented to detect failing connections, then system stability is improved, but user confusion and unnecessary maintenance increase due to false positives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors both error events and device presence events, then uses this feedback to adjust error warning generation. When the feedback indicates that an error occurred during a device presence change (insertion or removal), the system suppresses the false positive warning. This feedback loop maintains system stability through accurate error detection while preventing user confusion by eliminating spurious warnings that would otherwise trigger unnecessary maintenance activities.
3Ease of operation
If device hot insertion and removal is supported for plug and play communication, then ease of operation is improved, but Phy Error Log Counters increase dramatically causing false error warnings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by recording device presence events with timestamps before error analysis is performed. The system proactively logs when devices are inserted or removed, creating a reference timeline of legitimate device presence changes. When errors are subsequently detected, this pre-recorded presence information is used to predict whether the error is likely caused by a normal device presence operation. This preliminary recording action enables the system to maintain plug and play functionality while filtering out false error warnings that would otherwise undermine error warning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
False positive error warnings associated with hot insertion or removal of a device with an SAS link are filtered by comparing the timing of error warnings with the timing of hot insertion or removal of the device. An SCSI Enclosure Processor monitors physical device presence events through a side band bus, such as an I2C bus interfaced with physical devices. Upon detection of an error associated with the SAS link, an error filter module retrieves time stamped physical device presence events from the SCSI Enclosure Processor, compares the time stamp of the physical device presence event and suppresses the warning if the time stamp falls within a predetermined time of the error.