Server Address Assignment via Pre-Power Manager

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for maintaining network addresses in information handling systems are inefficient, requiring external hardware and manual reconfiguration when hardware changes occur, leading to downtime and complexity in networked environments.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that store and assign network addresses based on the location of information handling systems, using a pre-power manager to retrieve and apply these addresses to networking components, ensuring consistency even when hardware is replaced or moved, without the need for external devices or manual reprogramming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an external switch with MAC address translation map is used to support server changes, then server replacement is supported, but device complexity increases and a single point of failure is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserver replacement supportVSAvoidexternal switch with translation map

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the MAC address translation functionality from a separate external switch and integrates it directly into the server information handling system. The server now contains its own translation map in system memory, eliminating the need for an external translation device and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to support server replacements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The server information handling system is given multiple functions: it performs its primary computing role while also maintaining and managing its own MAC address translation map. This eliminates the need for a dedicated external translation device, as the server itself becomes universal in handling both computation and address translation tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Extent of automation

If MAC addresses are dynamically assigned via DHCP, then address assignment is automated, but address consistency is lost during hardware changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress assignment automationVSAvoidaddress consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-assigning MAC addresses to specific physical slots in the chassis before hardware is installed. When a server or IO module is placed in a slot, it receives the MAC address predetermined for that location. This preliminary assignment ensures address consistency across hardware changes while maintaining automated assignment through the pre-power manager that retrieves addresses from system memory based on slot location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If manual reconfiguration of addresses is performed during hardware changes, then address consistency is maintained, but loss of time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress consistencyVSAvoidmanual reconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The server information handling system performs self-service by automatically retrieving its MAC address from system memory based on its slot location during the boot process, before the operating system loads. The pre-power manager handles address assignment without requiring manual intervention, eliminating downtime associated with manual reconfiguration while ensuring address consistency through the predetermined slot-based assignment system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If external devices are used for address management, then address translation is supported, but device complexity and single point of failure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress translation supportVSAvoidsingle point of failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the address translation functionality from an external device and relocates it to the server's own system memory. This eliminates the external single point of failure while maintaining address translation capabilities. The translation map is now stored locally in the server, making the system more reliable and eliminating the need for a separate translation device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7970873B2System and method for assigning addresses to information handling systems

Publication Date: 2011.06.28 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Information handling system network addresses are managed to support a consistent MAC address for iSCSI and fiber channel host bus adapter. For example, a management controller retrieves a MAC address from persistent memory, such as a network location, and assigns the MAC address to a non-persistent memory of a predetermined information handling system network component so that the MAC address remains consistent even if the network component is replaced. For example, an offload engine that supports network communications with iSCSI receives a MAC address from a network location and applies the MAC address for use by a host bus adapter. Alternatively, an offload engine supports Fiber Channel with World Wide Name or World Wide Identifier address assignments.