Server Configuration Data Synchronization via BMC
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multiprocessor systems with multiple interconnected modules, existing tools fail to maintain coherence of configuration data across all modules during startup, leading to potential malfunction due to inconsistencies.
Innovation Solution
A server with a unified platform for an operating system, equipped with management controllers (BMC) that store and synchronize configuration data across modules using an internal network, allowing modifications and retrieval of configuration data via IPMI standard messages, and utilizing SD cards for data storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each module has its own elementary BIOS software storing configuration data locally, then each module can independently start up, but configuration coherence and consistency across all modules cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a management controller as an intermediary component that mediates configuration data management between multiple modules. Each module's BIOS can access configuration data through the management controller, which ensures coherence and consistency across all modules while maintaining independent module operation. This resolves the contradiction by providing centralized coordination without requiring complex inter-module communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the configuration data storage and management functions into a unified system where the management controller maintains a single source of truth for configuration data. Multiple modules share access to this unified configuration space through the management controller, eliminating the need for each module to maintain separate configuration copies and ensuring automatic coherence.
2Ease of operation
If configuration data is stored locally in each module's BIOS, then startup is fast and independent, but modification of configuration parameters loses coherence between modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the management controller monitors configuration data modifications and automatically propagates changes to all modules. When configuration parameters are modified through the management controller, the system provides feedback to ensure all modules receive and apply the same updated configuration, maintaining coherence while enabling easy modification operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the management controller pre-synchronize configuration data to all modules before startup or configuration changes. This ensures that when modules access configuration data through the management controller, they automatically receive coherent and consistent information without requiring post-modification synchronization steps.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If existing NVRAM access tools are used, then local configuration data can be accessed, but the master module's configuration data cannot be accessed and coherence is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the management controller a universal access point for configuration data that serves multiple functions: storing configuration data, synchronizing across modules, and providing access to all modules' configuration information through a single interface. This universal access mechanism eliminates the limitation of existing tools that can only access local NVRAM, allowing coherent access to the master module's configuration data while maintaining consistency across all modules.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a server including a plurality of information processing modules so as to form a unified platform for an operating system deployed on the server, each module having an elementary software, BIOS, provided to use configuration data when the module is started up, the server also being provided to allow at least one configuration datum to be modified, and being characterized in that it further includes a management controller, BMC, provided to store configuration data in an associated memory, and to transmit, when the at least one configuration datum is modified, such data to management controllers associated with the other modules, and in that the elementary software is provided to recover the configuration data from the management controller when the module is started up.