Server Management Appliance Protocol Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current KVMoIP switches face challenges with costly cabling and high processing demands for compressing analog video signals, while remote graphical console software lacks pre-OS access due to software requirements.
Innovation Solution
A management appliance that receives and converts remote console data from server computers using different protocols (RDP, VNC, and serial over LAN) into a common format for display in a single graphical user interface, enabling pre- and post-OS operation management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If KVMoIP switches are used to provide remote access to server computers, then access to pre-OS operations (POST and BIOS) is enabled, but costly cabling and high processing demands for compressing analog video signals are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a video capture device as an intermediary component that separates the video capture function from the KVMoIP switch. This device captures video signals from server computers and makes them available to the KVMoIP switch without requiring the switch to perform complex compression processing, thereby reducing the processing demands and complexity while maintaining access to pre-OS operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the video capture functionality from the KVMoIP switch and places it in a separate dedicated device. This extraction removes the burden of video signal processing from the switch, allowing it to focus on protocol handling and remote access management, thus reducing overall system complexity and processing requirements
2Device complexity
If remote graphical console software packages are used for remote control, then cabling costs are reduced, but access to pre-OS operations is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both approaches by combining the simplified cabling architecture of in-band solutions with the pre-OS access capability of out-of-band solutions. The video capture device captures signals from the server's video output (enabling pre-OS access) while the system uses network-based communication (reducing cabling complexity), effectively merging the benefits of both architectural approaches
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different remote console protocols are supported, then compatibility with various server computers is improved, but complexity of protocol conversion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the KVMoIP switch as an intermediary that handles protocol conversion between different remote console protocols (such as RDP, VNC, and serial over LAN) and the internal system protocol. This centralized mediation approach allows multiple protocol support while managing conversion complexity in a single location rather than distributing it across multiple components
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for providing a common management console for managing the pre- and post-operating system operation of a computer system are provided. The method includes: receiving, at a management appliance, first and second requests from one or more remote management consoles to manage first and second server computers, respectively; receiving first and second remote console data formatted according to first and second remote console protocols from the first and second server computers, respectively; converting, at the management appliance, the received first and second remote console data to first and second converted remote console data, respectively, in a common format in accordance with a common protocol capable of expressing the first and second remote console protocols; and transmitting the first and second converted remote console data in the common format to the remote management console for display.