Datacenter Server Topology Mapping via BLE Beacons

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing server information handling systems in large data centers is challenging due to the difficulty in accurately tracking the physical location and inventory of systems, especially as data centers grow and infrastructure changes, leading to inefficiencies in maintenance and repairs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a wireless personal area networking system with Bluetooth Low Energy beacons that allow mobile devices to triangulate server positions and create topology maps, while ensuring secure communication by transitioning to indirect media outside a signal transmission distance threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If server information handling systems are installed in racks and interfaced with management network, then remote management capability is improved, but physical location tracking becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote management capabilityVSAvoidphysical location tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces wireless personal area network beacons as intermediary devices deployed throughout the data center. These beacons act as mediators between the management network and physical location tracking, enabling administrators to locate servers by detecting beacon signals while maintaining remote management capabilities through the existing management network infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual physical tracking methods with wireless signal-based detection. Instead of mechanically tracking server positions through physical means, the system uses wireless beacons and signal detection to automatically determine server locations, substituting mechanical tracking with electromagnetic field-based positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If data center grows and infrastructure changes, then capacity increases, but inventory tracking accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata center capacityVSAvoidinventory tracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where wireless beacons continuously transmit location information that is detected by mobile devices. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically update and maintain accurate inventory tracking as the data center grows and changes, ensuring real-time accuracy without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service inventory tracking where the infrastructure itself (wireless beacons) provides location information automatically. The system tracks its own inventory without requiring external manual tracking, allowing the data center to scale while maintaining accuracy through autonomous beacon-based detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used for management, then ease of access is improved, but security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of accessVSAvoidsecurity risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by restricting wireless communication capabilities based on spatial proximity. The system provides full wireless management access only when the mobile device is physically close to the server (within beacon signal range), and degrades to limited or no wireless access when distance increases, thereby maintaining security while preserving ease of access at appropriate locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic security control where wireless management permissions change based on real-time distance measurements. The system dynamically adjusts access levels according to the mobile device's proximity to the server, transitioning from secure local access to restricted remote access as distance increases, balancing ease of access with security requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method provides accurate and up-to-date datacenter topology and inventory information, guiding administrators to specific server locations and maintaining secure interactions, thereby enhancing datacenter management and maintenance efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Wireless personal area networking communications between server information handling systems of a datacenter and mobile information handling systems moved around in the datacenter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless signal transmission and detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9781546B2Server information handling system wireless management and topology

Publication Date: 2017.10.03 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A datacenter server information handling system topology is determined from Bluetooth Low Energy beacon signals communicated with a mobile information handling system that provides multiple ranges temporally related as the mobile information handling system moves through the datacenter. Server information handling system positions are determined and mapped relative to each other and also relative to position information detected in the datacenter, such as with a camera or accelerometer disposed in the mobile information handling system.