Service Controller Console Message Storage After Crash
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Console messages generated by computing devices are often lost during malfunctions or crashes, as they are not stored and can only be monitored in real-time, making it difficult for administrators to debug issues if they are not being actively monitored.
Innovation Solution
A service controller embedded in the computing device can redirect and store serial output messages, including console messages, in non-volatile memory for later retrieval, allowing administrators to access these messages even after a malfunction or crash, and copy them to persistent storage upon reboot to prevent data loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If console messages are streamed out in real-time without storage, then bandwidth usage is minimized and device complexity is reduced, but console messages are lost during malfunctions or crashes making debugging impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the console message storage function from the main computing device and places it in a separate service controller. This service controller independently captures and stores console messages in non-volatile memory, ensuring message availability during malfunctions without adding storage complexity to the main device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The service controller acts as an intermediary between the computing device and the external management device. It intercepts console messages, stores them in non-volatile memory, and makes them available for retrieval after crashes, thereby ensuring message reliability without requiring the main device to have built-in storage capabilities.
2Loss of information
If console messages are stored in non-volatile memory, then messages can be retrieved after crashes, but memory usage increases and cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The service controller stores only console messages in non-volatile memory, not all types of device data. This partial storage approach prevents complete message loss during crashes while avoiding the excessive memory capacity requirements that would be needed if all device operations were logged, thereby balancing information retention with resource consumption.
3Loss of information
If administrators must actively monitor console messages in real-time, then messages are captured, but debugging is impossible when administrators are not present
Solution Approach 1:
The service controller performs preliminary action by automatically capturing and storing console messages in non-volatile memory before any crash occurs. This eliminates the need for administrators to actively monitor messages in real-time, as the messages are already preserved and can be retrieved for debugging after the fact, thereby improving ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If serial output is redirected over network, then remote monitoring is enabled, but messages are still lost if not actively monitored and storage is not implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two functions: network redirection for remote monitoring and local non-volatile storage for message preservation. The service controller simultaneously redirects console messages over the network and stores them locally, ensuring that administrators can remotely monitor messages while also preserving them for later retrieval if they are not actively monitoring, thereby achieving both adaptability and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A service controller of a computing device can store console messages so that an external management device can retrieve the console messages after a malfunction or crash of the computing device. For example, the service controller can be configured to redirect serial output (e.g., console messages, system log messages, system error message, etc.) to a network interface controller for transmission over a network connection. The service controller can be configured to store the console messages in non-volatile memory of the service controller. The service controller can receive a request for the stored console messages and transmit the stored console messages to an external device.