Service Processor Setup Interface for Persistent Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tools for configuring service processors require changes during every boot and are not suitable for testing behavior at power-on reset, necessitating a mechanism for convenient re-configuration of components.

Innovation Solution

A service processor generates a user interface providing access to platform-specific configurations, allowing inputs for modifying configuration data items, which are then updated accordingly, enabling flexible and persistent configuration management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If current configuration tools are used to modify service processor settings, then configuration changes can be made, but changes require every boot cycle and cannot test power-on reset behavior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidboot cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a setup interface that allows configuration changes to be made before the service processor enters its operational boot cycle. Configuration data is captured and stored in non-volatile memory during a dedicated setup phase, enabling changes to take effect at power-on reset without requiring multiple boot cycles for testing and verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If configuration changes are made during every boot, then re-configuration is possible, but testing behavior at power on reset becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvere-configuration capabilityVSAvoidpower on reset behavior testing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The setup interface captures configuration data before the service processor begins its operational boot sequence. This preliminary configuration phase allows developers to test power-on reset behavior with specific configuration settings without the interference of subsequent boot cycle modifications, ensuring reliable testing of initialization behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the configuration process into distinct phases: a setup phase where configuration data is captured and stored, and an operational phase where the service processor runs with those configurations. This segmentation allows independent testing of power-on reset behavior while maintaining re-configuration capabilities through the setup interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If hardware components are configured to run firmware, then the service processor becomes operational, but convenient re-configurations of components cannot be made

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice processor operabilityVSAvoidcomponent re-configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic configuration system where hardware components can be re-configured through the setup interface without requiring changes to the firmware itself. Configuration data stored in non-volatile memory allows the service processor to adapt its hardware component settings while maintaining operational reliability, enabling flexible re-configuration for different testing and deployment scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10742496B2Platform specific configurations setup interface for service processor

Publication Date: 2020.08.11 AMERICAN MEGATRENDS

AI summary

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a service processor. The service processor generates a user interface on the service processor. The user interface providing access to platform specific configurations of the service processor. The service processor receives, through the user interface, an input for modifying a first configuration data item of the platform specific configurations. The service processor accordingly modifies the first configuration data item in accordance with the input.