Service Processor Hardware Diagnostics via Dual-Port Storage

Solution Overview

Problem

In computing systems, diagnosing hardware component failures becomes challenging when the system processor fails to load the operating system, preventing access to diagnostic information stored in memory locations.

Innovation Solution

A storage server device equipped with a service processor and a dual port data storage device allows the service processor to independently retrieve diagnostic information via a service port, even if the system processor is unavailable, using a separate operating system and communication interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operating system is executed by the system processor to retrieve diagnostic information, then the diagnostic process can be performed using standard operating procedures, but the system processor must be functional and able to load the operating system, which creates a dependency that prevents diagnostic access during system processor failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic information retrievalVSAvoidavailability of diagnostic access during system processor failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent processing paths: a system processor path for normal operations and a service processor path for diagnostic and maintenance operations. The service processor is separate from the system processor and can operate independently, allowing diagnostic information retrieval even when the system processor fails to load the operating system. This segmentation eliminates the dependency between the system processor and diagnostic functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The service processor acts as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between hardware components and diagnostic information retrieval. It provides a dedicated pathway for accessing diagnostic data without requiring the system processor to be functional, thereby ensuring reliable diagnostic access during system processor failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the system processor is used to access memory locations for diagnostic information, then standard operating procedures can be followed, but the system processor must be reliably loaded and functional, which increases the risk of diagnostic unavailability during failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operation efficiencyVSAvoiddiagnostic information accessibility during system processor failure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent processing paths: a system processor path for normal operations and a service processor path for diagnostic and maintenance operations. The service processor is separate from the system processor and can operate independently, allowing diagnostic information retrieval even when the system processor fails to load the operating system. This segmentation eliminates the dependency between the system processor and diagnostic functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The service processor provides self-service diagnostic capabilities that do not depend on the system processor being functional. It can independently access diagnostic information from memory locations and perform maintenance operations, ensuring that the diagnostic function remains available even when the system processor experiences failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If a single processor architecture is used for both system operations and diagnostic retrieval, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of diagnostic access is compromised when the processor fails to load the operating system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessor architecture structureVSAvoiddiagnostic access during processor failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent processing paths: a system processor path for normal operations and a service processor path for diagnostic and maintenance operations. The service processor is separate from the system processor and can operate independently, allowing diagnostic information retrieval even when the system processor fails to load the operating system. This segmentation eliminates the dependency between the system processor and diagnostic functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9389941B2Methods for diagnosing hardware component failure and devices thereof

Publication Date: 2016.07.12 NETAPP INC

AI summary

A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and storage server device that determines with a service processor when a system processor has experienced an error, the system processor coupled to a data storage device via a system port of the data storage device. Diagnostic information is retrieved with the service processor from the data storage device via a service port of the data storage device, when the system processor is determined to have experienced an error. The diagnostic information includes error or exception information associated with one or more hardware components. The retrieved diagnostic information is output by the service processor.