Smart NIC Sideband Interface for Management Network Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network management systems require additional ports or dedicated NICs for host CPU to connect to management networks, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A Smart NIC with a sideband interface allows the host CPU to connect to the management network through a baseboard management controller, eliminating the need for additional ports or NICs by using embedded switch logic and interface circuitry to route traffic and manage data flows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional network ports or dedicated NICs are added to enable host CPU connection to management network, then connectivity and management capability are improved, but device complexity and hardware cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement network connectivityVSAvoidhardware components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The Smart NIC's sideband interface is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides both data network connectivity through network ports and management network connectivity through the same interface when coupled with the BMC. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated NICs or additional ports, resolving the contradiction by making existing hardware components universal rather than specialized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the management network connectivity function into the existing Smart NIC sideband interface by introducing an embedded CPU that can route management traffic. Instead of adding separate hardware components, the solution combines management and data network functions within the same physical interface, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining connectivity capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional network ports or dedicated NICs are added for host CPU management connection, then management capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote management capabilityVSAvoidhardware cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sideband interface is designed to perform both data transmission and management functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated NICs. This multi-functionality reduces the bill of materials and assembly complexity, directly lowering manufacturing costs while preserving remote management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The embedded CPU within the Smart NIC autonomously manages the routing of management traffic without requiring external intervention or additional hardware configuration. The system self-configures to enable management network connectivity through the existing sideband interface, reducing both hardware costs and assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If sideband interface is used for BMC to access management network, then hardware requirements are reduced, but BMC control over NIC may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware componentsVSAvoidBMC control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments traffic flow by implementing separate data paths for management traffic and data traffic within the Smart NIC. The embedded CPU routes management packets through a dedicated management network interface, isolating management control traffic from data traffic. This segmentation ensures that BMC control over the NIC remains independent and reliable, even while using the same physical sideband interface for both management and data communications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10587535B2Adding a network port to a network interface card via NC-SI embedded CPU

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 MELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES LTD(IL)

AI summary

A host computer is linked to a network interface controller having a plurality of network ports connectable to a data network. The network interface controller has an embedded central processing unit, a host interface linked to the host central processing unit, a sideband interface and a baseboard management controller linked to the network interface controller via the sideband interface. The baseboard management controller connects to a management network via the management network port. The embedded central processing unit in the network interface controller is linked to a datacenter manager via the management network port of the baseboard management controller, enabling the datacenter manager to instruct the embedded central processing unit to control data flows in the network interface controller between the host interface and the data network.