SmartNIC OS Deployment via BMC Out-of-Band Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deploying a SmartNIC operating system (OS) is challenging due to limited onboard storage in baseboard management controllers (BMCs), which cannot store the full OS image, requiring an external network that may not always be available.
Innovation Solution
An information handling system with a management controller that receives and transmits OS installation information to a network interface storage resource, allowing the OS to be installed without relying on an external network, using out-of-band management and Redfish® operations to stream the OS image and expose it as a network-bootable target.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the full OS image is stored on the BMC, then the SmartNIC OS can be installed, but the BMC's limited onboard storage cannot accommodate the full OS image
Solution Approach 1:
The OS image is segmented into multiple parts and distributed across different storage locations. The BMC stores only a bootable portion or metadata, while the full OS image is obtained from external sources (network, local host system, or other storage devices) during the installation process. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing complete OS installation without requiring the BMC to hold the entire image.
Solution Approach 2:
The BMC performs preliminary actions by storing a bootable image or installation metadata that enables the SmartNIC to boot and initiate the OS installation process. The full OS image is then loaded during the boot/installation sequence from external sources. This preliminary preparation allows the system to overcome the storage limitation while maintaining installation capability.
2Quantity of substance
If an external network is used for OS image transfer, then sufficient storage space is available, but the external network may not always be available
Solution Approach 1:
The BMC acts as an intermediary that can obtain OS images from multiple sources including but not limited to external networks. It can also retrieve images from local host systems, internal storage devices, or other available sources. This multi-source approach reduces dependency on any single external network while maintaining the ability to transfer complete OS images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the source parameter for OS image retrieval based on availability. Instead of being fixed to external network sources, the system can switch between network sources, local host systems, internal storage, and other sources depending on current conditions. This parameter flexibility ensures reliable OS installation regardless of external network availability.
3Ease of operation
If the BMC uses its onboard storage for OS image, then installation can proceed, but the limited storage space is insufficient for the full OS image
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves the OS image storage from a single-dimension constraint (BMC onboard storage) to multiple dimensions by utilizing external and internal resources. The BMC coordinates with host systems, network resources, and other storage devices to provide the necessary storage space, effectively adding spatial and resource dimensions to the installation process.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system may include a host system, a management controller configured to provide out-of-band management of the information handling system, and a network interface including a network interface storage resource. The management controller may be configured to: receive, from the host system, information relating to installation of a network interface operating system; transmit the information to the network interface; and cause the network interface to install the network interface operating system onto the network interface storage resource.