SmartNIC Serial Console Offload for Stable Out-of-Band Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
BMC-based Serial Over LAN (SOL) performance and stability are less than ideal due to network instability and memory impact from large serial data volumes, affecting the BMC's functionality.
Innovation Solution
Offload serial console transport functionality from the management controller to a SmartNIC, utilizing its onboard storage and processor to manage and secure serial console data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If BMC-based SOL is used to redirect serial data over the management network, then serial console access is enabled, but performance and stability deteriorate due to network instability and memory impact from large serial data volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the SOL functionality from the BMC and relocates it to the SmartNIC. The SmartNIC's onboard storage and processor are utilized to handle serial console data, removing the memory burden and processing load from the BMC. This extraction resolves the contradiction by enabling SOL functionality without compromising BMC stability or performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The SmartNIC acts as an intermediary between the host system's serial port and the management network. It receives serial data from the host, stores it in its onboard storage, and manages transmission to remote systems. This intermediary role protects the BMC from direct exposure to large data volumes and network instability, resolving the reliability and complexity contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If BMC uses its memory as cache for serial data, then serial console functionality is maintained, but BMC performance deteriorates under large data volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the memory caching function for serial data from the BMC and relocates it to the SmartNIC's onboard storage. This extraction allows the BMC to maintain serial console functionality through the SmartNIC while preserving BMC performance by eliminating the memory burden. The SmartNIC handles all serial data storage and management independently.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a long-lasting connection is maintained between BMC and management server for SOL, then serial console access is sustained, but stability decreases due to network instability
Solution Approach 1:
The SmartNIC serves as an intermediary that buffers and manages serial console data transmission. It maintains the connection to the management server while isolating the BMC from network instability. The SmartNIC's onboard storage allows it to sustain long-lasting connections and handle network fluctuations without impacting overall system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The SmartNIC's onboard storage provides a buffer that cushions against network instability before it affects the BMC. By pre-storing serial data and managing transmission independently, the system can sustain long-lasting SOL connections while protecting against the destabilizing effects of network fluctuations.
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 processor. The information handling system may be configured to: transmit serial console data from the host system to the network interface; store the serial console data in onboard storage of the network interface; and execute, at the network interface processor, a management agent configured to provide access to the serial console data from a remote information handling system.