USB Terminal Server BMC Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In scenarios where a server is completely powered down and lacks local power, existing USB communication methods are ineffective as they cannot establish a connection to the server's USB interface, hindering out-of-band control and management.
Innovation Solution
A USB terminal server system that selectively applies power to specific interfaces, enabling a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) to be powered from an external USB interface, and includes a terminal manager circuit to manage and test connectivity to multiple endpoints, applying power as needed to unresponsive BMCs to restore functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a server is completely powered down, then power consumption is reduced, but USB communication capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the server's power state by maintaining the BMC in a low-power or powered-off state while keeping the USB interface separately powerable. This allows the communication interface to be independently activated without powering up the entire server, resolving the contradiction between power savings and communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The BMC acts as an intermediary component that can be selectively powered through the USB interface. It mediates between the powered-down server state and the need for external communication, enabling out-of-band management while the server remains off.
2Reliability
If power is applied to power up an endpoint, then connectivity is enabled, but power is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic or on-demand power application to USB interfaces rather than continuous power. The terminal server can selectively apply power when connectivity is needed and remove it when not needed, enabling connectivity on demand while minimizing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Power is applied locally and selectively to specific USB interfaces or endpoints that need connectivity, rather than powering up the entire server. This localized power application enables connectivity for specific components while leaving other parts of the system powered down.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal serial bus (USB) server includes USB connectors. Each USB connector is configured to interface via USB to an endpoint server. The server includes a terminal manager configured to issue a command to a first endpoint server via a selected one of the USB connectors. The selected USB connector is associated with and connected to the first endpoint server. The terminal manager is further configured to determine whether a response has been received to the command, and, based on a determination that no response has been received to the command, attempt to power up the first endpoint server through the selected one of USB connectors.