Configurable Video Redirection in Data Center BMCs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Information Handling Systems (IHSs) face challenges in efficiently managing video redirection across remote locations, particularly in selecting the appropriate video redirection components that meet bandwidth, pixel resolution, and frame rate requirements, leading to performance issues such as sluggish mouse movements and slower video updates.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a protocol mapper in Baseband Management Controllers (BMCs), Chassis Management Controllers (CMCs), and Top-of-Rack (ToR) switches to inventory and select suitable video redirection components, such as Virtual Network Computing (VNC) and Dynamic Virtual Channel (DVC), based on software license status, bandwidth, pixel resolution, and frame rate, and using a circular framebuffer to proactively capture and store video frames for immediate transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional video redirection protocols are used without component selection, then system complexity is reduced, but video update performance and frame rate requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
A protocol mapper is introduced as an intermediary component between the video redirection client and multiple video redirection components. The protocol mapper receives redirection requests, selects the appropriate video redirection component based on requirements (bandwidth, resolution, frame rate), and manages the framebuffer. This intermediary structure enables performance optimization without requiring client-side complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The selected video redirection component proactively captures video frames and stores them in the framebuffer in advance, before client requests are processed. This preliminary action ensures that video frames are ready for immediate transmission, improving update performance and reducing latency when clients request video redirection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple video redirection components are supported with selection logic, then adaptability to different bandwidth and resolution requirements is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The video redirection system is segmented into distinct functional components: multiple video redirection components (VNC, DVC, etc.), a protocol mapper, and a framebuffer. Each component has a specific function, and the protocol mapper orchestrates their selection and coordination. This segmentation allows the system to support multiple protocols and requirements while managing complexity through clear separation of concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The protocol mapper serves multiple functions: it inventories available video redirection components, selects the appropriate component based on client requirements (bandwidth, resolution, frame rate), manages the framebuffer, and handles protocol conversion. This multi-functional design consolidates complexity into a single component rather than distributing it across the entire system.
3Speed
If video frames are captured and stored proactively in a circular framebuffer, then video update speed and FPS are improved, but memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The framebuffer is implemented as a circular buffer that periodically overwrites old video frames with new ones. Instead of storing all historical frames indefinitely, the system maintains a rolling window of recent frames. This periodic action ensures that memory usage remains bounded while still providing recent video frames for rapid transmission when requested by clients.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of systems and methods for providing configurable video redirection in a data center are discussed. In an embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a Baseband Management Controller (BMC); and a memory coupled to the BMC, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the BMC, cause the BMC to: receive a request from a remote client, where the request follows a first protocol; select one of a plurality of redirection components available to the IHS to populate a framebuffer with video frames using a second protocol; retrieve the video frames from the framebuffer; and transmit a response to the remote client following the first protocol, where the response comprises the video frames.