Virtual Chassis Management Controller via BMC Merging

Solution Overview

Problem

Current server chassis management systems require a separate physical chassis management controller (CMC), which increases costs, complexity, and delays in managing chassis-level components, as they rely on a microcontroller for CMC functions.

Innovation Solution

Configuring one or more baseboard management controllers (BMCs) to operate as a virtual chassis management controller (VCMC), eliminating the need for a separate CMC by leveraging their computing power to manage chassis-level components via Intelligent Platform Management Bus (IPMB) and Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) buses, and using a chassis switch to selectively connect BMCs to components based on priority or classification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate physical chassis management controller (CMC) is used, then chassis-level component management is achieved, but hardware costs and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechassis management capabilityVSAvoidhardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the chassis management controller (CMC) functionality with the baseboard management controller (BMC) by having the BMC execute additional instructions to perform CMC functions. This integration eliminates the need for a separate physical CMC hardware component, reducing system complexity and hardware costs while maintaining chassis management capabilities through software-based virtualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The BMC is designed to perform multiple functions - both its original baseboard management responsibilities and the additional chassis management controller functions. By configuring the BMC to execute instructions for managing chassis-level components, the system achieves multi-functionality in a single controller, eliminating the need for dedicated separate hardware for each management function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate physical CMC is used, then chassis management functions are provided, but system costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechassis management capabilityVSAvoidhardware components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the chassis management controller (CMC) functionality with the baseboard management controller (BMC) by having the BMC execute additional instructions to perform CMC functions. This integration eliminates the need for a separate physical CMC hardware component, reducing system complexity and hardware costs while maintaining chassis management capabilities through software-based virtualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the CMC management functions from separate physical hardware and relocates them to the BMC through software instructions. By taking out the CMC functionality from dedicated hardware and implementing it within the existing BMC architecture, the system reduces the quantity of physical hardware components while preserving the essential chassis management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a separate physical CMC is used, then chassis component management is achieved, but management delays occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechassis management capabilityVSAvoidmanagement response time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the chassis management controller (CMC) functionality with the baseboard management controller (BMC) by having the BMC execute additional instructions to perform CMC functions. This integration eliminates the need for a separate physical CMC hardware component, reducing system complexity and hardware costs while maintaining chassis management capabilities through software-based virtualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10402207B2Virtual chassis management controller

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 QUANTA COMPUTER INC

AI summary

A system for chassis management includes a plurality of motherboards of a chassis, a plurality of baseboard management controllers (BMCs), and at least one chassis level component. Each of the plurality of BMCs is associated with one of the plurality of motherboards. The plurality of BMCs are interconnected via a first communication bus. The plurality of BMCs and the at least one chassis level component are interconnected via a second communication bus. One BMC of the plurality of BMCs is configured to operate as a virtual chassis management controller (VCMC) for the chassis. The VCMC is configured to exchange data with other BMCs of the plurality of BMCs over the first communication bus and manage the at least one chassis level component over the second communication bus.