Virtual Serial Concentrator for Concurrent VM Out-of-Band Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Server management remote access methods and virtual machines do not work well together in server-type information handling systems, particularly when in-band network connections are lost, making it difficult to manage and reconfigure connectivity, and existing remote management solutions only allow one-to-one access.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic port count virtual serial concentrator coupled with a virtualization device and a remote plugin that maps emulated serial ports to virtual machines, enabling multiple remote users to concurrently access and control virtual machine serial consoles without requiring additional hardware or BIOS enhancements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a remote access controller (iDRAC/BMC) is used for server management, then out-of-band access is provided, but simultaneous access to multiple virtual machines is not enabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the remote access functionality by creating separate virtual serial ports for each virtual machine, allowing the remote access controller to independently manage and provide simultaneous access to multiple VMs through individualized communication channels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual serial concentrator as an intermediary component that sits between the remote access controller and multiple virtual machines, enabling the controller to communicate with multiple VMs simultaneously by managing virtual serial port connections
2Ease of operation
If in-band network connections are used for virtual machine access, then network connectivity is provided, but access is lost when network connections are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a serial console redirection mechanism as an intermediary that provides an alternative access path through out-of-band serial connections, allowing administrators to access virtual machines independently of network connectivity status
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the communication parameter from network-based (in-band) to serial-based (out-of-band), fundamentally altering the access mechanism to be independent of network connectivity and providing reliable access under all conditions
3Ease of operation
If serial console redirection is implemented via BIOS with physical UARTs, then serial access is provided, but additional hardware requirements are imposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of serial ports through software emulation in the virtual serial concentrator, allowing serial console access to virtual machines without requiring additional physical UART hardware in the server system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware-based serial access (physical UARTs in BIOS) with a software-based virtual serial port system, eliminating the need for additional physical hardware while maintaining serial console functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing dynamic access through which I/O access such as serial ports, and thus administrators who manage servers, can see, obtain health, state or interact concurrently with multiple VMs on a given physical server. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the system and method includes a dynamic port count virtual serial concentrator coupled with a virtualization device to map emulated serial ports to virtual machines along with a remote plugin that provide dynamic concurrent serial access to many virtual machine serial consoles under a secure and collaborative friendly environment.