Virtual Service Processor Data Bridging for Power Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information handling systems face challenges in reducing power consumption and efficiently managing service processors, particularly in configuring and controlling peripheral devices across multiple information handling systems.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a virtual service processor managed by a management controller, which communicates commands and data to service processors and peripheral devices, enabling out-of-band management and optimizing power consumption by dynamically allocating resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple service processors are used to manage peripheral devices across information handling systems, then device management capability is improved, but power consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice management capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The management controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it can execute the virtual service processor for managing peripheral devices, operate as a standalone management controller, and dynamically allocate resources between these roles. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve comprehensive device management capability while reducing the need for separate dedicated service processors, thereby lowering overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual service processor creates a software-based copy of service processor functionality that runs on the management controller. This virtualized copy provides the necessary device management capabilities without requiring physical hardware duplication, reducing power consumption while maintaining adaptability for managing multiple peripheral devices across information handling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If dedicated service processors are allocated to each information handling system, then device control reliability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice control reliabilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic resource allocation where the management controller can flexibly assign processing resources to different service processor virtual machines based on real-time demands. This dynamic approach ensures that each information handling system receives adequate processing power for reliable device control while allowing resources to be shared and reallocated across multiple systems, thereby improving overall resource utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The management controller acts as an intermediary between multiple information handling systems and their respective service processor requirements. It mediates resource allocation by running multiple service processor instances virtually, ensuring each system gets the reliability needed for device control while efficiently sharing the physical hardware resources across all systems, thus improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If service processors are consolidated into a shared management controller, then power consumption is reduced, but management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmanagement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management controller incorporates self-service capabilities through automated resource allocation algorithms and dynamic service processor management. The system can automatically provision, configure, and manage multiple virtual service processors without requiring complex manual intervention, thereby reducing power consumption through consolidation while keeping management complexity manageable through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If virtual service processor is implemented on management controller, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments service processor functionality into virtualized components that can be independently managed and allocated. By dividing the management controller's capabilities into separate virtual service processor instances, each handling specific device management tasks, the system achieves flexible resource allocation while organizing complexity into manageable, isolated segments rather than a monolithic complex system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10430351B2Systems and methods for virtual service processor data bridging

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a processor, a peripheral device, and a service processor communicatively coupled to the processor and the peripheral device and configured to perform out-of-band management of the information handling system. The service processor may further configured to communicatively couple to a management controller having executing thereon a virtual service processor, receive a command associated with the peripheral device from the management controller, deliver the command to the peripheral device, receive data from the peripheral device, and communicate the data to the management controller.