Virtualization Aware Server Maintenance Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information handling systems face challenges in efficiently managing maintenance operations, leading to potential data loss and prolonged downtime due to manual synchronization and lack of real-time awareness across management stations, especially in virtualization environments.

Innovation Solution

A virtualization aware server maintenance mode is introduced, where a virtualization manager automatically tracks and communicates maintenance activities, reducing downtime and manual intervention by synchronizing maintenance operations across systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If manual synchronization methods are used for maintenance operations, then system compatibility and ease of implementation are maintained, but downtime is prolonged and real-time awareness across management stations is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedowntimeVSAvoidmanual synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-service maintenance mode management where the information handling system automatically notifies the virtualization manager when entering maintenance mode, and the virtualization manager automatically notifies management stations, eliminating the need for manual synchronization while reducing downtime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automated feedback loops where the information handling system provides status information to the virtualization manager, which then distributes notifications to management stations, ensuring real-time awareness without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If maintenance mode status is not communicated across management stations, then system complexity is reduced, but data loss risk and operational awareness are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata loss preventionVSAvoidcommunication protocol

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses existing universal communication interfaces and protocols that are already present in virtualization and management environments, allowing maintenance mode status communication without requiring new specialized protocols, thus maintaining reliability while avoiding additional complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The virtualization manager acts as an intermediary that receives maintenance mode status from the information handling system and distributes it to management stations, ensuring reliable data loss prevention through automated communication without requiring direct complex point-to-point protocols between all components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9652281B2System and method for virtualization aware server maintenance mode

Publication Date: 2017.05.16 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

In accordance with the present disclosure, a system and method are herein disclosed for providing a virtualization aware server maintenance mode. In one embodiment, an event is triggered in when a system action request is received by an information handling system. The event is processed and the hypervisor is placed in maintenance mode. The virtualization manager is notified that the mode of the hypervisor has changed and the virtualization manager stores the information associated with the mode status change. The virtualization manager may also notify other remote access consoles or virtualization managers of the mode status change of the hypervisor. A maintenance mode lock may be acquired when the hypervisor is placed in maintenance mode and released after the system action has been processed.