TWI553490B - Method and system for remote system configuration management and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Description

Remote system configuration management method, remote system configuration management system and Non-transitory computer readable storage multimedia

The present invention relates to a management computer system, and more particularly to a method and system for automatically collecting debug information in a server device.

The Basic Input Output System (BIOS) is a functional firmware that ensures that a plurality of computing elements of a system are functional. The basic input/output system stores a firmware that is executed with a set of configurations assigned to the basic input/output system when the computer system is turned on. Basic input and output systems typically identify, initialize, and test hardware in a computing system.

For example, the basic input/output system first performs a self-test (POST) and then reads the operating system. The basic I/O system also provides an interface that can be set up with a variety of different parameters. In particular, the basic input and output system can correct timing, bus speed, and other parameters that can affect the performance of the computer system. The basic input and output system finally transfers control of the computer system to an operating system. The basic input/output system configuration can be stored in a non-volatile memory (eg, a non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM)) or a read-only memory (read-only memory). ROM).

Basic input and output systems sometimes need to be updated to ensure the proper functioning of a computer system. For example, the basic input/output system needs to be updated to coordinate with a newly added processor, or the basic input/output system needs to be updated when a bug is detected in the basic input/output system.

Aspects of the invention relate to an update technique for performing a remote basic input output system configuration using a shared storage device between a service controller and a basic input output system. By performing a network-based protocol, the present invention can achieve a remote and efficient basic input and output system management method. The present invention can also perform an out-of-band server management when the primary server is powered off or unavailable.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a remote system configuration management method includes: booting a computing device; receiving an updated basic input/output system configuration from a remote management device on a service controller of the computing device. And storing, by the service controller, the updated basic input/output system to a storage device, wherein the storage device is shared by the service controller of the computing device and a basic input/output system; and is retrieved by using the service controller The updated basic input/output system configuration in the storage device; and the basic input/output system configuration for transmitting the update to the remote management device via the service controller.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a non-transitory computer readable storage multimedia is provided for storing a plurality of instructions when the instructions are processed When the apparatus is executed, causing the processor to perform at least one of the following operations, the operation comprising: receiving an updated basic input/output system configuration on a storage device, wherein the storage device comprises a service controller and a basic input/output system The basic input/output system is stored in the storage device; a basic input/output system configuration request is received from a remote management device on the service controller; and the storage controller is retrieved through the service controller. The updated basic input/output system configuration; and the basic input/output system configuration for transmitting the update to the remote management device.

In some embodiments of the invention, a service controller (eg, a baseboard management controller) is used to remotely update the basic input output system configuration when one of the computing devices associated with the baseboard management controller is powered down or unavailable. Regardless of the operational state of the primary processor, the baseboard management controller establishes a dedicated network interface with a remote management device. The baseboard management controller receives an updated basic input/output system configuration from a remote management device via a dedicated network interface (e.g., a local area network). The substrate management controller stores the updated basic input/output system configuration through a system interface (eg, a PCIe bus) to the shared storage device between the base management controller of the computing device and the basic input/output system. When the computing device is booted up, the basic input output system identifies the updated basic input/output system configuration in the shared storage device and retrieves the updated basic input output system configuration (eg, updating the basic input output system configuration to turn on the computing device) One of the booting processes). In addition, other service controllers (for example, Rack Management Controller (RMC)) are used to update the basic input and output system configuration.

In some embodiments of the invention, a service controller provides more A copy of the new basic input/output system configuration is given to a remote management device. For example, the baseboard management controller retrieves the updated basic input output system configuration from the storage device for sharing with the baseboard management controller and the basic input output system. In addition, for example, the baseboard management controller is configured to transmit a newer basic input/output system to a remote management device via a local area network.

In some embodiments of the invention, a storage device is shared by a service controller and a basic input output system. The storage device can store any of a plurality of program instructions or materials for a period of time. The storage device is a shared memory between the service controller and the basic input/output system. According to some embodiments, the storage device is a flash drive, a random access memory (RAM), and a non-volatile random-access memory. , NVRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or a mail register (mailbox register) .

Although the present invention utilizes a substrate management controller as an illustration, the invention is not limited thereto. Conversely, any service controller that is independent of the baseboard management controller can be used to remotely update the basic input output system configuration.

In addition, although the present invention utilizes a Remote Management Control Protocol (RMCP) or an intelligent platform management bus/bridge (IPMB) as a means of transmitting data between different devices/components. The method, but the invention is applicable to other protocols for processing data transmission as described herein.

The features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the description which follows, and in part The features and advantages of the invention are obtained and attained in particular by the combination of the instrument in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will be apparent from the description and appended claims.

100‧‧‧Remote System Configuration Management System

102‧‧‧Server

104, 402‧‧‧Base management controller

108, 414‧‧‧ storage devices

110‧‧‧Basic input and output system

112‧‧‧Remote management device

114‧‧‧Updated basic I/O system configuration

116‧‧‧Local Area Network

202, 204, 206, 208, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310 ‧ ‧ steps

400‧‧‧ Computing Platform

404‧‧‧ processor

406‧‧‧ memory

408‧‧‧ input device

410‧‧‧Internet interface

412‧‧‧ panel

Various examples (embodiments) of the present invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a remote system configuration management system according to some embodiments of the present invention; The figure depicts a flow diagram of a remote system configuration management system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; and FIG. 3 depicts a remote system configuration management system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Flowchart; Figure 4 depicts a computing platform for implementing the systems and processes of Figures 1-3.

While the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto, and the present invention may be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Scope of protection This is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application.

The basic input and output system is responsible for initializing and testing an important system component of a plurality of hardware components in a computing system. The basic input and output system provides an abstraction layer to provide a consistent way of the application and an operating system that interacts with external devices such as a keyboard, a panel, or other input/output devices.

For example, the basic input output system runs a system check before the operating system (eg, Microsoft operating system, Linux operating system, or any operating system) is powered on. System detection is one of the diagnostic system tests performed during the initialization of a computing device. A boot self-test is an example of system detection. The main functions of the boot self-test are performed by the basic input/output system. The basic input/output system can assign some responsibilities to other programs to design and initialize a specific plurality of external devices, for example, a small computer system interface (video and small computer system). Interface, SCSI) initialization. The main functions of the basic input/output system during power-on self-test include confirming the integrity of the central processor register and the basic input/output system code, detecting the basic components, checking the system's main memory, and controlling Transfer to other special basic input and output system expansion. Power-on self-test can be used to explore, initialize, and catalog all system busses and devices, provide a user interface for one of the system configurations, and establish one of the system environments required for the operating system.

Basic I/O system configurations often need to be updated. For example, the basic input output system configuration is set by the manufacturer. For customization needs, the user needs to reset the basic input and output system configuration.

Traditional techniques for updating basic I/O system configurations include using console redirection. However, these traditional techniques are not efficient when a large number of basic input and output system configurations need to be updated (eg, in a data center). For example, for console redirection, the basic input/output system needs to execute a special program (for example, a basic input/output system setting utility) to set the basic input/output system configuration. This traditional approach is not friendly to users and is inefficient for a large number of computing devices.

The present invention therefore discloses a remote basic input output system management system that provides a flexible and efficient basic input/output system configuration. According to some embodiments, the present invention enables a remote basic input output system to be updated by a storage device between a service controller and a basic input/output system. In particular, the present invention can improve the efficiency of basic input and output system configuration updates. Since the service controller can be connected to a remote management device via a network, the service controller can eliminate the inflexibility caused by console redirection or other similar techniques. What is more, the present invention can cause an out-of-band system configuration to be updated when the primary CPU is shut down.

1 is a block diagram depicting a remote system configuration management system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the topology in FIG. 1 is an example. Any number of servers, remote management devices, and system components can be included in the remote system configuration management system of FIG.

For example, a remote system configuration management system 100 includes a remote management device 112 and a server 102. According to some embodiments, the server 102 includes a baseboard management controller (baseboard management controller, BMC) 104, a basic input/output system 110, and a storage device 108. In addition, server 102 includes a network interface controller (not shown) for network connection and a primary processor (not shown). For this purpose, server 102 is any computing device that is operable to calculate and process any form of data. For example, the server 102 can be a personal computer, a network storage device, or a network computing device. For example, the server 102 can further include a plurality of basic input and output devices (eg, a display, one or more storage devices (eg, redundant array of independent disks (RAID)), and One or more network interface controllers. The server 102 can be connected by a wired network (for example: Ethernet) or a wireless network connection (for example, local area network (LAN) 116) or a wide area network communicates with the remote management device 112.

Remote management device 112 can be any suitable computing device used by a system administrator to manage a server. For example, the remote management device 112 can be a personal computer, a tablet, or a web-based system. As shown in FIG. 1, remote management device 112 can store updated basic input output system configuration 114 to a stored multimedia. The updated basic input output system configuration 114 is executed by the basic input output system to update the basic input output system configuration.

As shown in FIG. 1, server 102 may include one or more service controllers (eg, baseboard management controllers) 104. In some embodiments, a baseboard management controller is responsible for managing and monitoring a primary central processing unit (eg, a processor) on the motherboard and a plurality of peripheral devices (eg, switch, compute node) And a separate embedded (embedded) microcontroller. Substrate management control in accordance with certain embodiments The device 104 communicates with the remote management device 112 by means of a dedicated network interface (e.g., a local area network) associated with a network interface controller (not shown). The substrate management controller 104 communicates with the storage device 108 via a plurality of memory-mapped input and output interfaces.

The baseboard management controller 104 implements out-of-band management when the server 102 is powered down or unavailable. Out-of-band management can be used to manage a dedicated channel of a plurality of network devices. For example, the baseboard management controller 104 can communicate with the Remote Management Control Protocol (RMCP) or the remote management control protocol through the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) through the local area network. The remote management device 112 communicates.

The storage device 108 can be any stored multimedia for storing program instructions or data for a period of time. The storage device 108 is a shared memory between the substrate management controller 104 and the basic input/output system 110. The storage device 108 can also be a separate storage device. According to some embodiments, the storage device 108 is a flash memory, a random access memory, a non-volatile random access memory, a read-only memory, and an electronic erasable rewritable read-only memory. Body or a mail register. The storage device 108 is configured to store a plurality of system configurations (eg, basic input/output system data).

The basic input/output system 110 is any program instruction or firmware used to initialize or identify various components of the server 102, including such as a keyboard, a panel, a data storage unit, and other input or output devices. .

As shown in FIG. 1, the remote management device 112 stores the updated basics. The input and output system configuration 114 and the updated basic input and output system configuration 114 are transmitted to the substrate management controller 104 via a network interface. For example, the remote management device 112 transmits the updated basic input/output system configuration 114 data to the baseboard management controller 104 via a local area network via a network interface (eg, a remote management control protocol). For example, the updated basic input output system configuration 114 can include a basic input output system preset configuration. According to some embodiments, when the remote management device 112 transmits the updated basic input output system configuration 114 to the baseboard management controller 104, the server 102 may be in a shutdown state.

After the substrate management controller 104 receives the updated basic input output system configuration 114, the substrate management controller 104 transmits the updated basic input output system configuration 114 to the storage device shared by the substrate management controller 104 and the basic input output system 110. 108. In accordance with some embodiments, the substrate management controller 104 transmits the updated basic input output system configuration 114 to the storage device 108 via a plurality of memory mapped input and output interface messages. After the storage device 108 receives the stored basic input/output system configuration 114, the storage device 108 stores the updated basic input output system configuration 114.

When the server 102 is powered on, the basic input output system 110 accesses the updated basic input output system configuration 114 stored by the storage device 108 and executes the updated basic input output system configuration 114 to initialize the server 102. In addition, the basic input output system 110 can also use the updated basic input output system configuration 114 to update the configuration of the basic input output system 110.

According to some embodiments, storing the updated basic input output system configuration 114 to the storage device 108 may cause the substrate management controller 104 to remotely provide a copy of the updated basic input output system configuration to a remote management device. Lift For example, a server manager sends a basic input/output system configuration information request through the remote management device 112. The remote management device 112 transmits the information request of the basic input/output system configuration to the baseboard management controller 104 through the local area network through a network (for example, a remote management control protocol). After the substrate management controller 104 receives the information request of the basic input/output system configuration, the substrate management controller 104 retrieves the updated basic input and output stored in the storage device 108 by using a plurality of memory mapped input/output interface messages. System configuration 114. According to some embodiments, the substrate management controller 104 transmits a request to the storage device 108 via a plurality of memory mapped input and output interface messages. In response to the above request, the storage device 108 transmits the updated basic input output system configuration 114 to the substrate management controller 104 via a plurality of memory mapped input and output interface messages.

The baseboard management controller 104 further transmits the updated basic input output system configuration 114 to the remote management device 112 via the local area network via a remote management control protocol. According to some embodiments, the baseboard management controller 104 provides an updated basic input output system configuration 114 to the remote management device 112 when the server 102 is powered down.

2 is a flow chart depicting a remote system configuration management system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that the invention may be practiced in an alternative, additional, or similar or different order of steps, within the scope of the various embodiments.

In step 202, a service controller of a computing device receives an updated basic input output system configuration 114 from a remote management device. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the remote management device 112 uses a network interface (eg, The remote management control protocol transmits the updated data of the basic input/output system configuration 114 to the baseboard management controller 104 via the local area network. For example, the updated basic input output system configuration 114 can include a basic input output system preset configuration. According to some embodiments, when the remote management device 112 transmits the updated basic input output system configuration 114 to the baseboard management controller 104, the server 102 may be in a shutdown state.

In step 204, the service controller stores the updated basic input output system configuration to one of the storage devices shared by the service controller and the basic input output system 110. For example, the substrate management controller 104 transmits the updated basic input output system configuration 114 to a storage device 108 having a shared access between the substrate management controller 104 and the basic input output system 110. According to some embodiments, the substrate management controller 104 transmits the updated basic input output system configuration 114 to the storage device 108. After the storage device 108 receives the updated basic input output system configuration 114, the storage device 108 stores the updated basic input output system configuration 114.

The storage device 108 can be any stored multimedia for storing program instructions or data for a period of time. The storage device 108 is a shared memory between the substrate management controller 104 and the basic input/output system 110. The storage device 108 can also be a separate storage device. According to some embodiments, the storage device 108 is a flash memory, a random access memory, a non-volatile random access memory, a read-only memory, and an electronic erasable rewritable read-only memory. Body or a mail register. The storage device 108 is configured to store a plurality of system configurations (eg, basic input/output system data).

In step 206, the computing device associated with the service controller is turned on. A boot process. For example, the server 102 can be powered on after a command issued by the remote management device 112.

In step 208, the basic input output system 110 accesses the updated basic input output system configuration 114 stored by the shared stored multimedia. For example, the basic input output system 110 accesses the updated basic input output system configuration 114 stored by the storage device 108 and executes the updated basic input output system configuration 114 to initialize the server 102.

3 is a flow chart depicting another remote system configuration management system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that the invention may be practiced in an alternative, additional, or similar or different order of steps, within the scope of the various embodiments.

In step 302, a storage device shared between a service controller and a basic input/output system receives an updated basic input/output system configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, storage device 108 receives updated basic input output system configuration 114 from base management controller 104. According to some embodiments, when the storage device 108 receives the updated basic input output system configuration 114 from the baseboard management controller 104, the server 102 may be in a powered off state.

In step 304, the storage device stores the updated basic input output system configuration.

In step 306, a service controller receives a basic input and output system request from a remote management device. For example, a server manager can issue a data request for a basic input/output system configuration through the remote management device 112 via a user interface. The remote management device 112 configures the updated basic input/output system through a network (eg, a remote management control protocol) The request is transmitted to the baseboard management controller 104 through the local area network.

In step 308, the service controller retrieves the basic input output system configuration from the storage device. For example, the substrate management controller 104 transmits a request to the storage device 108. In response to the above request, the storage device 108 transmits the updated basic input output system configuration 114 to the substrate management controller 104.

In step 310, the service controller transmits the updated basic input output system configuration to the remote management device. For example, the baseboard management controller 104 further transmits the updated basic input output system configuration 114 to the remote management device 112 via the local area network via a remote management control protocol. According to some embodiments, the baseboard management controller 104 can provide an updated basic input output system configuration 114 to the remote management device 112 when the server 102 is powered down.

Figure 4 depicts a computing platform 400 for implementing the systems and processes of Figures 1-3. The computing platform 400 includes a bus 418 that connects a plurality of subsystems and devices (eg, the baseboard management controller 402, the processor 404, the memory 406, the input device 408, the network interface 410, the panel 412, and the storage device 414). Processor 404 can be implemented by one or more central processing units, such as a central processing unit or one or more virtual processors manufactured by Intel Corporation, and any combination of central processing units and virtual processing units. The computing platform 400 includes a plurality of input and output devices including an input device 408 and a panel 412 (keyboard, mouse, audio input (eg, voice-to-text device), user interface, panel, cursor, touch-sensitive panel (touch-sensitive) Display), LED or LCD panel, and other I/O related devices, but not limited to exchange data representing input and output.

Computing platform 400 is performed by processor 404, in accordance with some embodiments A plurality of specific operations are performed to execute one or more sequences of one or more instructions stored in memory 406. The computing platform 400 is a server device or a device in a client-server arrangement, a peer-to-peer arrangement, or any mobile computing device (including: a smart phone, A device such as this is implemented. These instructions or materials can be read into memory 406 from other computer readable multimedia (eg, a storage device). In some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be implemented in place of or in combination with software instructions. Instructions can be embedded into software or firmware. The term "computer readable multimedia" refers to any tangible medium that participates in providing instructions to processor 404 for execution. These multimedia formats take many forms, including non-volatile multimedia and volatile multimedia, but are not limited to this. For example, non-volatile multimedia includes optical or magnetic disks, and the like, non-volatile multimedia. Volatile multimedia includes dynamic memory (eg, memory 406).

For example, common forms of computer readable multimedia include floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, read only. A compact disc (CD-ROM), any other optical medium, a punch card, a paper tape, any other physical medium with a pattern of holes, a dynamic access memory (RAM), Programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash erasable programmable read-only memory (FLASH-EPROM), any other memory chip (chip) or cassette (cartridge), or any other multimedia that can be read from a computer. The instructions can be transmitted or received using a transmission multimedia. The term "Transmission media" may include any means for storing, decoding or carrying a machine. The tangible or intangible multimedia of the instructions executed by the device, and includes digital or analog communication signals or other intangible multimedia to facilitate communication of these instructions. The transmission multimedia includes coaxial cables, copper wires, and fiber optics, and includes a bus bar 418 for transmitting a computer data signal.

In some embodiments, memory 406 includes a plurality of software programs including executable instructions that can implement the functions of the present invention. For example, the memory 406 includes a log manager, a log buffer, or a log repository - each of which can be used to provide one or more of the functions described herein. .

In order to clearly understand the present invention, although some details have been described in the foregoing embodiments, the technology disclosed in the present invention is not limited to the details provided above. There are still many alternative ways to implement the techniques of the above invention. The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not limiting.

100‧‧‧Remote System Configuration Management System

102‧‧‧Server

104‧‧‧Baseboard management controller

108‧‧‧Storage device

110‧‧‧Basic input and output system

112‧‧‧Remote management device

114‧‧‧Updated basic I/O system configuration

116‧‧‧Local Area Network

Claims (10)

A remote system configuration management method includes: booting a computing device; receiving an updated basic input/output system configuration from a remote management device on a service controller of the computing device; storing the above through the service controller The updated basic input/output system is configured to a storage device shared by the service controller of the computing device and a basic input/output system; and the basic of the update in the storage device is retrieved through the service controller An input/output system configuration; and transmitting, by the service controller, the updated basic input/output system configuration to the remote management device. The remote system configuration management method of claim 1, further comprising: retrieving the updated basic input/output system configuration in the storage device through the basic input/output system; and transmitting, by using the basic input/output system, The basic input/output system configuration is set using the updated basic input/output system configuration; and the updated basic input/output system configuration is stored to the storage device through the basic input/output system. The remote system configuration management method of claim 2, wherein the service controller of the computing device is configured to receive the updated basic input/output system configuration when the computing device is powered off. The remote system configuration management method according to claim 1, wherein The service controller is configured to receive the updated basic input/output system configuration through a plurality of remote management control protocol messages. The remote system configuration management method of claim 2, wherein the service controller is configured to transmit the updated basic input/output system configuration to the storage device through a plurality of memory mapped input/output interface messages. The remote system configuration management method of claim 2, wherein the step of retrieving the updated basic input/output system configuration through the basic input/output system further comprises: identifying the updated basic input in the storage device. Output system configuration. A remote system configuration management system comprising: a processor; and a memory device comprising a plurality of instructions, when the instructions are executed by the processor, causing the processor to perform the following steps: through a basic input/output system Receiving an updated basic input/output system configuration from a remote management device; storing the updated basic input/output system configuration to the storage device, the storage device being shared by the service controller and the basic input output system; Open one of the above remote system configuration management system boot programs. A non-transitory computer readable storage multimedia for storing a plurality of instructions, when the instructions are executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform at least one of the following operations, the operations comprising: Receiving an updated basic input/output system configuration on a storage device, the storage device being shared by a service controller and a basic input/output system; storing the basic input/output system disposed in the storage device; and the service controller Receiving a basic input/output system configuration request from a remote management device; retrieving the updated basic input/output system configuration in the storage device through the service controller; and transmitting the updated basic input/output system configuration to The above remote management device. The non-transitory computer readable storage multimedia according to claim 8, wherein the service controller is configured to retrieve the updated basic input in the storage device through a plurality of memory mapped input/output interface messages. Output system configuration. The non-transitory computer readable storage multimedia according to claim 8, wherein the operation further comprises: transmitting, by the service controller, a request for the updated basic input/output system configuration to the storage device; The updated basic input/output system configuration is received from the storage device.