U.S. patent application number 10/108207 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-25 for system and method for controlling remote console functionality assist logic.
Invention is credited to Butler, John V., Emerson, Theodore F., Tavallaei, Siamak.
Application Number | 20020099886 10/108207 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23214835 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020099886 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Emerson, Theodore F. ; et
al. |
July 25, 2002 |
System and method for controlling remote console functionality
assist logic
Abstract
A computer system, such as a server disposed in an enterprise,
accessible from a remote terminal for remote management
applications. The computer system includes a remote console
functionality assist logic structure for effectuating the sending
and receiving of signals from the remote terminal. The remote
console functionality assist logic structure is controlled by a
dedicated processor that receives interrupts therefrom in response
to a remote management application. The processor can also control
one or more peripheral devices provided in the computer system,
wherein the controlled peripheral device or devices are disposed
up-stream or down-stream from the processor.
Inventors: |
Emerson, Theodore F.;
(Houston, TX) ; Tavallaei, Siamak; (Spring,
TX) ; Butler, John V.; (The Woodlands, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael G. Fletcher
Fletcher, Yoder & Van Someren
P.O. Box 692289
Houston
TX
77269-2289
US
|
Family ID: |
23214835 |
Appl. No.: |
10/108207 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10108207 |
Mar 27, 2002 |
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09313220 |
May 17, 1999 |
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6385682 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
710/62 ;
714/E11.173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 11/2294
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
710/62 |
International
Class: |
G06F 013/12 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A computer system with a plurality of peripheral devices
disposed on a bus, comprising: a remote console functionality
assist logic structure disposed on said bus for effectuating remote
system management applications relating to said computer system;
and a processor for controlling at least one of said remote console
functionality assist logic structure and one of said plurality of
peripheral devices, wherein said processor receives interrupts from
said remote console functionality assist logic structure responsive
to one of said remote system management applications.
2. The computer system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said remote
console functionality assist logic structure comprises a video
encoder and a keyboard interface logic.
3. The computer system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said remote
console functionality assist logic structure further comprises: a
system management controller; and an Input Output Processor
interrupt controller.
4. The computer system as set forth claim 1, wherein said plurality
of peripheral devices includes a network controller device that is
controlled by said processor.
5. The computer system as set forth claim 1, wherein said plurality
of peripheral devices comprises a modem device that is controlled
by said processor.
6. The computer system as set forth claim 1, further comprises a
back-up power source for powering said processor.
7. A computer system, comprising: a first peer Input/Output (I/O)
bus for interconnecting a first plurality of devices and a first
plurality of expansion slots; a second peer I/O bus for
interconnecting a second plurality of devices and a second
plurality of expansion slots; and an expansion board comprising a
processor, said board disposed in one of said second plurality of
expansion slots, said board further having a connector for
facilitating the transmission of control signals associated with
said processor, wherein said second plurality of devices includes a
remote console functionality assist logic structure, which
structure is controlled by said processor.
8. The computer system as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of
said first and second peer I/O buses comprises a Peripheral
Component Interconnect (PCI) bus.
9. The computer system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said
expansion board further comprises a back-up power source.
10. The computer system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said
remote console functionality assist logic structure comprises a
video encoder for encoding video signals transmitted between a
video controller and a system processor associated with said
computer system.
11. The computer system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said
remote console functionality assist logic structure further
comprises a keyboard interface logic circuit.
12. The computer system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said
remote, console functionality assist logic structure further
comprises: a system management controller associated with control
of the remote console functionality assist logic structure by the
computer system; and an Input Output Processor interrupt controller
associated with control of the remote console functionality assist
logic structure by an Input Output Processor.
13. A method of remotely monitoring a computer system, comprising
the steps of: providing a remote console functionality assist logic
structure associated with said computer system; establishing a
connection between said computer system and a remote terminal; and
controlling said remote console functionality assist logic
structure by an Input/Output processor.
14. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said establishing
step comprises the step of setting up an in-band connection.
15. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said establishing
step comprises the step of setting up an out-of-band connection.
Description
[0001] entitled "Remote Server Management Device," (Inventors:
Brian Humpherys, John Butler, Siamak Tavallaei, Theodore F. Emerson
and Doron Chosnek); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/086,690,
entitled "Method, System, and Apparatus for Intelligent
Input/Output Device Driver Translation, and Emulation," filed May
28, 1998 (Inventor: Theodore F. Emerson); U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 08/988,345, entitled "Device Proxy Agent for Hiding
Computing Devices on a Computer Bus," filed Dec. 10, 1997
(Inventors: Theodore F. Emerson and Christopher J. McCarty); U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/140,040, entitled "System and Method
for Assigning and Controlling Adapters in a Computer System,"
(Inventors: Theodore F. Emerson and Christopher J. McCarty); and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/098,015, entitled "System and
Method for Hiding Peripheral Devices on a Bus," filed Jun. 15, 1998
(Inventors: Siamak Tavallaei, Brian T. Purcell and Brian S.
Hausauer).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to computer systems,
and more particularly, to systems and methods for controlling
remote console functionality assist logic devices that are used for
accessing computer systems from remote locations.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] An overwhelming trend affecting the server marketplace today
is the growth of the distributed enterprise. As a result of the
server proliferation throughout an enterprise, customers are
demanding high-availability solutions that reduce or eliminate
downtime whenever possible. One method of achieving high
availability is through the use of effective server management
tools.
[0006] As can be readily appreciated, how a server will be accessed
as well as the management functions that are to be performed are
important considerations in determining appropriate server
management tools. A server can be accessed in different ways,
depending on connection method and server state. A server can be
connected to other computers and devices through either an
"in-band" connection or an "out-of-band" connection. In the context
of the present patent application, an in-band connection refers to
the communication connection that is made with the primary
communication device for normal use by the server when it is not
down. For example, it may be a network connection established
through a medium such as a twisted pair 10 Base-T that is available
for normal and customary access to the server. On the other hand,
an out-of-band connection may be envisaged as a "back-door"
communication connection that is established when the server is
down, that is, the server is not accessible through its normal,
customary access means. The out-of-band connection can some times
be viewed as an asynchronous connection also.
[0007] Once a connection is made to the server, a system
administrator may need to use different server management tools,
depending on whether the server is online or offline. An online
server refers to one in which the Operating System (OS) is up and
running. If the OS is down, the server is considered offline.
[0008] Remote server management devices have been used to
facilitate remote access and administration of server computer
systems in the event of a failure. Server failures may arise on
account of several possibilities such as, for example, faults
associated with the server OS, malfunctioning of one or more
central processing units, network-related and power-related faults,
et cetera. Typically, in such eventualities, normal access to the
server and its internal diagnostic subsystems is lost. Accordingly,
it is common to provide remote console functionality within servers
to be able to access the failed server from a remote device.
[0009] The remote console functionality is typically designed to
allow a user to access a server from another computer, or device,
known as a management console, as though the user is at the server.
Logic, which can be implemented as certain hardware and firmware
modules, is provided to assist and realize such functionality.
Henceforth, such logic will be referred to as "remote console
functionality assist" logic. Such assist logic can include a video
encoder and a keyboard interface logic that allows the user to
input data to the server from a keyboard at the remote terminal.
The video encoder, in combination with the server video controller,
allows the user to receive output from the server on a display,
such as a monitor, at the remote terminal.
[0010] The remote console functionality is advantageous because the
user is provided with video and keyboard access, even where the
Operating System of the server is down. The user therefore has the
ability to access the server, perform diagnostics, reset the
server, watch the reset process remotely, and view previously
stored console activity, regardless of whether the server Operating
System is online or offline.
[0011] The remote console functionality assist logic can also
include out-of-band connection logic such as, for example, modem
sharing logic Such logic allows an asynchronous connection to be
established between the server and a remote terminal. It can be
appreciated that while remote console functionality can comprise
discrete logic modules, it may often be implemented as an
Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) also, giving rise to
such structures as are known as Integrated Remote Console (IRC)
devices.
[0012] Conventionally, the hardware of the remote console
functionality assist logic is operated under the control of the
server system processor or processors. Because of this arrangement,
the hardware of the remote console functionality is often
considered as "slave hardware." The system processor controls the
hardware of the remote console logic by executing software in the
system management mode (SMM) invoked by a system management
interrupt (SMI).
[0013] Several current remote server management solutions utilize
the SMM-based scheme described above. However, these solutions are
known to have several drawbacks and shortcomings. Because these
devices are under the control of the system processor or
processors, a portion of the processing capacity of the computer
system is diverted. To minimize the processing capacity diversion,
the functionality associated with the remote control software
executed by the processor is typically provided to be rather
rudimentary in nature. For example, the software does not include
features such as a security layer. Advanced functionalities such as
networking protocols (for example, the Point-to-Point Protocol)
that are capable of multiple sessions, TELNET connections, et
cetera, accordingly, are also not practical in current systems. Of
course, while the system processor can execute more advanced
software to control the remote console functionality hardware,
providing such advanced software results in increased degradation
of the processing power of the computer system.
[0014] Another drawback is that current remote server management
devices depend on the proper functioning of the processors of the
server computer system. However, if the processors of the computer
system are not functioning, or malfunctioning, the remote console
functionality is rendered inoperable. Therefore, the computer
system will be inaccessible during such situations. Because the
remote console functionality is used for troubleshooting a failed
server, reliance on proper functioning of the processors thereof is
not desirable.
[0015] A further drawback is that the access to the server system
with current remote console functionality solutions is typically
limited to a rather simple connection such as a modem connection.
In a large enterprise computer system, it is highly cumbersome to
provide at a server site for numerous modem/telephone connections.
It is more preferable to have network connections, on the other
hand, because of the speed and manageability.
[0016] Advanced remote server management solutions such as
dedicated management subsystems/cards have been proposed which
address some of the drawbacks described above. However, these
advanced solutions are substantially expensive and suffer from an
additional shortcoming of not being hot-pluggable. Accordingly, it
should be readily appreciated that the use of such solutions will
typically increase system downtime when devices embodying them need
service or maintenance, thereby negatively impacting server
availability.
[0017] The present invention, described and claimed hereinbelow, is
directed to remote server management solutions that overcome these
and other shortcomings and deficiencies of the extant systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention provides a cost-effective remote
server management solution that is highly versatile and expandable
by virtue of a dedicated processor for controlling the remote
console functionality assist logic. Further, by segmenting certain
portions of the assist logic the remote console functionality may
be rendered hot-pluggable. Furthermore, because of the increased
processing power that is available, advanced features may be
provided in the overall remote console functionality.
[0019] The present invention, accordingly, is directed to a
computer system with a plurality of peripheral devices disposed on
a bus, which computer system comprises: a remote console
functionality assist logic structure disposed on the bus for
effectuating remote system management applications relating to the
computer system; and a processor for controlling at least one of
the remote console functionality assist logic structure and one of
the plurality of peripheral devices, wherein the processor receives
interrupts from the remote console functionality assist logic
structure responsive to one of the remote system management
applications.
[0020] In a further aspect, the present invention is related to a
computer system, comprising: a first peer Input/Output (I/O) bus
for interconnecting a first plurality of devices and a first
plurality of expansion slots; a second peer I/O bus for
interconnecting a second plurality of devices and a second
plurality of expansion slots; and an expansion board comprising a
processor, the board disposed in one of the second plurality of
expansion slots, the board further having a connector for
facilitating the transmission of control signals associated with
the processor, wherein the second plurality of devices includes a
remote console functionality assist logic structure, which
structure is controlled by the processor.
[0021] In a yet further aspect, the present invention is directed
to a method of remotely monitoring a computer system, comprising
the steps of: providing a remote console functionality assist logic
structure associated with the computer system; establishing a
connection between the computer system and a remote terminal; and
controlling the remote console functionality assist logic structure
by an Input/Output processor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] A more complete understanding of the present invention may
be had by reference to the following detailed description when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary conventional
server computer system including a typical implementation of remote
console functionality assist logic;
[0024] FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a presently preferred
exemplary embodiment of a server including remote console
functionality assist logic provided in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of another presently
preferred exemplary embodiment of a server including remote console
functionality assist logic provided in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of
remote console functionality assist logic; and
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an
Input/Output (I/O) expansion card including remote console
functionality assist logic in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The numerous innovative teachings of the present application
will be described with particular reference to the presently
preferred exemplary embodiments. However, it should be understood
that this class of embodiments provides only a few examples of the
many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In
general, statements made in the specification of the present
application do not necessarily limit any of the various embodiments
of the claimed invention. Moreover, some statements may apply to
some inventive features but not to others.
[0029] Referring now to the Drawings wherein like or similar
elements are designated with identical reference numerals
throughout the several views, and wherein the various elements
depicted are not necessarily drawn to scale, and more particularly
to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an exemplary conventional server
computer system 100 including an assist logic block 108 for
providing remote server management functionality. One or more
system microprocessors (or central processing units) 102 are
conventionally coupled to a block of system memory 106. This
coupling is facilitated by way of a block 104 having memory
controller and bus bridge functionality. Block 104 is designed to
couple a host bus to a first Input/Output (I/O) bus 110 such as a
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus. A bus-to-bus bridge
112 couples the first I/O bus 110 to a second I/O bus, such as an
Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus to which a modem
controller device 114 may be attached. A video controller 116 is
disposed on the first I/O bus 110 for controlling the video display
functionality associated with the system 100. The remote console
functionality assist logic block 108 is operably coupled to the
first I/O bus 110 for effectuating remote server management
functions typically through an out-of-band connection via the modem
controller device 114. It should be understood that the logic block
108 may typically be implemented as an integrated remote console
(IRC) ASIC.
[0030] Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, the assist logic block 108
typically comprises a keyboard interface (KI) logic circuit 120 and
a modem sharing logic circuit 122. In order to achieve video
playback and/or to minimize CPU's video processing time, a video
encoder (VE) 118 may also be provided as an enhancement, although
it is not essential. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the
art, the VE circuit 118 and the video controller 116 are disposed
on the same bus segment for enabling the capture of video
information for remote retrieval. The software/firmware associated
with the logic block 108 redirects the video information from the
remotely managed server system 100 to an off-site administrator
terminal (not shown), providing the system administrator with full
text mode video and keyboard access. Because other functions in the
server system 100 are suspended while operating in a system
management mode (SMM), the system processor complex behaves as
though it is a processor dedicated to the remote application task
at hand (that is, as a "virtual microprocessor," depicted herein
with reference numeral 102'). For convenience, the microprocessor
102 and the virtual microprocessor 1021 are collectively referred
to as 103.
[0031] The logic block 108 further includes a system management
controller 130, including an interrupt status register 132 and an
interrupt masks register 134, and an Input Output Processor (IOP)
interrupt controller 136, also including an interrupt status
register 138 and an interrupt mask register 140. The system
management controller 130, in conjunction with an interrupt line
124 running from logic block 108 to the system processors 103,
allows the remote console functionality assist logic 108 to be
controlled by the system 100. Similarly, using the IOP interrupt
controller 136, an IOP (not shown) controls the remote console
functionality assist logic 108.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 2, depicted therein is a block diagram
of a presently preferred exemplary embodiment of a server 200
including a remote console functionality assist logic 208 provided
in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. A host
OS/CPU complex 202 is coupled via a bridge 204 to a first bus 206.
Disposed on the bus 206 are the assist logic block 208, system
video controller 116, a network or modem communication device 210,
a bridge 213, and a processor 212. In some implementations, the
processor 212 may include bridge functionality 213 so that it is
bridged to a second bus 214 that interconnects a plurality of
peripheral devices illustrated herein as D1 216, D2 218 and D3 220.
Although in this particular exemplary embodiment the processor 212
is shown to include bridge functionality 213, one of ordinary skill
in the art should realize that such bridge functionality 213 is not
essential for the purposes of the present invention.
[0033] The assist logic 208 further includes a system management
controller 230, including an interrupt status register 232 and an
interrupt mask register 234, and an Input Output Processor (IOP)
interrupt controller 236 also including an interrupt status
register 238 and an interrupt mask register 240. The system
management controller 230, in conjunction with an interrupt line
224 running from the assist logic 208 to the host/OS complex 202,
allows the remote console functionality assist logic 208 to be
controlled by the system 200. Similarly, the IOP interrupt
controller 236 and an interrupt line 225 allows the processor 212
to be controlled by the assist logic 208.
[0034] The processor 212 can control not only the peripheral
devices 216, 218 and 220, but as stated, also is designed to
control the remote console assist logic block 208. When the server
system 200 is accessed for effectuating a remote server management
function, a suitable interrupt (IRQ) is generated by the logic
block 208 that is associated with the remote management function.
The IRQ is then routed to the processor 212 for performing the
requisite remote server management function in conjunction with the
assist logic 208.
[0035] Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, the processor 212
can also control one more peripheral devices that are disposed in
front of it (i.e., connected to the first bus 206), such as the
network interface or modem device 210, in addition to the assist
logic block 208. Accordingly, those skilled in the art should
appreciate that the processor 212 may be provided to be an
Input/Output Processor (IOP) in accordance with a standardized I/O
architecture known as the Intelligent Input/Output (I.sub.20)
architecture. However, it is not necessary to provide an
I.sub.20-compatible IOP for the purposes of the present invention.
Appropriate background subject matter relating to the 120
architecture can be found in the following patent application
commonly assigned to the assignee of the present invention and
incorporated herein by reference: U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/086,690, entitled "Method, System, and Apparatus for Intelligent
Input/Output Device Driver Translation, and Emulation," filed May
28, 1998 (Inventor: Theodore F. Emerson).
[0036] In accordance with the teachings of the present invention,
the assist logic 208 and the network/modem device 210 are provided
up-stream from the vantage point of the processor 212 which may be
provided with a back-up battery or an auxiliary power source (not
shown). Because of the additional processing power of the processor
212, the server 200 may be provided with enhanced remote
applications such as, for example, secure connections, multiple
sessions, in-band connectivity, et cetera, without having to divert
the processing power of the CPU complex 202. Since the assist logic
208 is independent of the host OS, the system administrator can
bring the OS up or down or even reset the server 200, while
remaining in control thereof through either an in-band or
out-of-band connection with a remote terminal.
[0037] The assist logic 208 monitors all video activity between the
host CPU complex 202 and the video controller 116. Based on the
content of the individual bus cycles (e.g., PCI bus cycles)
propagated on the first bus 206, the assist logic 208 monitors the
operations that the system OS is performing and provides that
information to the remote terminal to enable interactive user
interface or for storage and playback. Some of these operations
include scrolling the server console screen, clearing the screen,
and drawing text, if any. After the operation is monitored, the
assist logic 208 encodes the data needed to reconstruct that
operation. When the collected data exceeds a select threshold, the
processor 212 retrieves and processes the collected data in
response to a suitable IRQ delivered by the assist logic 208.
Additional subject matter relating to the capture of video
information for remote retrieval may be found in the following
patent applications commonly assigned to the assignee of the
present invention and incorporated herein by reference: U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 08/733,254, entitled "Video Eavesdropping and
Reverse Assembly to Transmit Video Action to a Remote Console,"
(Inventors: Theodore F. Emerson, Peter J. Michaels and Jeoff M.
Krontz); and U.S. patent application Ser. No. UNKNOWN, entitled
"Remote Server Management Device," (Inventors: Brian Humpherys,
John Butler, Siamak Tavallaei, Theodore F. Emerson and Doron
Chosnek).
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 3, shown therein is a block diagram of
another presently preferred exemplary embodiment of a server 300
including a remote console provided in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention. An OS/CPU complex 302 of the
server 300 is coupled to a first peer I/O bus 304 and a second peer
I/O bus 306 via known means. In this exemplary embodiment, these
peer I/O buses preferably comprise PCI buses as discussed
hereinabove. Disposed on the first peer bus 304 are a plurality of
peripheral devices, exemplified by device 1 (reference numeral 308)
and device 2 (reference numeral 310), and a plurality of slots (for
example, slot 1 (reference numeral 312), slot 2 (reference numeral
314) and slot 3 (reference numeral 316)) for providing suitable
coupling means for peripheral cards (not shown).
[0039] Continuing to refer to FIG. 3, coupled to the second peer
I/O bus 306 are the remote console assist logic 208, a
network/modem interface device 210, the video controller 116 and a
plurality of expansion slots (slots 322, 324 and 326). One of the
expansion slots, for example, slot 326, is coupled with a
peripheral card 328 which comprises a processor 330 for controlling
the up-stream remote management devices. A connector 332 is
provided for transporting various side-band signals used for
controlling the up-stream devices. Once again, suitable back-up or
auxiliary power sources may be provided with the card 328.
Additional subject matter relating to the control of up-stream
devices by the processor 330 shown herein or the processor 212
(shown in FIG. 2) may be found in the following patent applications
commonly assigned to the assignee of the present invention and
incorporated herein by reference: U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/988,345, entitled "Device Proxy Agent for Hiding Computing
Devices on a Computer Bus," filed Dec. 10, 1997 (Inventors:
Theodore F. Emerson and Christopher J. McCarty); U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/140,040, entitled "System and Method for
Assigning and Controlling Adapters in a Computer System,"
(Inventors: Theodore F. Emerson and Christopher J. McCarty); and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/098,015, entitled "System and
Method for Hiding Peripheral Devices on a Bus," filed Jun. 15, 1998
(Inventors: Siamak Tavallaei, Brian T. Purcell and Brian S.
Hausauer).
[0040] It should be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill
in the art that by utilizing the Intelligent I/O architecture, both
the network connection and the modem connection may be virtualized
under the control of the I/O processor so that the data packets
that need to forwarded to the OS and the data packets associated
with out-of-band management may be appropriately sorted out as they
enter the server system.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagram for an exemplary
embodiment of the remote console assist logic 208 is depicted in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention. A video
encoder (VE) 402 is disposed on the same bus segment on which the
system video controller (VC) (not shown in this FIG.) is provided.
The logic provided within the assist logic 208 facilitates the
monitoring of all video activity between the server system CPU
complex and the VC. However, it should be realized that the video
encoder 402 is generally provided for enhanced functionality such
as video playback, etc., as described above and is not essential
for the purposes of the present invention. A keyboard interface
(KI) logic block 404 is also provided within this exemplary
embodiment of the assist logic 208.
[0042] Referring now FIG. 5, shown therein is a block diagram of an
exemplary embodiment of an Input/Output (I/O) expansion card 500
including remote console functionality assist logic in accordance
with the teachings of the present invention. The card 500 comprises
the processor 330 in addition to the remote console assist logic
208 and NIC/modem device 210, coupled to a local bus segment. It
should be understood that the card 330 is designed to couple to a
bus that is connected to the system video controller (not shown).
Also, suitable battery back-up or stand-by auxiliary power sources
may be provided therewith.
[0043] Based upon the foregoing, it can be readily appreciated by
those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a
remote server management solution with a dedicated processor for
enhanced performance and additional remote application capability.
Also, because the dedicated processor could preferably be provided
as an IOP amenable to the I.sub.20 architectural specification, the
remote server management functionality itself may be segmented into
discrete sub-blocks disposed either up-stream or down-stream from
the processor (that is, in front of or behind the
processor/bus-bridge structure). It should be realized upon
reference hereto that under this arrangement the processor, assist
logic sub-blocks and other devices (e.g., the network interface
card device, modem device, et cetera) could be rendered as
hot-pluggable expansion card devices whereby the system video
controller remains localized as an embedded device on the system
board. Additional processing power can be utilized in providing
multiple session capability, in-band connectivity, security and
reliability in the connection with the remote terminal.
[0044] Although certain preferred exemplary embodiments of the
present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it
will be understood that the invention is not limited to the
embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements,
modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit
of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.
For example, as mentioned above, the remote console functionality
may be provided in discrete modules as separate up-stream PCI
devices controlled by the dedicated processor. Referring again to
FIG. 2, the processor 212 and the peripheral devices 216-220 could
be arranged into an expansion board that is coupled to a slot on
the bus 206. Further, such a board may be provided with a back-up
power source such that it remains operable even when the server
system 200 is powered down. In a similar fashion, the peripheral
board 328 (shown in FIG. 3) or board 500 (shown in FIG. 5) may also
be provided with suitable back-up power or stand-by auxiliary
sources. Moreover, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the
art, the integration of the remote console functionality and
associated logic may be accomplished in various modular
combinations such that various structural variations are possible
in terms of the modules' location with reference to the controlling
processor. Accordingly, all such modifications and rearrangements
should be deemed to exist within the scope of the present invention
which is defined by the following claims.
* * * * *