TWI568205B - Server systems - Google Patents

Description

Server system

The present invention relates to server technology, and more particularly to a variety of server systems for integrating near field communication (NFC).

Various wireless communication technologies are in the ascendant, and the external data exchange of servers is still in the wired stage, such as using hard disks and flash drives. For example, when the server is implemented as an Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI), the useful information generated by IPMI must first be transferred to the external device of the wired connection to be indirectly read and analyzed by the management terminal. It is inconvenient. In addition, if the foregoing information is only stored in the space of the baseboard management controller (BMC) of the IPMI, when the baseboard management controller is faulty or damaged, the management terminal cannot obtain information and is diagnosed and repaired accordingly. server.

In view of the above, the present invention is directed to a variety of server systems including near field communication modules.

A server system disclosed includes a central processing unit module, a management module, a storage unit, and a near field communication module coupled to the storage unit. Management module Used to manage the server system and to generate or modify a system information. The storage unit is used to store the system information. The near field communication module is configured to selectively access system information in the storage unit and selectively transmit system information in a near field communication manner.

In an embodiment, the near field communication module includes a near field communication transceiver unit and a near field communication control unit. In an embodiment, the near field communication control unit is coupled to the management module for accessing system information in the storage unit through the management module. In another embodiment, the near field communication control unit is coupled to the storage unit through a signal transmission path for accessing system information in the storage unit through the signal transmission path. The signal transmission path does not pass through the management module.

In some embodiments, the near field communication module is further configured to read information stored by an external device or communicate with a near field communication module of another server system in a near field communication manner. The near field communication module can be pluggably connected to the motherboard of the server system.

The foregoing management module may specifically be a substrate management controller, a basic input/output system (BIOS) or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), as exemplified below.

Another server system disclosed includes a central processing unit module, a baseboard management controller, a storage unit, and a near field communication module coupled to the storage unit. The baseboard management controller is used to monitor and manage the server system and to generate or modify a system information about the server system. The storage unit is used to store the system information. The near field communication module is configured to selectively access system information in the storage unit, and Selectively transmit system information in near field communication.

In an embodiment, the near field communication module includes a near field communication transceiver unit and a near field communication control unit. In an embodiment, the near field communication control unit is coupled to the substrate management controller for accessing system information in the storage unit through the baseboard management controller. In another embodiment, the near field communication control unit is coupled to the storage unit through a signal transmission path for accessing system information in the storage unit through the signal transmission path. The signal transmission path does not pass through the baseboard management controller.

In one embodiment, the near field communication module receives data from an external device in a near field communication manner and transmits the data to the substrate management controller. The data is in a first file in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the data is a first instruction; the baseboard management controller manages the server system or transmits the second file to the external device in a near field communication manner according to the first instruction. The data is in another embodiment a firmware file; the substrate management controller performs firmware update based on the firmware file. In another embodiment, the data is an on/off command, and the baseboard management controller executes the on/off program of the server system according to the switch instruction.

In one embodiment, the aforementioned near field communication module is controlled by the substrate management controller, and is further configured to selectively transmit a substrate management control log to the external device in a near field communication manner. In an embodiment, the substrate management control is included in the foregoing system information, and is also stored in the storage unit.

In some embodiments, the near field communication module is further configured to read information stored by an external device or communicate with a near field communication module of another server system in a near field communication manner. In an embodiment, the foregoing substrate management controller passes the wisdom level The Intelligent Platform Management Bus/Bridge is coupled to the proximity communication module. The server system can communicate with the baseboard management controller of the other server system through the baseboard management controller, the smart platform management bus, the near field communication module, and the near field communication module of the other server system. The near field communication module can be pluggably connected to the motherboard of the server system. When the external power of the server system is normal and the server system is not turned on, the near field communication module can be powered by a power standby power.

In an embodiment, the server system further includes a basic input output system. The basic input/output system transmits a system setting file to the baseboard management controller in a power-on self-test (POST) program, and the latter generates or modifies the aforementioned system information according to the file.

In an embodiment, the server system further comprises a complex programmable logic device. The complex programmable logic device is used to transfer a complex programmable logic device firmware file to the baseboard management controller, which generates or modifies the aforementioned system information based on the firmware file.

Another server system disclosed includes a central processing unit module, a basic input/output system, a storage unit, and a near field communication module coupled to the storage unit. The basic input and output system is used to manage the server system and to generate or modify a system information. The storage unit is used to store the system information. The near field communication module is configured to selectively access system information in the storage unit and selectively transmit system information in a near field communication manner. In an embodiment, the near field communication module is further configured to receive a system setting file in a near field communication manner and store the same in the foregoing storage list. yuan. The server system can be set by this file when it is powered on next time.

Yet another server system disclosed includes a central processing unit module, a complex programmable logic device, a storage unit, and a near field communication module coupled to the storage unit. Complex programmable logic devices are used to manage the server system and to generate or modify a system of information. The storage unit is used to store the system information. The near field communication module is configured to selectively access system information in the storage unit and selectively transmit system information in a near field communication manner. In an embodiment, the near field communication module is further configured to receive a complex programmable logic device firmware file in a near field communication manner and store the firmware file in the storage unit. The aforementioned complex programmable logic device can perform firmware update according to this file.

In a word, the various server systems disclosed in the present invention respectively include a near field communication module and a storage unit. In conjunction with a management module, a baseboard management controller, a basic input/output system or a complex programmable logic device, the near field communication module is used to selectively access or transmit the system in the storage unit in near field communication. Information, and can receive data or communicate with peers in near field communication.

The above description of the present invention and the following description of the embodiments are intended to illustrate and clarify the spirit and principles of the invention and to provide further explanation of the scope of the invention.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7‧‧‧ server systems

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70‧‧‧ Near Field Communication Module

101, 201, 501, 601‧‧‧ Near Field Communication Transceiver Unit

103, 203, 503, 603‧‧‧ Near Field Communication Control Unit

12, 22‧‧‧Management module

14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64‧‧‧ storage units

16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66‧‧‧ central processor modules

23, 63‧‧‧ Signal transmission path

32‧‧‧Basic input and output system

42‧‧‧Complex Programmable Logic Devices

51‧‧‧Smart Platform Management Bus

52, 62, 72‧‧‧ Baseboard Management Controller

1 to 6 are block diagrams of the server system of the present invention in each embodiment, and Fig. 3 shows another server system.

The detailed features of the present invention are described in the following description, which is sufficient for any skilled person to understand the technical contents of the present invention and to implement it, and according to the contents disclosed in the specification, the patent application scope and the drawings, any familiarity The related objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. The following examples are intended to further illustrate the invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For convenience of description, the server system may include a random access memory (RAM, such as a DIMM (dual in-line memory module)), a heat dissipation module, a power supply, a hard disk, a disk. Arrays such as RAID (redundant array of independent disks) cards, sensors for the aforementioned hardware, and the like are not shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.

See Figure 1. Figure 1 is a block diagram of a server system of the present invention in an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the server system 1 includes a near field communication module 10, a management module 12, a storage unit 14, and a central processing unit module 16. The near field communication module 10 is coupled to the storage unit 14 and includes a near field communication transceiver unit 101 and a near field communication control unit 103. The near field communication control unit 103 is coupled to the management module 12. The central processing unit module 16 can include at least one central processing unit of the server system 1. The management module 12 is a generalized component of the server system 1 for managing a certain aspect of the server system 1 and for generating or modifying system information corresponding to the system. The system information is stored in the storage unit 14. The storage unit 14 may be a separate component of the server system 1, or may be conceptually subordinate to the near field communication module 10 or the management module 12. The storage unit 14 may be coupled to the management module 12, to receive system information or modification from the latter. The storage unit 14 can be a flash memory or other type of electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). Of course, the storage unit 14 may also be a volatile memory when power supply is guaranteed.

The near field communication transceiver unit 101 has a transceiver function and may include an antenna for near field communication. The near field communication module 10 is configured to selectively access the foregoing system information. For example, when an external device having a near field communication function is sufficiently close to the antenna (for example, a distance of ten centimeters), the near field communication module 10 can access the system information through the management module 12 in the near field communication control unit 103. . In practice, it may be that the near field communication control unit 103 requests the management module 12 to access the storage unit 14, and the management module 12 authorizes the near field communication module 10 to access the storage unit 14. When the storage unit 14 is coupled to the management module 12, it is also possible that the management module 12 is responsible for forwarding system information from the storage unit 14 to the near field communication control unit 103. The near field communication module 10 is also used to selectively transmit system information in near field communication. In the foregoing, the near field communication module 10 can transmit system information to the external device in the near field communication transceiver unit 101. In the near field communication terminology, the aforementioned external device is generally a contactless card or tag, or acted in a card emulation mode to perform basic interaction with the near field communication module 10.

See Figure 2. Figure 2 is a block diagram of a server system of the present invention in another embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, server system 2 includes a near field communication module. The group 20, the management module 22, the storage unit 24 and the central processing unit module 26. The near field communication module 20 includes a near field communication transceiver unit 201 and a near field communication control unit 203, and is coupled to the storage unit 24 via the signal transmission path 23 in the near field communication control unit 203. The near field communication transceiver unit 201 is similar to 101. The central processor modules 26 are similar to 16. The management modules 22 are similar to the 12, except that the management module 22 is not necessarily coupled to the field communication module 20. The storage units 24 are similar to the 14 and may be separate components or conceptually subordinate to the near field communication module 20 or the management module 22. The storage unit 24 may be coupled to the management module 22 to receive system information or modifications from the latter.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the near field communication module 20, in particular the near field communication control unit 203, is used to access the storage unit 24 via the signal transmission path 23. Please note that the signal transmission path 23 does not pass through the management module 22. This ensures that the near field communication module 20 can still obtain system information when the management module 22 fails. The coupling of the near field communication module 10 and the storage unit 14 in FIG. 1 can be similar to the signal transmission path 23. In an embodiment, the coupling of the near field communication module 10 and the storage unit 14 or the coupling of the near field communication module 20 and the storage unit 24 is implemented as a full duplex by a single wire protocol (SWP). (full duplex) communication.

In an embodiment, the near field communication module 10 or 20 is further configured to communicate with a near field communication module of another server system. When the external near field communication module is close enough to the near field communication module 10 or 20, both parties can interact in peer-to-peer mode or peer-to-peer mode. In another embodiment, the near field communication module 10 or 20 is further configured to read the stored information when approaching an external device having a near field communication function. External devices such as cards or tags, while the near field communication module 10 Or 20 is active in the reader/writer mode (reader/writer mode).

In the first or second figure, the former is an example, the near field communication module 10 can be plugged into the casing of the server system 1 or a motherboard, and the antenna of the near field communication transceiver unit 101 can be set in the server system 1 The output of the casing enters the front input/output board. Depending on the affiliation of the storage unit 14, the near field communication module 10 can be plugged and unplugged independently, or both the storage unit 14 and the storage unit 14 can be simultaneously installed or removed when the storage unit 14 is integrated with the near field communication module 10.

See Figure 3. Figure 3 is a block diagram of a server system of the present invention in yet another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the server system 5 includes a near field communication module 50, a substrate management controller 52, a storage unit 54, and a central processing unit module 56. The near field communication module 50 is similar to 10, and includes a near field communication transceiver unit 501 and a near field communication control unit 503; the near field communication transceiver unit 501 is similar to 101. The near field communication module 50 is coupled to the storage unit 54 and coupled to the baseboard management controller 52 via the smart platform management bus bar 51. In an embodiment, the smart platform management bus bar 51 extends to the near field communication control unit 503 to enable the near field communication control unit 503 to be coupled to the baseboard management controller 52. The storage unit 54 is similar to 14. The central processor module 56 is similar to 16.

The baseboard management controller 52 is similar to the management module 12 for managing the server system 5 and generating or modifying system information. In general, the baseboard management controller 52 is part of the IPMI of the server system 5. As a processing core of the IPMI, the baseboard management controller 52 monitors a plurality of sensors in the server system 5 to grasp and automatically report operating conditions such as temperature and power supply stability in the server system 5, that is, the aforementioned system information.

FIG. 3 also schematically illustrates another server system 7, which includes a near field communication module 70 and a substrate management controller 72. The near field communication module 70 can, but does not necessarily, manage the busbar coupling substrate management controller 72 through another smart platform. The coupling between the near field communication modules 50 and 70 represents a channel for near field communication that occurs when the two are sufficiently close together. In an application scenario, a component or remote control end of the server system 5, such as the central processing unit module 56 or the baseboard management controller 52 itself, manages the busbar 51 through the baseboard management controller 52, the smart platform, and near field communication. Modules 50 and 70 can communicate with substrate management controller 72. This application scenario may be when the server system 7 is at least partially faulty or faulty, actively or passively triggering the remote console to maintain the server system 7 through the IPMI. Of course, the server system 5 may also be maintained by 7. In general, this application scenario means that the near field communication modules 50 and 70 operate in a peer-to-peer mode.

See Figure 4. Figure 4 is a block diagram of a server system of the present invention in still another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the server system 6 includes a near field communication module 60, a substrate management controller 62, a storage unit 64, and a central processing unit module 66. The near field communication module 60 is similar to 20, and includes a near field communication transceiver unit 601 and a near field communication control unit 603, and is coupled to the storage unit 64 via the signal transmission path 63 in the near field communication control unit 603. Note that the signal transmission path 63 does not pass through the substrate management controller 62. This ensures that the near field communication module 60 can still obtain system information when the substrate management controller 62 fails. The near field communication transceiver unit 601 is similar to 101 or 201. The central processor module 66 is similar to 16 or 26. Substrate management controllers 62 are similar to 52, except that substrate management controller 62 is not necessarily coupled to field communication module 60. Store Units 64 are similar to 24.

The following applies to Figures 3 and 4, and the server system 6 is taken as an example. In some embodiments, the near field communication module 60 receives data from an external device having a near field communication function and transmits the data to the substrate management controller 62. The data is in any embodiment an arbitrary file. In another embodiment, the data is an instruction; depending on the content of the instruction, the substrate management controller 62 performs a certain management operation of the server system 6, or transmits a file to the external device in a near field communication manner. The management operation may be, for example, the substrate management controller 62 executing an on or off procedure of the server system 6, and the transfer to the external device file may, but not necessarily, be stored in the storage unit 64. In yet another embodiment, the data is a firmware file, and the substrate management controller 62 performs a firmware update within the server system 6, such as for the substrate management controller 62 itself.

The near field communication module 60 can also transmit data other than system information to the aforementioned external device. For example, there may be a substrate management controller associated with the baseboard management controller 62 in the server system 6. This may be maintained by the substrate management controller 62, may be part of the aforementioned system information, and may, but need not be, stored in the storage unit 64. When the external device is sufficiently close to the near field communication module 60, the near field communication module 60 transmits the substrate management control.

The server system 6 can have standby or standby power in addition to the primary power supply. In view of the existence of IPMI, the standby power can still operate the baseboard management controller 62 when the server system 6 is powered off. In an embodiment, the near field communication module 60 is also powered normally at least outside the server, and is powered by the standby power when the server system is not turned on. should. In other words, whenever the near field communication module 60 selectively transmits system information.

In one embodiment, server system 6 further includes a basic input output system, similar to basic input/output system 32, described below. The basic input/output system transmits a system setup file to the baseboard management controller 62 upon power-on self-test, which generates or modifies the aforementioned system information. As previously mentioned, the system settings file can contain settings for the server system 6 hardware or the basic input and output system. In another embodiment, server system 6 further includes a complex programmable logic device, similar to complex programmable logic device 42 described below. This complex programmable logic device is used to transfer a firmware file about itself to the baseboard management controller 62, which in turn generates or modifies system information.

See Figure 5. Figure 5 is a block diagram of a server system of the present invention in another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the server system 3 includes a near field communication module 30, a basic input/output system 32, a storage unit 34, and a central processing unit module 36. The near field communication module 30 can be similar to 10 or 20, coupled to the storage unit 34, and coupled or uncoupled to the basic input output system 32 in various embodiments. Storage unit 34 is similar to 14 or 24. The central processor module 36 is similar to 16 or 26.

The basic input/output system 32 is similar to the management module 12 or 22 for managing the server system 3 and generating or modifying system information. In particular, the operation of the basic input output system 32 involves a central processing unit module 36 and a dedicated read only memory. When the read-only memory storage server system 3 is powered on, a processor of the central processing unit 36 reads first through its program counter (program counter). The machine code to the machine code. The processor executes this machine code to function as a basic input/output system 32. In general, the basic input output system 32 can be considered a complete and independent functional block.

The boot self-testing program of the server system 3 includes, for example, the core of the basic input/output system 32 to disable the found fault after the built-in self-test is built in the central processing unit module 36. Initializing the random access memory and deactivating the failed module, scanning the peripheral hardware connected to the motherboard and allocating resources accordingly, and collecting related information of the hardware in the server system 3 according to the result of the foregoing steps, such as quantity, health Degree, brand, model, date of manufacture, etc. System information can include this information.

In an embodiment, the near field communication module 30 is further configured to receive a system setting file in a near field communication manner and store it in the storage unit 34. The system settings file may contain settings for the aforementioned hardware or basic input and output system 32, which the server system 3 can adjust to when it is powered on. The foregoing system information and system setting files are conceptually for the server system 3 to actively obtain one for passive reception, but in practice, the storage unit 34 may or may not be the same data and may check each other. For example, when the basic input/output system 32 can recognize the source and purpose of the piece of data, the hardware settings of the server system 3 can be verified or modified accordingly.

See Figure 6. Figure 6 is a block diagram of a server system of the present invention in yet another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the server system 4 includes a near field communication module 40, a complex programmable logic device 42, a storage unit 44, and a central processing unit module 46. The near field communication module 40 can be similar to 10 or 20, coupled to the storage unit 44, and Complex programmable logic device 42 is coupled or uncoupled in various embodiments. Storage unit 44 is similar to 14 or 24. The central processor module 46 is similar to 16 or 26. The complex programmable logic device 42 is similar to the management module 12 or 22 for managing the server system 4 and generating or modifying system information. Based on its programmability, the complex programmable logic device 42 can actually run any firmware. In one embodiment, the firmware file of the complex programmable logic device 42 is received by the near field communication module 40 in near field communication and stored in the storage unit 44. In one embodiment, the complex programmable logic device 42 has a corresponding function in accordance with the firmware file update.

In summary, each server system disclosed in the present invention includes a storage unit, a near field communication module, and a central processing unit module. A system information of the server system is stored in the storage unit. The server system further includes a management module, a basic input/output system, a complex programmable logic device or a baseboard management controller to generate or modify the system information. In a variety of modes of near field communication, the near field communication module is used to selectively transmit system information, file or substrate management control signals to an external device, or receive or read (switch on and off) commands from an external device, (firmware) , system settings) files or information, or generalized communication with external devices. The present invention also discloses two modes in which the near field communication module selectively accesses the storage unit: through a module that generates or modifies system information, or bypasses the module through a dedicated signal transmission path.

Although the present invention has been disclosed above in the foregoing embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. It is within the scope of the invention to be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Please refer to the attached patent application for the scope of protection defined by the present invention.

1‧‧‧ server system

10‧‧‧ Near Field Communication Module

101‧‧‧ Near Field Communication Transceiver Unit

103‧‧‧ Near Field Communication Control Unit

12‧‧‧Management module

14‧‧‧storage unit

16‧‧‧Central Processing Unit Module

Claims (15)

A server system comprising: a central processing unit module; a baseboard management controller for monitoring and managing the server system, and for generating or modifying a system information about the server system; a storage unit for storing the System information; and a near field communication module coupled to the storage unit for selectively accessing the system information in the storage unit and selectively transmitting the system information in a near field communication manner; When the field communication module receives an on/off command from an external device in a near field communication manner, the near field communication module transmits the switch command to the baseboard management controller, and the baseboard management controller executes the switch according to the switch command The server system's power on/off program. The server system of claim 1, wherein the near field communication module comprises: a near field communication transceiver unit; and a near field communication control unit coupled to the baseboard management controller for managing the controller through the base station Accessing the system information in the storage unit. The server system of claim 1, wherein the near field communication module comprises: a near field communication transceiver unit; and a near field communication control unit coupled to the storage unit via a signal transmission path for transmitting the signal The transmission path accesses the system information in the storage unit, and the signal transmission path does not pass through the baseboard management controller. The server system of claim 1, wherein when the near field communication module receives a first file from the external device in a near field communication manner, the near field communication module transmits the first file to the baseboard management control Device. The server system of claim 1, wherein the near field communication module transmits the first instruction to the substrate management control when the near field communication module receives a first instruction from the external device in a near field communication manner. The baseboard management controller transmits a second file to the external device in a near field communication manner according to the first instruction, or the baseboard management controller manages the server system according to the first instruction. The server system of claim 1, wherein when the near field communication module receives a firmware file from the external device in a near field communication manner, the near field communication module transmits the firmware file to the baseboard management control The baseboard management controller performs firmware update according to the firmware file. The server system of claim 1, wherein the near field communication module is controlled by the baseboard management controller and is further configured to selectively transmit a baseboard management control to the external device in a near field communication manner. The server system of claim 1, wherein the system information includes a substrate management control, the near field communication module is controlled by the substrate management controller and is further configured to selectively select the substrate in the storage unit The management control is transmitted to the external device in near field communication. The server system of claim 1, wherein the near field communication module is further configured to read information stored by the external device in a near field communication manner. The server system of claim 1, wherein the near field communication module is powered by a power standby power in the server system when the external power of the server system is normal and the server system is not turned on. The server system of claim 1, wherein the near field communication module is pluggably connected to a motherboard of the server system. The server system of claim 1, wherein the near field communication module is further configured to communicate with another near field communication module of another server system in a near field communication manner. The server system of claim 12, wherein the baseboard management controller is coupled to the near field communication module through a smart platform management busbar, and the server system manages the busbar through the baseboard management controller and the smart platform. The near field communication module and the other near field communication module communicate with another substrate management controller of the other server system. The server system of claim 1, further comprising a basic input/output system, wherein the basic input/output system transmits a system setting file to the baseboard management controller in a boot self-testing program, wherein the baseboard management controller The system settings file generates or modifies the system information. The server system of claim 1, further comprising a complex programmable logic device for transmitting a complex programmable logic device firmware file to the baseboard management controller, the baseboard management controller The system information is generated or modified according to the complex programmable logic device firmware file.