Abstract: A computing system includes a processing unit and a network device. The processing unit includes a first baseboard management controller (BMC), an external network interface coupled to the first BMC, and a first internal network interface coupled to the first BMC. The network device includes a second BMC and a second internal network interface coupled to the second BMC. The second internal network interface of the network device is connected to the first internal network interface of the processing unit. The first BMC is configured to transfer data between an external network and the second BMC via (i) the external network interface, (ii) the first internal network interface, and (iii) the second internal network interface.

Abstract: A baseboard management controller (BMC) system adaptable to support multiple computer platforms is disclosed. The BMC system has a BMC CPU chip including a processor executing firmware. The BMC CPU chip is coupled via an external bus to an interface chip. The interface chip includes input/output interfaces for different communication protocols to interface with components on a computer node.

Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure are directed towards a method of logging messages in a baseboard management controller (BMC) system. The method includes powering on a processing chip of the BMC system, wherein the processing chip has a main processor and a co-processor that is communicatively coupled to a non-transitory processor-readable memory device and snooping interface. The method further includes booting up the co-processor, and initiating a storage portion of the non-transitory processor-readable memory device the snooping interface. The method further includes triggering a boot-up of the main processor, and receiving, via the snooping interface, the messages redirected from a communication interface of the BMC system.

Abstract: A computing system includes a processing unit and a network device. The processing unit includes a first baseboard management controller (BMC), an external network interface coupled to the first BMC, and a first internal network interface coupled to the first BMC. The network device includes a second BMC and a second internal network interface coupled to the second BMC. The second internal network interface of the network device is connected to the first internal network interface of the processing unit. The first BMC is configured to transfer data between an external network and the second BMC via (i) the external network interface, (ii) the first internal network interface, and (iii) the second internal network interface.

Abstract: A method and system to ensure correct firmware image execution in a computer system. The computer system has a processor executing a basic input/output system (BIOS) and a baseboard management controller (BMC). A first flash memory device is coupled to the processor storing a BIOS firmware image and a project name. A second flash memory device is coupled to the BMC storing a BMC firmware image and the project name. A programmable logic device is coupled to the first and second flash memory devices. The programmable logic device including a non-volatile memory storing a project name. The programmable logic device is configured to execute a Platform Firmware Resilience routine to compare the project name of the BIOS firmware image and the project name of the BMC firmware image with the stored project name before starting the BMC or executing the BIOS firmware image by the processor.

Abstract: A system to monitor the condition of a flash memory device such as flash memory devices that store hardware settings for a BIOS or system logs in a computer system is disclosed. The flash memory device is controlled by a flash memory driver. A controller provides a command via a file system to write data to the flash memory driver. A flash memory module interfaces with the flash memory driver. The flash memory module is configured to determine whether the command to write data requires a block erase of the flash memory device. The flash memory module determines an erase time from when a command to erase a block is sent to when a status of write ready is sent by the flash memory device.

Abstract: A baseboard management controller (BMC) system adaptable to support multiple computer platforms is disclosed. The BMC system has a BMC CPU chip including a processor executing firmware. The BMC CPU chip is coupled via an external bus to an interface chip. The interface chip includes input/output interfaces for different communication protocols to interface with components on a computer node.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for managing nodes through virtual rack management modules. A system can have a first rack that includes a first top-of-rack (ToR) switch and a first group of nodes. The first ToR switch can be connected to the first group of nodes. The system can also have a second rack that includes a second ToR switch and a second group of nodes. The second ToR switch can be connected to the second group of nodes, and the second ToR switch can be connected to the first ToR switch. Furthermore, the system can include a rack management node that executes a hypervisor. The hypervisor can run a first virtual rack management module (vRMM) and a second vRMM. The first vRMM and the second vRMM can manage the first group of nodes and the second group of nodes, respectively.

Abstract: A system, method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for a combination wireless and smartcard login authentication is disclosed. The method discloses validating a smartcard to yield a validation and establishing, based on the validation, a wireless connection with a remote device. The method can further include receiving a smartcard passcode verifying the smartcard passcode to yield a verification, and authorizing, based on the verification and at the server, the remote device access to a baseboard management controller of the server.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for reducing the amount of management ports (and associated cabling) for a top-of-rack server environment. Whereas other server management configurations have cabling connecting each node in multiple multi-node chassis in a server rack to a top-of-rack, systems configured as described herein designate a single node as a point of communication for the multi-node chassis. The designated node forwards communications for all nodes in the chassis to a chassis management controller, which acts as a distribution point for all communications within the multi-node chassis, with the benefit of only a single connection being required between the multi-node chassis and the top of rack switch.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for automatically updating firmware of components of a server system. For example, the method may include: downloading OS image file from a vendor, mounting downloaded OS image file to the server system via a virtual media (VM) A, automatically generating a universal serial bus (USB) read/write image containing a firmware image for VM B use, mounting the USB read/write image to a VM B, sending a command to a controller of the server system to set a boot disk via the VM A, rebooting the server system, and enabling an update service to automatically mount updated firmware image to the VM B.

Abstract: In the maintenance of rack system, a computing device may implement a plurality of smart plugs and a communication bus in a system. A smart plug may be plugged into a server node for communication between a management node and a designated server node. The communication bus may be coupled to the smart plugs for transmitting I2C packets. A server node may be associated with a corresponding smart plug that includes a unique address on the communication bus. The smart plug may be configured to receive a message via the communication bus. The smart plug is configured to determine whether the request is addressed to a unique address associated with the smart plug. Upon determining that the message is addressed to the unique address, the smart plug may reformat the request compatible with server node port using the local address. Reformatting request may depend on types of server node ports.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for automatically updating firmware of components of a server system. For example, the method may include: downloading OS image file from a vendor, mounting downloaded OS image file to the server system via a virtual media (VM) A, automatically generating a universal serial bus (USB) read/write image containing a firmware image for VM B use, mounting the USB read/write image to a VM B, sending a command to a controller of the server system to set a boot disk via the VM A, rebooting the server system, and enabling an update service to automatically mount updated firmware image to the VM B.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for Bluetooth low energy (BLE) double authentication between a mobile device and server nodes. A system using BLE authentication can receive at a mobile device, an identifier of a dongle attached to a server that enables wireless communication and can establish a wireless low energy connection with the dongle without paring. The system can receive a server identifier and can determine whether the server has previously been authenticated to yield a determination. When the determination is that the server has not previously been authenticated, the system can receive a baseband management controller username and a password. When the determination is that the server has previously been authenticated, the system can determine whether to perform a double authentication to yield a second determination. The system can perform the double authentication when the second determination indicates that the double authentication should be performed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for reducing the amount of management ports (and associated cabling) for a top-of-rack server environment. Whereas other server management configurations have cabling connecting each node in multiple multi-node chassis in a server rack to a top-of-rack, systems configured as described herein designate a single node as a point of communication for the multi-node chassis. The designated node forwards communications for all nodes in the chassis to a chassis management controller, which acts as a distribution point for all communications within the multi-node chassis, with the benefit of only a single connection being required between the multi-node chassis and the top of rack switch.

Abstract: In the maintenance of rack system, a computing device may implement a plurality of smart plugs and a communication bus in a system. A smart plug may be plugged into a server node for communication between a management node and a designated server node. The communication bus may be coupled to the smart plugs for transmitting I2C packets. A server node may be associated with a corresponding smart plug that includes a unique address on the communication bus. The smart plug may be configured to receive a message via the communication bus. The smart plug is configured to determine whether the request is addressed to a unique address associated with the smart plug. Upon determining that the message is addressed to the unique address, the smart plug may reformat the request compatible with server node port using the local address. Reformatting request may depend on types of server node ports.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for managing nodes through virtual rack management modules. A system can have a first rack that includes a first top-of-rack (ToR) switch and a first group of nodes. The first ToR switch can be connected to the first group of nodes. The system can also have a second rack that includes a second ToR switch and a second group of nodes. The second ToR switch can be connected to the second group of nodes, and the second ToR switch can be connected to the first ToR switch. Furthermore, the system can include a rack management node that executes a hypervisor. The hypervisor can run a first virtual rack management module (vRMM) and a second vRMM. The first vRMM and the second vRMM can manage the first group of nodes and the second group of nodes, respectively.

Abstract: A system, method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for a combination wireless and smartcard login authentication is disclosed. The method discloses validating a smartcard to yield a validation and establishing, based on the validation, a wireless connection with a remote device. The method can further include receiving a smartcard passcode verifying the smartcard passcode to yield a verification, and authorizing, based on the verification and at the server, the remote device access to a baseboard management controller of the server.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for Bluetooth low energy (BLE) double authentication between a mobile device and server nodes. A system using BLE authentication can receive at a mobile device, an identifier of a dongle attached to a server that enables wireless communication and can establish a wireless low energy connection with the dongle without paring. The system can receive a server identifier and can determine whether the server has previously been authenticated to yield a determination. When the determination is that the server has not previously been authenticated, the system can receive a baseband management controller username and a password. When the determination is that the server has previously been authenticated, the system can determine whether to perform a double authentication to yield a second determination. The system can perform the double authentication when the second determination indicates that the double authentication should be performed.

Abstract: A service controller on a computing device can be configured to redirect serial output over a network using HTTP. For example, the service controller can be configured with a web server that can receive the serial output and stream the serial output to a web browser over an HTTP connection. In some implementations, the HTTP connection can be a WebSocket connection, as defined by the HTML5 specification. In some implementations, a proxy server can be configured with a web server that can receive serial over LAN (SOL) output from multiple servers and stream the SOL to a web browser on a client device.