Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for performing communications between a management device and a host computer through a device independent universal serial bus (USB) interface. The system includes a management device communicatively connected to a computing device through a first communication link. In operation, the management device emulates a mass storage device to the computing device through the first communication link, and then identifies the emulated mass storage device as an unsupported mass storage device to the computing device, such that the emulated mass storage device is accessible by the computing device as a bulk-only device. Thus, Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) communications between the management device and the computing device may be performed using the bulk-only device mechanism.

Abstract: Certain aspects direct to systems and methods for providing internal system interface-based bridging support in a server management device. The system includes a server management device and a satellite controller. The server management device has an Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) stack and a management service module. The management service module, when executed, provides a corresponding management service. Further, a satellite communication is established between the IPMI stack and the satellite controller through a satellite control interface, such as an IPMB interface. In operation, the server management device defines an internal system interface, and configures the internal system interface to establish an inter-process communication (IPC) channel between the IPMI stack and the management service using the internal system interface.

Abstract: A system includes a baseboard management controller (BMC) and a remote computing device communicatively connected to the BMC via a network. The BMC includes a processor, a volatile memory, and a non-volatile memory storing a firmware. The remote computing device includes first and second computer executable code. The firmware, when executed at the processor, is configured to: in response to a debug command, request, receive, and execute the first computer executable code. The first computer executable code, when executed at the processor, is configured to mount a remote file system to the BMC corresponding to the second computer executable code, such that the second computer executable code is accessible to the BMC, retrieve the second computer executable code, and execute the second computer executable code at the BMC to perform an on-site debug process without interrupting operation of the firmware.

Abstract: A system includes a management controller for managing a plurality of computing platforms. The management controller includes a processor, a physical network interface controller (NIC), a volatile memory, and a non-volatile memory storing computer executable code. The computer executable code, when executed at the processor, is configured to: provide a plurality of firmware instances, each corresponding to a respective one of the computing platforms; configure a plurality of virtual NICs (VNICs), each of the VNICs corresponding to a respective one of the firmware instances, wherein the VNICs share network resource provided by the physical NIC; and for each of the firmware instances, in response to a communication command to transmit data through the corresponding VNIC, transmit the data through the physical NIC.

Abstract: Certain aspects direct to systems and methods for performing internal system interface-based communications between Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) stack and management services in management controllers. The system includes a server management device, which has an IPMI stack and at least one management service module. The management service module, when executed, provides a corresponding management service. In operation, the server management device defines an internal system interface, and configures the internal system interface to establish an inter-process communication (IPC) channel between the IPMI stack and the management service using the internal system interface. Thus, an internal communication between the IPMI stack and the management service may be performed through the IPC channel.

Abstract: A system includes a baseboard management controller (BMC), capable of online update of the BMC without shutting down any services. The BMC includes a processor, a volatile memory configured to perform multiple service instances, and a non-volatile memory storing a computer executable code and a root file system. The root file system includes multiple service modules as origin of the service instances. The computer executable code, when executed at the processor, is configured to: receive an update command and perform an update process based on the update command. The update process includes: copying the root file system from the non-volatile memory to the volatile memory; switching the origin of the service instances to the copy of the root file system; receiving an update root file system code; and writing the update root file system code to the non-volatile memory to obtain an updated root file system.

Abstract: Certain aspects direct a distributed Intelligent Platform Management Interface (D-IPMI) system. The system includes a computing device and a distributed management device. The distributed management device includes a first management device and at least one second management device physically separated from each other. A stack interface connects the first management device and the second management device to perform an internal communication between the first management device and the second management device. The first management device may be used to perform time critical functions related to the computing device, and the second management device may be used to perform non-critical functions. For example, the first management device may perform system power control of the computing device, monitor system components and obtaining system information of the computing device, and perform system communication with the computing device.

Abstract: A system includes at least one computing device. The computing device has one or more processors, a memory, and a storage storing computer executable code. The computer executable code, when executed at the processors, is configured to process a plurality of source modules to generate a plurality of binary modules corresponding to the source modules. Each source module has at least one source file and a control file including a certificate of origin (COO) of the source module, and each binary module generated from each source module has at least one corresponding binary file and a copy of the control file. Once the binary modules are generated, the computer executable code combines the binary files of each of the binary modules to generate an executable file, and generates a COO file for the executable file based on the control files from the source modules or the binary modules.

Abstract: A system includes a computing device and a server management controller configured to be connected to the computing device. The server management controller includes a processor, an interface in communication with multiple sensors disposed in the computing device, and a non-volatile memory storing computer executable code. The code, when executed at the processor, is configured to: assign each of the sensors with a logical unit number (LUN) and a sensor number; receive a first message from a first sensor of the sensors via the interface, where the first message has a first LUN field storing the assigned LUN and a first sensor number field storing the assigned sensor number of the first sensor; process the received first message; and determine the first sensor as a source of the first message based on the LUN and the sensor number stored in the first message.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a baseboard management controller (BMC). The BMC includes: a processor; a network interface controller assigned with a network address; and a memory having firmware. The firmware is configured to be, when executed at the processor, in communication with a plurality of computer nodes, and to receive, through the same network interface controller, management requests each for performing a management operation at one of the plurality of computer nodes and addressed to the same network address, the management requests being directed to at least two of the plurality of computer nodes.

Abstract: A system includes at least one computing device. The computing device has one or more processors, a memory, and a storage storing computer executable code. The computer executable code, when executed at the processors, is configured to process a plurality of source modules to generate a plurality of binary modules corresponding to the source modules. Each source module has at least one source file and a control file including a certificate of origin (COO) of the source module, and each binary module generated from each source module has at least one corresponding binary file and a copy of the control file. Once the binary modules are generated, the computer executable code combines the binary files of each of the binary modules to generate an executable file, and generates a COO file for the executable file based on the control files from the source modules or the binary modules.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a baseboard management controller (BMC) managing a computer system including N computer nodes. The BMC has: (a) a processor, (b) a physical network interface controller, (c) a first communication interface controller, (d) a memory having firmware stored. The firmware can: (a) initiate N virtual BMC stacks each managing at least one health or performance related aspect of a respective one of the N computer nodes, and (b) initiate N virtual network interface controllers each communicating with the physical network interface controller. Each of the virtual BMC stacks has a network interface configured to communicate with a respective virtual network interface controller, and each of the N virtual BMC stacks is configured to communicate with a network connected to the physical network interface controller through a virtual network interface controller.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a baseboard management controller (BMC). The BMC includes a processor and a memory having firmware. The firmware includes a master management instance and a plurality of assisting management instances. When the firmware is executed at the processor, the master management instance is configured to manage a chassis of a computer system, and each of the assisting management instances is configured to manage at least one health or performance related aspect a respective different computer node of a plurality of computer nodes of the computer system.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a baseboard management controller (BMC) that includes a PCI express (PCIe) interface controller configured to provide access to a PCIe channel over a PCIe link, and firmware. The firmware includes a PCIe module being configured to access the PCIe channel through the PCIe interface controller and registered as a PCIe function. A software stack of the BMC communicates, through the PCIe module, with a PCIe device over the PCIe channel.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a baseboard management controller (BMC). The BMC includes a processor, and a memory having firmware including a message interface, a master management instance, and first and second assisting management instances. The first and second assisting management instances monitor at least one health or performance related aspect of first and second computer nodes, respectively. The master management instance can receive an IPMI message from the message interface, the IPMI message containing first data for constructing an IPMB message, the first data including a first IPMB slave address. The master management instance can identify the first assisting management instance from the assisting management instances based on the first IPMB slave address. The master management instance can transfer the first data to the first assisting management instance.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a baseboard management controller (BMC). The BMC includes a processor and a memory storing firmware. The firmware, when executed by the processor, is configured to include a plurality of communication interfaces and a plurality of message handlers. The plurality of message handlers each are configured to process an IPMI request message that is received from, and that is to be associated with, a respective different communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces; to perform a management function to a host computer of the BMC in accordance with the processed IPMI request message; and to be on a respective different thread.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a baseboard management controller (BMC) managing a computer system including N computer nodes. The BMC has: (a) a processor, (b) a physical network interface controller, (c) a first communication interface controller, (d) a memory having firmware stored. The firmware can: (a) initiate N virtual BMC stacks each managing at least one health or performance related aspect of a respective one of the N computer nodes, and (b) initiate N virtual network interface controllers each communicating with the physical network interface controller. Each of the virtual BMC stacks has a network interface configured to communicate with a respective virtual network interface controller, and each of the N virtual BMC stacks is configured to communicate with a network connected to the physical network interface controller through a virtual network interface controller.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a baseboard management controller (BMC). The BMC includes a processor and a memory storing firmware. The firmware, when executed by the processor, is configured to include a plurality of communication interfaces and a plurality of message handlers. The plurality of message handlers each are configured to process an IPMI request message that is received from, and that is to be associated with, a respective different communication interface of the plurality of communication interfaces; to perform a management function to a host computer of the BMC in accordance with the processed IPMI request message; and to be on a respective different thread.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a baseboard management controller (BMC) that includes a PCI express (PCIe) interface controller configured to provide access to a PCIe channel over a PCIe link, and firmware. The firmware includes a PCIe module being configured to access the PCIe channel through the PCIe interface controller and registered as a PCIe function. A software stack of the BMC communicates, through the PCIe module, with a PCIe device over the PCIe channel.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a baseboard management controller (BMC). The BMC includes: a processor; a network interface controller assigned with a network address; and a memory having firmware. The firmware is configured to be, when executed at the processor, in communication with a plurality of computer nodes, and to receive, through the same network interface controller, management requests each for performing a management operation at one of the plurality of computer nodes and addressed to the same network address, the management requests being directed to at least two of the plurality of computer nodes.