Patent Publication Number: US-2023134214-A1

Title: Systems and methods for inventory collection in a management controller

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates in general to information handling systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for inventory collection in a management controller of an information handling system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
     Users and/or administrators of an information handling system may desire to be aware of when changes are made to a hardware inventory of an information handling system. However, in traditional information handling system, when a hardware inventory of an information handling system changes while the information handling system is powered down or during a hot plug, no notifications are communicated to a user and/or administrator regarding the change in hardware inventory. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the disadvantages and problems associated with managing hardware inventory of an information handling system may be reduced or eliminated. 
     In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a processor and a management controller configured to provide out-of-band management facilities for management of the information handling system, the management controller further configured to in response to a triggering event for collecting a hardware inventory, collect identifying information for information handling resources of the information handling system and a location for each of the information handling resources, order the identifying information in accordance with a schema for ordering the identifying information, concatenate the identifying information into a string in accordance with the schema, generate a signature from the string, compare the signature to an existing inventory signature for the information handling system, and generate a notification in response to the signature mismatching the existing inventory signature. 
     In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include in response to a triggering event for collecting a hardware inventory, collecting, by a management controller configured to provide out-of-band management facilities for management of an information handling system, identifying information for information handling resources of the information handling system and a location for each of the information handling resources. The method may also include ordering, by the management controller, the identifying information in accordance with a schema for ordering the identifying information. The method may also include concatenating, by the management controller, the identifying information into a string in accordance with the schema. The method may additionally include generating, by the management controller, a signature from the string. The method may further include comparing, by the management controller, the signature to an existing inventory signature for the information handling system. The method may also include generating, by the management controller, a notification in response to the signature mismatching the existing inventory signature. 
     In accordance with these and other embodiments of the present disclosure an article of manufacture may include a computer readable medium and computer-executable instructions carried on the computer readable medium, the instructions readable by a processor, the instructions, when read and executed, for causing the processor to, in a management controller configured to provide out-of-band management facilities for management of an information handling system: (a) in response to a triggering event for collecting a hardware inventory, collect identifying information for information handling resources of the information handling system and a location for each of the information handling resources; (b) order the identifying information in accordance with a schema for ordering the identifying information; (c) concatenate the identifying information into a string in accordance with the schema; (d) generate a signature from the string; (e) compare the signature to an existing inventory signature for the information handling system; and (f) generate a notification in response to the signature mismatching the existing inventory signature. 
     Technical advantages of the present disclosure may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, description and claims included herein. The objects and advantages of the embodiments will be realized and achieved at least by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples and explanatory and are not restrictive of the claims set forth in this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a block diagram of an example information handling system, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a flow chart of an example method for inventory collection by a management controller of an information handling system, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Preferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood by reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , wherein like numbers are used to indicate like and corresponding parts. 
     For the purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a consumer electronic device, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (“CPU”) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input/output (“I/O”) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communication between the various hardware components. 
     For the purposes of this disclosure, computer-readable media may include any instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retain data and/or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable media may include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk), a sequential access storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM, DVD, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory; as well as communications media such as wires, optical fibers, microwaves, radio waves, and other electromagnetic and/or optical carriers; and/or any combination of the foregoing. 
     For the purposes of this disclosure, information handling resources may broadly refer to any component system, device or apparatus of an information handling system, including without limitation processors, service processors, basic input/output systems (BIOSs), buses, memories, I/O devices and/or interfaces, storage resources, network interfaces, motherboards, and/or any other components and/or elements of an information handling system. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a block diagram of an example information handling system  102 , in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, information handling system  102  may comprise a server. In other embodiments, information handling system  102  may be a personal computer (e.g., a desktop computer, a laptop, notebook, tablet, handheld, smart phone, personal digital assistant, etc.). As depicted in  FIG.  1   , information handling system  102  may include a processor  103 , a memory  104  communicatively coupled to processor  103 , a management controller  112  communicatively coupled to processor  103 , and one or more information handling resources  116  communicatively coupled to processor  103 . 
     Processor  103  may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data, and may include, without limitation, a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data. In some embodiments, processor  103  may interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data stored in memory  104  and/or another component of information handling system  102 . 
     Memory  104  may be communicatively coupled to processor  103  and may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to retain program instructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readable media). Memory  104  may include RAM, EEPROM, a PCMCIA card, flash memory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, or any suitable selection and/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retains data after power to information handling system  102  is turned off. 
     Management controller  112  may be configured to provide out-of-band management facilities for management of information handling system  102 . Such management may be made by management controller  112  even if information handling system  102  is powered off or powered to a standby state. Management controller  112  may include a processor  113 , memory  114 , and an out-of-band network interface separate from and physically isolated from an in-band network interface. In certain embodiments, management controller  112  may include or may be an integral part of a baseboard management controller (BMC), a remote access controller (e.g., a Dell Remote Access Controller of Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller), or an enclosure controller. In other embodiments, management controller  112  may include or may be an integral part of a chassis management controller (CMC). 
     Processor  113  may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data, and may include, without limitation, a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data. In some embodiments, processor  113  may interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data stored in computer-readable media of information handling system  102  or management controller  112  (e.g., memory  114 ). As shown in  FIG.  1   , processor  113  may be communicatively coupled to processor  103 . Such coupling may be via a Universal Serial Bus (USB), System Management Bus (SMBus), general purpose input/output (GPIO) channel and/or one or more other communications channels. 
     Memory  114  may be communicatively coupled to processor  113  and may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to retain program instructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readable media). Memory  114  may include RAM, EEPROM, a PCMCIA card, flash memory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, or any suitable selection and/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retains data after power to management controller  112  is turned off. Memory  114  may have stored thereon software and/or firmware which may be read and executed by processor  113  for carrying out the functionality of management controller  112 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , memory  114  may have stored thereon inventory agent  118  and existing inventory signature  120 . 
     As described in greater detail elsewhere in this disclosure, inventory agent  118  may include any system, device, or apparatus configured to obtain a hardware inventory of one or more hardware components of information handling system  102  (e.g., processor  103 , memory  104 , management controller  112 , other information handling resources  116 , etc.), generate a signature (e.g., hash) indicative of the inventory, and store such signature as existing inventory signature  120 . In addition, upon each startup of information handling system  102  (e.g., after powering on or reset of information handling system  102 ), inventory agent  118  may obtain a hardware inventory of information handling resources  116  of information handling system  102 , generate a new signature, and compare such new signature against existing inventory signature  120  to determine if any change has occurred to the hardware inventory of information handling system  102 . In some embodiments, inventory agent  118  may be implemented as a program of instructions that may be read by and executed on processor  103  to carry out the functionality of inventory agent  118 . 
     Existing inventory signature  120  may include a signature (e.g., hash) representing identifying information of one or more components of hardware (e.g., processor  103 , memory  104 , management controller  112 , other information handling resources  116 , etc.). For example, as described in greater detail below, existing inventory signature  120  may be created by concatenating identifying information regarding each hardware component in a defined order and then applying a hash function to the concatenated information to generate existing inventory signature  120 . Such identifying information for each hardware component may include serial numbers, service tags, media access control addresses, and/or any other uniquely-identifying information. 
     Generally speaking, information handling resources  116  may include any component system, device or apparatus of information handling system  102 , including without limitation processors, buses, computer-readable media, input-output devices and/or interfaces, storage resources, network interfaces, motherboards, electro-mechanical devices (e.g., fans), displays, and/or power supplies. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a flow chart of an example method  200  for inventory collection by management controller  112 , in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. According to one embodiment, method  200  may begin at step  202 . As noted above, teachings of the present disclosure may be implemented in a variety of configurations of information handling system  102 . 
     At step  202 , a triggering event for inventory collection may occur. In some embodiments, such triggering event may include a start-up (e.g., powering on, reboot, reset) of information handling system  102 . In these and other embodiments, such triggering event may include a hot plug insertion or removal of an information handling resource. 
     At step  204 , inventory agent  118  may collect identifying information for hardware components of information handling system  102  and the location (e.g., slot, port, etc.) of each hardware component. 
     At step  206 , inventory agent  118  may order the identifying information in accordance with a schema or other rule defining ordering of the identifying information. The schema may define an order in which the identifying information of the various hardware components are arranged in order to create an input string for a hashing function. For example, the schema may define that identifying information of memory devices is to be ordered before identifying information of network devices. For multiple instances of the same type of device (e.g., memory modules), the scheme may also identify how the identifying information for the multiple instances is to be ordered. For example, the schema may define that memory modules are to be ordered based on the slot numbers in which the memory modules are inserted. In the case of an empty slot, port, or other location, 0 or another predefined constant may be used as identifying information. 
     At step  208 , inventory agent  118  may concatenate the identifying information into a string in accordance with the schema. In some embodiments, locations associated with the identifying information may also be concatenated in accordance with the schema. 
     At step  210 , inventory agent  118  may generate a signature (e.g., hash) from the concatenated string using any suitable hashing algorithm or other algorithm. 
     At step  212 , inventory agent  118  may determine whether the newly-generated signature matches existing inventory signature  120 . If the newly-generated signature matches existing inventory signature  120 , method  200  may end. Otherwise, method  200  may proceed to step  214 . 
     At step  214 , in response to the newly-generated signature differing from existing inventory signature  120 , inventory agent  118  may generate a notification of the mismatch, thus indicating a change in hardware inventory. Such notification may be made via a graphical user interface, a speaker or other sound-generating component, a management console communicatively coupled to management controller  112 , and/or in any other suitable manner. 
     At step  216 , inventory agent  118  may store the newly-generated signature as existing inventory signature  120 . After completion of step  216 , method  200  may end. 
     Although  FIG.  2    discloses a particular number of steps to be taken with respect to method  200 , method  200  may be executed with greater or lesser steps than those depicted in  FIG.  2   . In addition, although  FIG.  2    discloses a certain order of steps to be taken with respect to method  200 , the steps comprising method  200  may be completed in any suitable order. 
     Method  200  may be implemented using information handling system  102  or any other system operable to implement method  200 . In certain embodiments, method  200  may be implemented partially or fully in software and/or firmware embodied in computer-readable media. 
     As used herein, when two or more elements are referred to as “coupled” to one another, such term indicates that such two or more elements are in electronic communication or mechanical communication, as applicable, whether connected indirectly or directly, with or without intervening elements. 
     This disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Similarly, where appropriate, the appended claims encompass all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Moreover, reference in the appended claims to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, or component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or operative. Accordingly, modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set. 
     Although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described above, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the figures and described above. 
     Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the disclosure and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     Although specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages. Additionally, other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after review of the foregoing figures and description. 
     To aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.