IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,250,221

Granted Patent B2

US 12,250,221 · App. 18/606,719 · Granted Mar 11, 2025

Automated infrastructure management for computer systems based on system rules, templates, and system state with coupling of a storage resource to a physical compute resource

Inventors: Parker John Schmitt (Winnetka, IL); Sean Michael Richardson (Chicago, IL); Neil Benjamin Semmel (Chicago, IL); Cameron Tyler Spry (Clarksville, IN)

Assignee: Net-Thunder, LLC

H04L63/10 G06F3/0604 G06F3/0659 G06F3/0664 G06F3/067 G06F9/4416 H04L41/12 G06F9/45541 H04L67/1095 H04L67/1097

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12,250,221
App. No.: 18/606,719
Filed: Mar 15, 2024
Granted: Mar 11, 2025
Kind: B2
Examiner: PEYTON, TAMMARA R
Art Unit: 2184
USPC: 713/2

External Links

USPTO Patent Center↗ Full Patent PDF↗

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses where a controller can automatically manage a physical infrastructure of a computer system based on a plurality of system rules, a system state for the computer system, and a plurality of templates. Techniques for automatically adding resources such as computer, storage, and/or networking resources to the computer system are described. Also described are techniques for automatically deploying applications and services on such resources. These techniques provide a scalable computer system that can serve as a turnkey scalable private cloud.

Claims (237)

1. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of templates;

a system state;

a physical compute resource; and

an out of band management connection;

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller is configured to (1) add a storage resource to the computer system and (2) update the system state with (i) a location of the storage resource within the computer system and (ii) a transport type of the storage resource;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource;

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query;

wherein the controller is configured to instruct the physical compute resource to boot from the storage resource; and

wherein the physical compute resource is configured to boot from the storage resource by way of the out of band management connection.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to use the out of band management connection to configure a BIOS of the physical compute resource.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the templates comprises BIOS settings for configuring the BIOS.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to process a template from among the templates to derive an image to boot the storage resource.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to add the physical compute resource to the computer system by sending an image to the physical compute resource.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to process a template from among the templates to derive an image to power on the storage resource.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to process a template from among the templates to derive an image to enable the storage resource.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the physical compute resource comprises hardware that provides computing, storage, caching, networking, or specialized computing.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the physical compute resource comprises a GPU.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the physical compute resource comprises a co-processor.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the physical compute resource comprises an ASIC.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the physical compute resource comprises an FPGA.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the physical compute resource comprises a plurality of physical compute resources.

14. The system of claim 3 wherein the controller is configured to (1) add the physical compute resource to the computer system, (2) instruct the added physical compute resource to boot, and (3) track the added and booted physical compute resource in the system state.

15. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of system rules;

a plurality of templates;

a system state;

a physical compute resource; and

a storage area network (SAN);

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource;

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query;

wherein the controller is configured to instruct the physical compute resource to boot from the storage resource; and

wherein the physical compute resource is configured to boot from the storage resource by way of the SAN.

16. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of system rules;

a plurality of templates;

a system state;

a physical compute resource; and

an in band management connection;

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource;

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query;

wherein the controller is configured to instruct the physical compute resource to boot from the storage resource; and

wherein the physical compute resource is configured to boot from the storage resource by way of the in band management connection.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising a network connection, and wherein the physical compute resource is configured to boot from the storage resource by way of the network connection.

18. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of system rules;

a plurality of templates;

a system state; and

a storage area network (SAN);

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller is configured to add a physical compute resource to the computer system by sending an image to the physical compute resource;

wherein the controller is configured to send the image to the physical compute resource by way of the SAN;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource; and

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query.

19. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of system rules;

a plurality of templates;

a system state; and

an out of band management connection;

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller is configured to add a physical compute resource to the computer system by sending an image to the physical compute resource;

wherein the controller is configured to send the image to the physical compute resource by way of the out of band management connection;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource; and

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the controller is configured to process a template from among the templates to derive an image to boot the storage resource, power on the storage resource, or enable the storage resource.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the controller is configured to add the physical compute resource to the computer system with a PCI express switch.

22. The system of claim 21 further comprising the PCI express switch.

23. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of system rules;

a plurality of templates;

a system state;

a physical compute resource; and

a storage area network (SAN);

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource;

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query;

wherein the controller is configured to couple the physical compute resource and the storage resource to the SAN; and

wherein the controller is configured to use the SAN to boot the physical compute resource.

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising an out of band management connection, and wherein the controller is configured to configure a BIOS of the physical compute resource through the out of band management connection.

25. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of system rules;

a plurality of templates;

a system state;

a resource; and

a physical compute resource;

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource;

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query;

wherein the controller is configured to send an image from a template from among the templates to the resource; and

wherein the physical compute resource is configured to boot off the image sent to the resource.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the resource to which the image is sent is the storage resource.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein the controller is configured to instruct where the image to be used for booting is located.

28. The system of claim 25 wherein the resource to which the image is sent is a different resource than the storage resource and the physical compute resource.

29. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of system rules;

a plurality of templates;

a system state;

a resource;

a physical compute resource; and

a storage area network (SAN);

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource;

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query; and

wherein the physical compute resource is configured to boot off an image loaded, by way of the SAN, to the resource from a template from among the templates.

30. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of system rules;

a plurality of templates;

a system state;

a resource;

a physical compute resource; and

a network connection;

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource;

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query; and

wherein the physical compute resource is configured to boot off an image that is loaded to the resource through the network connection.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the controller is configured to process a template from among the templates to derive an image to boot the storage resource, power on the storage resource, or enable the storage resource.

32. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of system rules;

a plurality of templates; and

a system state;

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller is configured to (1) add a physical compute resource to the computer system, (2) instruct the added physical compute resource to boot, and (3) track the added and booted physical compute resource in the system state;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource; and

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the controller is configured to add the physical compute resource to the computer system with a PCI express switch.

34. The system of claim 33 further comprising the PCI express switch.

35. The system of claim 32 wherein the physical compute resource comprises hardware that provides computing, storage, caching, networking, or specialized computing.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein the physical compute resource is dynamically added to the computer system by the controller.

37. The system of claim 32 wherein the physical compute resource comprises a GPU.

38. The system of claim 32 wherein the physical compute resource comprises a co-processor.

39. The system of claim 32 wherein the physical compute resource comprises an ASIC.

40. The system of claim 32 wherein the physical compute resource comprises an FPGA.

41. The system of claim 32 wherein the controller is configured to send an image from a template from among the templates to a resource of the computer system, the image for use in adding the physical compute resource to the computer system;

wherein the image is loaded onto the resource through a network connection;

wherein the physical compute resource is configured to (1) receive instructions for booting from the controller via an out of band management connection or the network connection, (2) initiate booting based on the received instructions, (3) receive the image from the resource via the network connection, and (4) boot based on the received image.

42. The system of claim 41 wherein the resource to which the image is sent comprises the physical compute resource, the storage resource, or another resource of the computer system.

43. The system of claim 32 wherein the controller is configured to process a template from among the templates to derive an image to boot the physical compute resource;

wherein the image is sent to a resource of the computer system (1) through a network connection or (2) indirectly by way of another resource of the computer system;

wherein the resource to which the image is sent comprises (1) the storage resource or (2) a different resource of the computer system than the storage resource and the physical compute resource;

wherein the controller is configured to instruct where the image to be used for booting the physical compute resource is located; and

wherein the physical compute resource is configured to (1) power on by way of an out of band management connection and (2) boot from a storage area network using the image sent to the resource.

44. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of system rules;

a plurality of templates;

a system state; and

a physical compute resource;

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource; and

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query.

45. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of system rules;

a plurality of templates;

a system state; and

a physical compute resource;

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource; and

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query.

46. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of system rules;

a plurality of templates;

a system state; and

a physical compute resource;

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource;

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query; and

wherein the system rules comprise self-assembly rules, wherein the self-assembly rules include rules that are configured to assemble infrastructure of the computer system without requiring an external planning document.

47. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of system rules;

a plurality of templates;

a system state; and

an in band management connection;

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller is configured to add a physical compute resource to the computer system by sending an image to the physical compute resource;

wherein the controller is configured to send the image to the physical compute resource by way of the in band management connection;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource; and

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query.

48. The system of claim 47 wherein the controller is configured to process a template from among the templates to derive an image to boot the storage resource, power on the storage resource, or enable the storage resource.

49. The system of claim 47 wherein the controller is configured to add the physical compute resource to the computer system with a PCI express switch.

50. The system of claim 49 further comprising the PCI express switch.

51. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of system rules;

a plurality of templates;

a system state; and

a network connection;

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller is configured to add a physical compute resource to the computer system by sending an image to the physical compute resource;

wherein the controller is configured to send the image to the physical compute resource by way of the network connection;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource; and

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query.

52. The system of claim 51 wherein the controller is configured to process a template from among the templates to derive an image to boot the storage resource, power on the storage resource, or enable the storage resource.

53. The system of claim 51 wherein the controller is configured to add the physical compute resource to the computer system with a PCI express switch.

54. The system of claim 53 further comprising the PCI express switch.

55. A computer system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of system rules;

a plurality of templates;

a system state;

a physical compute resource; and

another resource;

wherein the controller is configured to provide automated management of infrastructure for the computer system based on the system rules, the templates, and the system state;

wherein the controller or the physical compute resource is configured to query the system state for the location of the storage resource and the transport type of the storage resource;

wherein the controller is configured to couple the storage resource to the physical compute resource based on a response to the query; and

wherein the physical compute resource is configured to boot off an image that is loaded indirectly to the physical resource by way of the another resource.

56. The system of claim 55 wherein the controller is configured to process a template from among the templates to derive an image to boot the storage resource, power on the storage resource, or enable the storage resource.

Assignments (1)

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2024

From: SCHMITT, PARKER JOHN; RICHARDSON, SEAN MICHAEL; SEMMEL, NEIL BENJAMIN; SPRY, CAMERON TYLER

To: NET-THUNDER, LLC

Reel/Frame 066811/0173 →

Continuity (7)

Continuation 17990264 · Nov 18, 2022

Continuation 17558738 · Dec 22, 2021

Continuation 16505267 · Jul 8, 2019

Continuation PCTUS2018064624 · Dec 7, 2018

Provisional Application 62596355 · Dec 8, 2017

Provisional Application 62694846 · Jul 6, 2018

Related Publication 20240223563A1 · Jul 4, 2024

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