IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,189,286
Granted Patent B2
US 9,189,286 · App. 12/687,475 · Granted Nov 17, 2015

System and method for accessing storage resources

Inventors: Timothy M. Lambert (Austin, TX); Quy N. Hoang (Round Rock, TX); Shawn Joel Dube (Austin, TX)
Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
G06F9/5061H04L41/0803
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,189,286
App. No.
12/687,475
Filed
Jan 14, 2010
Granted
Nov 17, 2015
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2458
USPC
709/226
Abstract

Systems and methods for accessing configurable storage resources are provided. In some embodiments, an access controller for use in an information handling system is provided. The access controller may include a processor, a plurality of configurable storage resources coupled to the processor, and a network interface communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to allow simultaneous in-band and out-of-band access to the plurality of configurable storage resources. The processor may be configured to determine a configuration of the plurality of configurable storage resources, map the configuration to the plurality of configurable storage resources, and execute an application for managing the simultaneous access of the plurality of configurable storage resources.

Claims (36)

1. An access controller for use in an information handling system, comprising:

a processor;

a plurality of configurable persistent storage resources communicatively coupled to the processor, where at least one of the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources is permanently installed in an access controller and at least one other of the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources is removable from the access controller;

a network interface communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to allow simultaneous in-band and out-of-band access to the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources; and

wherein the processor is configured to:

determine a configuration of the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources;

map the configuration to the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources; and

execute an application for providing the simultaneous in-band and out-of-band access of the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources, the application further providing uninterrupted in-band and out-of-band access.

2. An access controller according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources comprise at least one of an unmanaged persistent storage resource and a managed persistent storage resource.

3. An access controller according to claim 1 , wherein the network interface comprises a local area network on motherboard (LOM) interface.

4. An access controller according to claim 1 , wherein the application comprises a preboot execution environment (PXE) server application configured to respond to in-band or out-of-band network based boot commands stored on the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources.

5. An access controller according to claim 1 , wherein the application comprises a network attached storage (NAS) server application configured to allow access to the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources.

6. An access controller according to claim 1 , wherein the access controller further comprises a dedicated channel for each of the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources.

7. An access controller according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources comprises separate storage resources, aggregate storage resources, or mirrored storage resources.

8. An information handling system, comprising:

a processor;

a memory communicatively coupled to the processor; and

an access controller communicatively coupled to the processor, the access controller configured to:

determine a configuration of a plurality of configurable persistent storage resources, where at least one of the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources is permanently installed in an access controller and at least one other of the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources is removable from the access controller;

map the configuration to the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources; and

execute an application for providing a simultaneous in-band and out-of-band access of the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources, the application further providing uninterrupted in-band and out-of-band access.

9. An information handling system according to claim 8 , wherein the access controller is a baseboard management controller, a chassis management controller, or a remote access controller.

10. An information handling system according to claim 8 , wherein the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources comprise at least one of an unmanaged persistent storage resource and a managed persistent storage resource.

11. An information handling system according to claim 8 , wherein the access controller comprises a local area network on motherboard (LOM) network interface.

12. An information handling system according to claim 8 , wherein the application comprises a preboot execution environment (PXE) server application configured to respond to in-band or out-of-band network based boot commands stored on the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources.

13. An information handling system according to claim 8 , wherein the application comprises a network attached storage (NAS) server application configured to allow access to the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources.

14. An information handling system according to claim 8 , wherein the access controller further comprises a dedicated channel for each of the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources.

15. An information handling system according to claim 8 , wherein the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources comprises separate storage resources, aggregate storage resources, or mirrored storage resources.

16. A method for accessing a plurality of configurable persistent storage resources, comprising:

determining a configuration of the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources, where at least one of the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources is permanently installed in an access controller and at least one other of the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources is removable from the access controller;

mapping the configuration to the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources; and

executing an application for providing a simultaneous in-band and out-of-band access of the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources by the access controller, the application further providing uninterrupted in-band and out-of-band access.

17. A method according to claim 16 , wherein the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources comprise at least one of an unmanaged persistent storage resource and a managed persistent storage resource.

18. A method according to claim 16 , wherein the application comprises a preboot execution environment (PXE) server application configured to respond to in-band or out-of-band network based boot commands stored on the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources.

19. A method according to claim 16 , wherein the application comprises a network attached storage (NAS) server application configured to allow access to the plurality of configurable persistent storage resources.

20. A method according to claim 16 , wherein the storage resources plurality of configurable persistent storage resources comprises separate storage resources, aggregate storage resources, or mirrored storage resources.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2010
From: LAMBERT, TIMOTHY M.; HOANG, QUY N.; DUBE, SHAWN JOEL
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 023784/0657 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110173326A1 · Jul 14, 2011