Method and system for load balancing switch modules in a server system and a computer system utilizing the same

A computer readable medium implemented in hardware containing program instructions for load balancing a remote booting process for a plurality of switch modules in a server system, the server system including a plurality of servers, the instructions for:

• a) assigning each of the plurality of servers to a switch module of the plurality of switch modules, such that a number of servers assigned to each of the plurality of switch modules is substantially equal, a server accessing the switch during a remote boot;
• a′) storing a switch assignment;
• and
• (a1) determining whether a server must be assigned to a switch module by examining the server's non-volatile storage;
• (a2) wherein the assigning instruction comprises accessing a switch assignment table to determine which of the plurality of switch modules to assign to the server if the server must be assigned;
• and
• wherein the accessing instruction comprises (a2i) utilizing the switch assignment table to evaluate a present load distribution across the plurality of switch modules, and (a2ii) assigning the server to the next switch module if the number of servers assigned to a current switch module is greater than the number of servers assigned to a next switch module;
• b) storing for each server a switch assignment in the server's non-volatile storage, wherein the switch assignment identifies the assigned switch module.

A system implemented in hardware for load balancing a remote booting process for a plurality of switch modules in a server system, the server system including a plurality of servers, the system comprising:

• a load balancing mechanism coupled to each of the plurality of servers, wherein the load balancing mechanism assigns each of the plurality of servers to a switch module of the plurality of switch modules, such that a number of servers assigned to each of the plurality of switch modules is substantially equal, a server accessing the switch during a remote boot;
• means for storing a switch assignment;
• means for storing for each server a switch assignment in the Server's non-volatile storage, wherein the switch assignment identifies the assigned switch module;
• means for determining whether a server must be assigned to a switch module by examining the server's non-volatile storage;
• wherein the assigning means comprises means for accessing a switch assignment table to determine which of the plurality of switch modules to assign to the server if the server must be assigned;
• and
• wherein the accessing means comprises means for utilizing the switch assignment table to evaluate a present load distribution across the plurality of switch modules, and means for assigning the server to the next switch module if the number of servers assigned to a current switch module is greater than the number of servers assigned to a next switch module.

A computer system for load balancing a remote booting process comprising:

• a plurality of servers;
• a plurality of switch modules coupled to the plurality of servers;
• a management module coupled to each of the plurality of servers;
• a load balancing mechanism coupled to the management module, wherein the load balancing mechanism assigns each of the plurality of servers to a switch module of the plurality of switch modules, such that a number of servers assigned to each of the plurality of switch modules is substantially equal, a server accessing the switch during a remote boot;
• means for storing for each server a switch assignment in the server's non-volatile storage, wherein the switch assignment identifies the assigned switch module;
• means for determining whether a server must be assigned to a switch module by examining the server's non-volatile storage;
• the assigning means comprises accessing a switch assignment table to determine which of the plurality of switch modules to assign to the server if the server must be assigned;
• and
• wherein the accessing means comprises means utilizing the switch assignment table to evaluate a present load distribution across the plurality of switch modules, and means for assigning the server to the next switch module if the number of servers assigned to a current switch module is greater than the number of servers assigned to a next switch module.

A method implemented in hardware for load balancing a remote booting process a plurality of switch modules in a server system comprising a plurality of servers comprising the steps of:

• a) assigning each of the plurality of servers to a switch module of the plurality of switch modules, such that a number of servers assigned to each of the plurality of switch modules is substantially equal, a server accessing the switch during a remote boot;
• b) detecting that one of the plurality of servers has been removed;
• c) if needed, adjusting the load over the plurality of switch modules such that the number of remaining servers assigned to each of the plurality of switch modules is substantially equal;
• and
• d) storing for each server a switch assignment in the server's non-volatile storage, wherein the switch assignment identifies the assigned switch module;
• e) determining whether a server must be assigned to a switch module by examining the server's non-volatile storage;
• f) wherein the assigning step comprises accessing a switch assignment table to determine which of the plurality of switch modules to assign to the server if the server must be assigned;
• and
• wherein the accessing step comprises (f1) utilizing the switch assignment table to evaluate a present load distribution across the plurality of switch modules, and (f2) assigning the server to the next switch module if the number of servers assigned to a current switch module is greater than the number of servers assigned to a next switch module.

A computer readable medium implemented in hardware containing program instructions for load balancing a remote booting process a plurality of switch modules in a server system comprising a plurality of servers, instructions for:

• a) assigning each of the plurality of servers to a switch module of the plurality of switch modules, such that a number of servers assigned to each of the plurality of switch modules is substantially equal;
• b) detecting that one of the plurality of servers has been removed;
• c) if needed, adjusting the load over the plurality of switch modules such that the number of remaining servers assigned to each of the plurality of switch modules is substantially equal;
• d) storing for each server a switch assignment in the server's non-volatile storage, wherein the switch assignment identifies the assigned switch module;
• e) determining whether a server must be assigned to a switch module by examining the server's non-volatile storage;
• f) wherein the assigning instruction comprises accessing a switch assignment table to determine which of the plurality of switch modules to assign to the server if the server must be assigned;
• and
• wherein the accessing instruction comprises (f1) utilizing the switch assignment table to evaluate a present load distribution across the plurality of switch modules, and (f2) assigning the server to the next switch module if the number of servers assigned to a current switch module is greater than the number of servers assigned to a next switch module.