Automated generation of FRU devices inventory records for xTCA devices

The Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (ATCA) and Micro Telecommunications Computing Architecture (μTCA) standards, intended for high-performance applications, offer an array of features that are compelling from the industry use perspective, like high reliability (99,999%) or hot-swap support. The standards incorporate the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) for the purpose o advanced diagnostics and operation control. This standard imposes support for non-volatile Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) information for specific components of an ATCA/μTCA-based system, which would typically include description of a given component. The Electronic Keying (EK) mechanism is capable of using this information for ensuring more reliable cooperation of the components. The FRU Information for the ATCA/μTCA implementation elements may be of sophisticated structure. This paper focuses on a software tool facilitating the process of assembling this information, the goal of which is to make it more effective and less error-prone.