System Architecture Design

pSHIELDSystem Architecture DesignPU• components which can be reconfigured (i.e. FPGA) and interfaces that allows reconfiguration atsystem level (redundant power supply, node redundancy, spare node, etc.)• set of FPGA SPD core blocks• firmware that supports remote reconfiguration of BIOS, FPGA images, etc.• power supply monitoring and protection unit• monitoring devices that allow to control continuously the status of the node• programmable I/O and network interface• BMC embedded unit• MIL standard to ensure that the node is capable to work in critical environmental conditionsThe node hardware functionalities intend to support security, privacy and dependability. Thesefunctionalities are based on the capabilities and features offered by the hardware available on the PowerNode board. The functionalities include:• reconfigurablity functionalities for components, interfaces and firmware• functionalities for security monitoring (through a dedicated FPGA core logic)• cryptographic functionalities (through a dedicated core of the FPGA or using Intel AES-NItechnology)• functionalities to monitor continuously working parameters, performance and status of node• composability functionalities that allow to implement networks of Power Nodes, increasing faulttolerance, computing power, security and dependabilityThe network services are oriented to increase privacy and dependability. These services are intendedmainly to provide some Power Node hardware functionalities remotely. The network services include:• services for remote reconfiguration of BIOS and FPGA• SNMP services• services for remote self-test and performance monitoring• privacy and login management servicesThe node SPD services rely on the hardware capabilities and functionalities, on the network services andon the operating system, offering a set of more abstract services that can be used by the middleware andoverlay layers. The set of services includes:• FPGA and BIOS reconfiguration services• privacy and user control services• composability services• status and performance monitoring services;• services for the management of the topology of Power Nodes NetworkThe Power Node has been conceived to host entire parts of the pSHIELD middleware and of thepSHIELD overlay, in particular when the requirements in terms of computing power, hardwarecomposability and reliability are important. In this context, it acts as a computing and reasoning node,more than a data acquisition node. The middleware and overlay services that can be hosted depend onthe application context and the role of the parts themselves. From an operating system and applicationpoint of view the Power Node can be seen as a very powerful rugged personal computer therefore, anypart of the pSHIELD middleware and overlay that runs on a PC may run also on the Power Node.PUD2.3.2Issue 5 Page 34 of 122