A method including altering the configuration of a system including a processor, firmware storage and a scratchpad from a first configuration in which a first version of firmware enabling a first plurality of system operations is run by the processor, into a second configuration in which a second version of firmware enabling a second plurality of system operations is run by the processor, the altering including: A) re-configuring the system from the first configuration into an intermediate configuration in which the processor continues to run the first version of the firmware, B) while the system is in the intermediate configuration, disallowing at least one of the first plurality of operations, C) re-configuring the system from the intermediate configuration to the second configuration, and D) while the system is in the second configuration, allowing the second plurality of operations. Related apparatus and methods are also provided.

In-service software/firmware update

Non-destructive update of discrete firmware components of a firmware is provided. During a boot-up process, the availability of an update for the firmware can be determined prior to execution thereof. To that end, a controller device can be queried for availability of the update and, when the update is available, a processor that executes the firmware as part of the boot-up process can retrieve an updated version of one or more components of the firmware from a virtual drive device provided by the controller device. The processor can retain such component(s) in a main memory device. The processor can then execute the component(s) from the main memory and can execute other non-updated component(s) of the firmware from a non-volatile memory device that retains the firmware. Therefore, the firmware can be updated during the boot-up process, without changing the contents of the non-volatile memory device.

Non-destructive update of discrete components of firmware

Technologies are disclosed herein for launching updated firmware file system (FFS) files of an updated firmware Original FFS files may be stored in a first firmware volume and updates to any of the original FFS files may be stored as updated FFS files in a second firmware volume When booting up a computer system with an original FFS file and a corresponding updated FFS file, either the original FFS file or the updated FFS file may be executed based at least in part on an indication of the updated FFS file in one of either a black list or a launch list The first time a computer system is boot up after storing an updated FFS file in the second firmware volume, the updated FFS file may be executed to determine whether the execution of the updated FFS file warrants inclusion in either the black list or the launch list

Subramanian Senthamizhsey

Papers

Non-destructive update of discrete components of firmware

Launching updated firmware files stored in a dedicated firmware volume