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Patent

Non-destructive update of discrete components of firmware

TL;DR: In this paper, the availability of an update for the firmware can be determined prior to execution of the firmware, 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 a firmware from a virtual drive device provided by the controller device.
Abstract: 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.
Citations
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Patent
17 Nov 2020
TL;DR: In this article, a method for 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 with a second version of software enabling a second plurality of operation is run in the processor.
Abstract: 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.
References
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Patent
11 Nov 2011
TL;DR: In this paper, the updating of firmware components on a client device is described, where the firmware update configuration file identifies an update repository, one or more firmware updates, and update package information for each of the firmware updates.
Abstract: The updating of firmware components on a client device is described. Operations may include facilitating parsing of a firmware update configuration file on the client device, wherein the firmware update configuration file identifies an update repository, one or more firmware updates, and update package information for each of the firmware updates; facilitating validation of each firmware update by comparing, for each firmware update, the update package information with information of an update package stored in the update repository; facilitating receiving the update package for each firmware update from the update repository; facilitating performing a backup of firmware components on the client device corresponding to the firmware updates; and facilitating updating of the firmware components using the received update packages.

169 citations

Patent
Matthew William Barringer1
11 Feb 2009
TL;DR: In this paper, a system and method for building virtual appliances using a repository metadata server and a dependency resolution service is provided, whereby remote clients may follow a simple and repeatable process for creating virtual appliances.
Abstract: A system and method for building virtual appliances using a repository metadata server and a dependency resolution service is provided. In particular, a hosted web service may provide a collaborative environment for managing origin repositories and software dependencies, whereby remote clients may follow a simple and repeatable process for creating virtual appliances. For example, the repository metadata server may cache and parse metadata associated with an origin repository, download software from the origin repository, and generate resolution data that can be used by the dependency resolution service. The dependency resolution service may then use the resolution data to resolve dependencies for a package selected for an appliance, wherein the dependencies may include packages that are required, recommended, suggested, banned, or otherwise a dependency for the selected package.

69 citations

Patent
26 Jul 2006
TL;DR: In this article, a method for updating firmware comprises executing a native operating system change management program that acts cooperatively with a firmware update package to update a firmware program in the information handling system.
Abstract: A method for updating firmware comprises executing a native operating system change management program that acts cooperatively with a firmware update package to update a firmware program in the information handling system. An apparatus comprises an information handling system running an operating system. An operating system change management program in a memory of the information handling system acts cooperatively with the operating system and a firmware update package to update a firmware program in the information handling system. Another method for updating firmware comprises building a firmware update package that is executable in a change management program running in a native operating system on an information handling system, and storing the firmware update package in a repository available to a user.

43 citations

Patent
30 Sep 2011
TL;DR: In this article, a payload containing system software and/or firmware updates is distributed in an on-demand, secure I/O operation via a secured communication channel inaccessible by the server operating system to an emulated USB drive.
Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for secure server system management. A payload containing system software and/or firmware updates is distributed in an on-demand, secure I/O operation. The I/O operation is performed via a secured communication channel inaccessible by the server operating system to an emulated USB drive. The secure communication channel can be established for the I/O operation only after authenticating the recipient of the payload, and the payload can be protected from access by a potentially-infected server operating system. Furthermore, the payload can be delivered on demand rather than relying on a BIOS update schedule, and the payload can be delivered at speeds of a write operation to a USB drive.

35 citations

Patent
14 Aug 2007
TL;DR: In this paper, a method for updating platform firmware is described, which is facilitated by a standard software abstraction for a firmware storage device, known as Firmware Volume (FV) that is managed through a Firmware File System (FFS).
Abstract: A method for updating platform firmware is disclosed. This capability is facilitated by a standard software abstraction for a firmware storage device, known as Firmware Volume (FV) that is managed through a Firmware File System (FFS). The FFS enables firmware files to be created, deleted, and updated individually. The FFS also enables a plurality of firmware files to be updated atomically by managing file state information via state bits stored in a file header of each firmware file, whereby an atomic change to a single state bit simultaneously causes the FFS to use an updated set of firmware files in place of an original set of firmware files.

28 citations