Method and apparatus for updating new versions of firmware in the background
US6944854B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 13, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 19, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F8/65
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method, system, and computer program for updating firmware in a data processing system as a background operation allowing a user to utilize the computer for other purposes during the update process is provided. In one embodiment, after an operating system has been loaded and control has been transferred from the service processor to the host, the service processor determines whether the level of a firmware copy on a system component, such as an SPCN card, matches the current level of firmware stored on a non-volatile memory accessible to the service processor. If the level of the firmware copy in the component is different from the current level, the service processor transfers the current level of firmware from the non-volatile memory accessible to the service processor to the system component.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.