Power module upgrading method, mainboard and server

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a power module upgrading method, a server, an electronic device, a storage medium and a program product. The method comprises: obtaining firmware version information of a target power module; when the firmware version information indicates that the firmware version of the target power module is inconsistent with a target version, obtaining a firmware identifier of the target power module; in the case that the firmware identifier indicates that the firmware upgrading mode of the target power module is reset upgrading, controlling the target power module to power off, and replacing the firmware data of the target power module and the current firmware version with firmware data corresponding to the target version, so as to upgrade the firmware of the target power module; in the case that the firmware identifier indicates that the firmware upgrading mode of the target power module is real-time upgrading, replacing the firmware data of the target power module and the current firmware version with firmware data corresponding to the target version, so as to upgrade the firmware of the target power module. The method can realize fast upgrading of the power module.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of servers, and in particular to a power module upgrading method, a mainboard and a server. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a server, multiple power modules are provided, which serve as the "heart" of the server and provide indispensable power support for stable operation. The power module may be, for example, a point of load (POL) or a voltage regulator module (VRM).

[0003] In a server, the power module is responsible for converting alternating current into direct current required by internal components of the server, and also undertakes multiple responsibilities such as voltage regulation, current distribution, overload protection and energy efficiency management. Generally, when upgrading the firmware of the power module, the power module is directly powered off, and after the firmware upgrade is completed, the power module is powered on again. During this period, the load device corresponding to the power module will be interrupted due to power supply, causing business interruption and affecting business operation. SUMMARY

[0004] The power module upgrading method, the mainboard and the server provided by the embodiments of the present application can achieve the effect of fast upgrading of the power module.

[0005] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a power module upgrading method, comprising:

[0006] obtaining firmware version information of a target power module;

[0007] when the firmware version information indicates that the firmware version of the target power module is inconsistent with a target version, obtaining a firmware identifier of the target power module;

[0008] in a case where the firmware identifier indicates that the firmware upgrade mode of the target power module is reset upgrade, controlling the target power module to be powered off,

[0009] and replacing the current version firmware of the target power module with a target firmware corresponding to the target version to upgrade the firmware of the target power module;

[0010] in a case where the firmware identifier indicates that the firmware upgrade mode of the target power module is real-time upgrade, replacing the current version firmware of the target power module with a target firmware corresponding to the target version to upgrade the firmware of the target power module.

[0011] The power module upgrading method can directly convert the analysis process of the configuration information of the power module into the process of firmware identification recognition, directly marks the firmware upgrading mode of the power module by directly marking the identification on the power module, avoids the process of analyzing the hardware configuration information of the power module, and when the target version of the firmware data of the target power module is received and the firmware of the target power module needs to be upgraded, the firmware identification of the target power module can be directly compared with the firmware identification corresponding to the two upgrading modes, so that the firmware upgrading mode of the target power module is quickly determined, and the power module is quickly upgraded.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the controlling the target power module to power off comprises:

[0013] generating a power-off instruction and sending the power-off instruction to the power supply through the integrated control bus to control the power supply to stop obtaining alternating current from the outside; the power supply is connected to a voltage regulation module, a load point power supply and a load device, and is used to convert the alternating current into direct current and output to the voltage regulation module, the load point power supply and the load device respectively;

[0014] The power module comprises one of the power supply, the voltage regulation module and the load point power supply.

[0015] The power module upgrading method can control the power supply to stop obtaining alternating current from the outside, so that the main power of the mainboard is powered off, and the power-off instruction is transmitted through the integrated control bus, so that the reliable transmission of the power-off instruction is ensured.

[0016] In a possible implementation, replacing the current version firmware of the target power module with the target firmware corresponding to the target version comprises:

[0017] In the register corresponding to the target power module, the current version firmware of the target power module is overwritten with the target firmware corresponding to the target version.

[0018] The power module upgrading method can realize quick and effective version management and maintenance by modifying the firmware data in the register.

[0019] In a possible implementation, after the target version of the firmware of the target power module is upgraded by replacing the current version firmware of the target power module with the target firmware corresponding to the target version, the method further comprises:

[0020] generating a first power-on instruction and sending the first power-on instruction to the power supply through the integrated control bus to control the power supply to continue obtaining alternating current from the outside.

[0021] In a possible implementation, after the control of the power-off of the target power module and the replacement of the current version firmware of the target power module with the target firmware corresponding to the target version to upgrade the firmware of the target power module, the method further includes:

[0022] generating a second power-on instruction and sending the second power-on instruction to the control module through the integrated control bus, so that the control module and the power supply continue to obtain alternating current from the outside.

[0023] The power module upgrading method can control the power supply to continue to obtain alternating current from the outside after the target power module completes the firmware upgrade, thereby realizing the main power-on of the mainboard, and the power supply can continue to supply power to the voltage regulation module and the load point power supply, so that the voltage regulation module and the load point power supply can continue to supply power to the corresponding target device, thereby realizing the rapid firmware upgrade of the target power module.

[0024] In a possible implementation, after the control of the power-off of the target power module, the method further includes:

[0025] obtaining configuration information of the target power module;

[0026] determining a replacement power module corresponding to the target power module based on the configuration information, and using the replacement power module to supply power to the target device corresponding to the target power module.

[0027] The power module upgrading method uses the replacement power module to provide additional power supply guarantee, which not only reduces the system downtime risk caused by the failure of the target power module, but also prevents the target power module from having problems during the firmware upgrade, thereby preventing the corresponding load device from being unable to obtain stable power supply, and ensuring the stable operation of the system.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the determination of the replacement power module corresponding to the target power module based on the configuration information includes:

[0029] when the configuration information indicates that the target device has a corresponding backup battery, the backup battery is used as the replacement power module;

[0030] when the configuration information indicates that the target device is connected to any one of the remaining power modules on the mainboard, the power module connected to the target power module is used as the replacement power module.

[0031] The power module upgrading method can filter out a substitute power module that can replace the target power module to supply power to the target device from the connection relationship of the target device, can realize seamless switching power supply of the target power module and the substitute power module, and thus completes switching of the power supply object of the target device without interrupting power supply of the load device corresponding to the target power module.

[0032] In a possible implementation, after the target power module is powered off, the method further includes:

[0033] obtaining power supply information of the target device corresponding to the target power module;

[0034] When the power supply information indicates that the target device is connected with a multi-output power module, the multi-output power module is used as the substitute power module.

[0035] The power module upgrading method can previously connect a multi-output power module with two different load devices, and when a main power supply module corresponding to one of the load devices needs to be upgraded, the multi-output power module can supply power to the load device, through this arrangement, a separate backup power module does not need to be additionally arranged on the mainboard, the space on the mainboard is saved, and meanwhile, stable power supply of each load device can be ensured.

[0036] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a mainboard, and the mainboard comprises: a baseboard management controller, at least one power module, and at least one load device.

[0037] The baseboard management controller is connected with the power module, and the baseboard management controller is configured to upgrade firmware of the power module by using the power module upgrading method in the first aspect and / or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0038] The power module is connected with the load device.

[0039] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a server, and the server uses the mainboard in the second aspect.

[0040] The power module upgrading method, the mainboard, and the server provided in the embodiments of the present application can directly convert the analysis process of the configuration information of the power module into the process of identification matching, directly mark the firmware upgrading mode of the power module by directly marking the power module, avoid the process of analyzing the hardware configuration information of the power module, and when target version information of a target power module is received and the target power module needs to be upgraded, the firmware tag of the target power module can be directly compared with the tags of the two upgrading modes, so that the firmware upgrading mode of the target power module is quickly determined, and the power module is quickly upgraded. Attached Figure Description

[0041] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0042] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating the power module upgrade method provided in this application;

[0043] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the motherboard provided in this application;

[0044] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the server structure provided in this application.

[0045] The accompanying drawings illustrate specific embodiments of this application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of this application to those skilled in the art through reference to particular embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0046] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments made by those skilled in the art under the guidance of these embodiments are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0047] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. (if present) in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a particular order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0048] Definitions:

[0049] The motherboard is responsible for connecting all the hardware components within the server and provides a communication channel between the hardware devices.

[0050] A baseboard manager controller (BMC) is a small operating system independent of a server system, which can perform firmware upgrade, view electronic equipment, and other operations on the electronic equipment in the state of the electronic equipment (such as a server) being powered off. The BMC is usually a separate chip or module, which is independent of other components on the server motherboard and can be remotely accessed and managed through the network.

[0051] A voltage regulator module (VRM) is a device for providing an adaptive supply voltage for a central processing unit on a server motherboard, which can be directly soldered on the motherboard or installed in the form of a module daughter card. Since it can transform and regulate the supply voltage, it can provide corresponding adaptive voltages for different controllers or central processing units on the motherboard.

[0052] A point of load (POL) can be understood as a power regulator of a load device on the motherboard. The POL can be separately arranged near the periphery of the load device to ensure power supply efficiency and accuracy. The POL is used to convert high voltage into low voltage suitable for the load device. The load device may be, for example, a BMC, a central processing unit (CPU), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and the like.

[0053] A power supply unit (PSU) is used to convert alternating current (AC) input from the outside of the server into direct current (DC) and output the converted direct current to each power module on the motherboard, such as a VRM, a POL, and the like. The power supply unit is used to provide stable power supply for the power modules arranged on the motherboard.

[0054] The traditional firmware upgrade method usually requires the power module to be powered off before the firmware upgrade, that is, to completely cut off the power output of the power module. The original intention of this method is to ensure the safety and stability during the firmware upgrade process, and to avoid firmware damage or system abnormalities caused by power fluctuations or instability during the upgrade process. However, this power-off processing method inevitably causes all load devices relying on the power module to stop running, which will cause the running interruption of the load device and may cause the loss of the running data of the load device, affecting the continuity and stability of the data running.

[0055] The application marks the firmware identifier in advance on the power module, distinguishes the firmware upgrade mode of the power module through the firmware identifier, skillfully avoids the limitation of pre-power-off of the power module in the traditional firmware upgrade method, and significantly improves the flexibility and reliability of the firmware upgrade process.

[0056] In one embodiment, a power module upgrade method is provided, and the embodiment is exemplified by the application of the power module upgrade method to the BMC. As shown in the figure, the power module upgrade method comprises: Figure 1

[0057] Step 202, obtaining firmware version information of the target power module.

[0058] The power module refers to a device for supplying power to various load devices on the mainboard, which can be VRM, POL or PSU, etc. Among them, the input end of the PSU is connected to the external AC power supply, and the output end is connected to the input end of the VRM, POL, etc. device on the mainboard. The output end of the VRM, POL is connected to the corresponding load device, as an example, the PSU is used to convert the 220V AC power provided by the external AC power supply into 12V DC power and output to the VRM, POL to supply power to the VRM, POL. The VRM, POL can convert the 12V DC power into the DC power required by the corresponding load device, such as 3.3V DC power.

[0059] The firmware refers to the basic software or program inside the target power module, and the firmware version information is used to indicate the firmware version of the power module, which can usually include the version number, identifier, etc. of the firmware, and can further include the release date, change log or update description, etc. of the firmware. The firmware version information can be stored in the non-volatile memory of the target power module itself, such as ROM, Flash memory, EEPROM, etc.

[0060] In this embodiment, the BMC can obtain the firmware version information of the target power module after receiving the upgrade instruction. The upgrade instruction refers to the instruction for firmware upgrade of the power module, such as repairing, patching, or upgrading the firmware, so as to increase new functions, improve performance or repair known problems of the power module.

[0061] ​The upgrade instruction can be issued by the staff through the man-machine interface of the server external terminal. The man-machine interface of the terminal can specifically display a specific platform interface. The staff inputs the new version program of the basic software to be updated on the platform interface, clicks the control representing the firmware upgrade on the platform interface, and sends the upgrade instruction to the BMC. Alternatively, the upgrade instruction can also be automatically generated by the BMC when receiving the new version program of the firmware in the power module. The new version program of the firmware can be released by the running manufacturer of the power module, or can be written and issued by the staff. It should be noted that the new version program of the firmware in the power module can carry a module tag, which can be at least one of letters, characters or numbers, and is used to uniquely represent a specific power module on the mainboard. The BMC in the embodiment pre-stores a mapping relationship between the power module and the module tag. After receiving the new version program carrying the module tag, the BMC can determine the corresponding target power module based on the module tag carried by the new version program.

[0062] In the embodiment, after the running manufacturer of the power module releases the new version program of the firmware, or the staff writes the new version program of the firmware, the BMC on the mainboard can receive the new version program of the firmware from the server of the running manufacturer or the server external terminal. Then, the BMC can determine the target power module corresponding to the new version program of the firmware based on the module tag carried by the new version program of the firmware and the pre-stored mapping relationship between the power module and the module tag. Further, the BMC can generate an information extraction instruction and send it to the target power module to obtain the firmware version information of the target power module from the non-volatile memory of the target power module.

[0063] Generally, a plurality of load devices and power supply modules corresponding to the load devices can be arranged on a motherboard of a server, and the power supply modules are used to supply power to the corresponding load devices. The load device refers to a device connected to the motherboard, which obtains power and signals from the motherboard and performs specific functions. The load device can include a processor, a memory, a storage, a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), etc. The power supply module refers to a device that provides stable power supply for the motherboard and various load devices thereon, which can include a voltage regulator module (VRM), a point of load (POL), etc. The VRM is a chip specially designed to provide adaptive supply voltage for the CPU, which can be directly soldered on the motherboard to adjust and stabilize the power supply voltage of the CPU. The POL can supply power to the load devices such as a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, and a CPLD, which is usually located close to these load devices on the motherboard to reduce the loss and interference in the power transmission process.

[0064] In step 204, when the firmware version information indicates that the firmware version of the target power supply module is inconsistent with the target version, the firmware identification of the target power supply module is obtained.

[0065] The target version is used to indicate the version of the firmware inside the power supply module that needs to be updated, which can include the latest version number, the latest release date, the latest change log, or the latest update description, etc.

[0066] The firmware identification can also be at least one of letters, characters, or numbers, which is used to indicate the upgrade mode of the corresponding power supply module. The upgrade mode can include a real-time effective mode and a power-off effective mode. The real-time effective mode means that the corresponding power supply module supports hot plugging, and the firmware upgrade can be directly performed during the operation of the power supply module. After the upgrade is completed, the new basic software or program can take effect immediately. The power-off effective mode means that the corresponding power supply module does not support hot plugging, and the power supply module must be upgraded in the power-off state of the main power of the motherboard where the power supply module is located. After the upgrade is completed, the main power of the motherboard where the power supply module is located needs to be re-powered to make the new basic software or program effective.

[0067] In step 206, when the firmware identification indicates that the firmware upgrade mode of the target power supply module is a reset upgrade, the target power supply module is powered off, and the target version firmware is used to replace the current version firmware of the target power supply module to upgrade the firmware of the target power supply module.

[0068] It should be noted that the power-off of the target power module refers to the power-off of the business system of the server corresponding to the mainboard, and generally refers to the power-off of the main power on the mainboard of the server. The main power voltage can be 12v, and the main power is used to supply power to the central processing unit (CPU) on the mainboard. When the main power is on the server, the CPU and the operating system can work normally. When the business system of the server is powered off, the CPU and the operating system cannot work normally, and the standby power on the server mainboard can work normally. The CPLD and the BMC on the mainboard can work normally.

[0069] After updating the firmware in the target power module, the BMC needs to control the target power module to restart. After the target power module restarts, the updated firmware can take effect, and then the business system of the server is powered on, that is, the main power is turned on, and the server can normally run.

[0070] In an implementation manner, the BMC can send a restart instruction of the target power module to the CPLD through I2C, and the CPLD controls the target power module to restart after receiving the restart instruction.

[0071] In an implementation manner, the BMC can also directly control the target power module to restart. Step 208, in a case where the firmware identification indicates that the firmware upgrade mode of the target power module is real-time upgrade, the current version firmware of the target power module is replaced by the target version firmware to upgrade the firmware of the target power module.

[0072] In the embodiment, the BMC pre-stores, for example, the firmware identification corresponding to the reset upgrade mode and the firmware identification corresponding to the real-time upgrade mode, and the firmware upgrade mode corresponding to the above firmware identification. The reset upgrade refers to an upgrade mode that needs to perform power-off processing on the main power of the mainboard where the target power module is located, and then perform firmware upgrade. The real-time upgrade refers to an upgrade mode that does not need to perform power-off processing on the main power of the mainboard where the target power module is located, and directly performs firmware upgrade. The BMC compares the firmware identification obtained from the target power module with the firmware identification pre-stored in itself, so as to determine the upgrade mode of the target power.

[0073] The firmware identification can also be at least one of letters, characters or numbers. It can be understood that each power module on the mainboard carries a firmware identification, which is used to indicate the upgrade mode required when the power module performs firmware upgrade.

[0074] Specifically, the step of replacing the current version firmware of the target power module with the target version firmware can include: rewriting the current version firmware of the target power module as the target firmware corresponding to the target version in the register corresponding to the target power module.

[0075] In the embodiment, after the manufacturer of the power module releases a new version of the firmware or the staff independently writes a new version of the firmware, the BMC on the mainboard can receive the new version of the firmware from the server of the manufacturer or the server of the terminal; then, the BMC can determine the target power module corresponding to the new version of the firmware based on the module tag carried by the new version of the firmware and the pre-stored mapping relationship between the power module and the module tag; further, the BMC can generate an information extraction instruction and send it to the target power module to obtain the firmware version information of the target power module from the non-volatile memory of the target power module.

[0076] Further, the BMC can compare the firmware version indicated by the firmware version information with the target version indicated by the new version of the firmware. When the firmware version indicated by the firmware version information is consistent with the target version, it can be considered that the current firmware of the target power module is the latest version, and the target power module does not need to be updated. When the firmware version indicated by the firmware version information is inconsistent with the target version, it can be determined that the target power module needs to be updated. At this time, the firmware identifier of the target power module and the firmware identifier corresponding to the reset upgrade mode and the real-time upgrade mode stored in the BMC are compared respectively. When the firmware identifier of the target power module indicates that the firmware upgrade mode of the target power module is the reset upgrade, it can be considered that the target power module needs to be powered off first and then upgraded. At this time, the BMC can control the main power on the mainboard of the server to be powered off, and then write the new version of the firmware into the corresponding register of the target power module, and delete the previous version of the firmware stored in the register, so as to complete the upgrade. Then, the BMC controls the main power on the mainboard of the server to be powered on to complete the firmware upgrade of the target power module. When the firmware identifier of the target power module indicates that the firmware upgrade mode of the target power module is the real-time upgrade, it can be considered that the target power module can directly upgrade the firmware during operation. At this time, the BMC directly writes the new version of the firmware into the corresponding register of the target power module, and deletes the current version of the firmware of the target power module in the register, so as to complete the firmware upgrade of the target power module.

[0077] The power module upgrading method can directly convert the analysis process of the configuration information of the power module into the process of firmware identification recognition, directly marks the firmware upgrading mode of the power module by directly marking the identification on the power module, avoids the process of analyzing the hardware configuration information of the power module, and when a new version program of the target power module firmware is received and the target power module needs to be upgraded, the firmware identification of the target power module can be directly compared with the firmware identification corresponding to the two upgrading modes, so that the firmware upgrading mode of the target power module is quickly determined, and the power module is quickly upgraded.

[0078] In some optional embodiments, the step of controlling the target power module to power off comprises:

[0079] A power-off instruction is generated, and the power-off instruction is sent to the power supply through an integrated control bus to control the power supply to stop obtaining alternating current from the outside; the power supply is connected to a voltage regulation module, a load point power supply and a load device, and is used to convert the alternating current into direct current and output to the voltage regulation module, the load point power supply and the load device respectively;

[0080] The power module comprises one of the power supply, the voltage regulation module and the load point power supply.

[0081] In this embodiment, the BMC generates a power-off instruction and sends it to the PSU through an integrated control bus (Inter-Integrated Circuit, IIC), and the PSU receives the power-off instruction from the BMC through its built-in communication interface and stops obtaining alternating current from the external power supply based on the power-off instruction.

[0082] In some optional embodiments, after step 206, the following steps are included:

[0083] A first power-on instruction is generated, and the first power-on instruction is sent to the power supply through an integrated control bus to control the power supply to continue to obtain alternating current from the outside.

[0084] In this embodiment, the BMC generates a first power-on instruction and sends it to the PSU through an IIC, and the PSU receives the first power-on instruction from the BMC through its built-in communication interface and resumes obtaining alternating current from the external power supply based on the second power-on instruction.

[0085] Alternatively, after step 206, the following steps are included:

[0086] A second power-on instruction is generated, and the second power-on instruction is sent to the control module through an integrated control bus to continue to obtain alternating current from the outside through the control module and the power supply.

[0087] In the embodiment, the BMC controls the control module, for example, the CPLD, to generate the third power-on instruction and send it to the PSU based on the second power-on instruction, and the PSU restores the AC power from the external power supply based on the third power-on instruction.

[0088] In the embodiment, after the target power module completes the firmware upgrade, if the upgrade mode of the target power module is the reset upgrade firmware upgrade mode, the BMC controls the PSU to restore the AC power from the external power supply, so as to restore the PSU to output the DC power to the VRM and the POL, so that the VRM and the POL continue to supply power to the corresponding load device, and the fast firmware upgrade of the target power module is realized.

[0089] In some optional embodiments, after the target power module is powered off, the method further includes:

[0090] obtaining configuration information of a target device corresponding to the target power module;

[0091] based on the configuration information, determining a substitute power module corresponding to the target device, and using the substitute power module to supply power to the target device.

[0092] The configuration information is used to indicate the operating parameter setting, the function configuration, and the connection relationship with other power modules, load devices, and the like.

[0093] The substitute power module refers to a power module that supplies power to the target device instead of the target power module during the firmware upgrade of the target power module.

[0094] The substitute power module in the embodiment provides additional power guarantee, not only reduces the system downtime risk caused by the target power module failure, but also prevents the target power module from having problems during the firmware upgrade, so that the corresponding load device cannot obtain stable power supply, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the system.

[0095] In some optional embodiments, based on the configuration information, the step of determining the substitute power module corresponding to the target device includes:

[0096] When the configuration information indicates that the target device has a corresponding backup battery, the backup battery is used as the substitute power module.

[0097] When the configuration information indicates that the target device is connected to any one of the remaining power modules on the mainboard, the power module connected to the target power module is used as the substitute power module.

[0098] The backup battery refers to a battery specially configured to provide additional power supply for the load device corresponding to the target power module. The backup battery can output direct current meeting the demand of the target device. The backup battery can be the same power module as the target power module.

[0099] Specifically, when the configuration information contains the connection relationship between the target device and the additional backup battery, the backup battery can be directly used as the replacement power module. Alternatively, when the configuration information contains the connection relationship between the target device and any one of the remaining power modules on the mainboard, and the remaining power module connected to the target device can output direct current meeting the demand of the target device, the power module connected to the target device is used as the replacement power module.

[0100] In this embodiment, the replacement power module that can replace the target power module to supply power to the target device can be screened from the connection relationship of the target device. The seamless switching power supply of the target power module and the replacement power module can be realized, so that the switching of the power supply object of the target device is completed without interrupting the power supply of the load device corresponding to the target power module.

[0101] In another alternative embodiment, the power module upgrading method further includes:

[0102] When the configuration information indicates that the target device is connected to the multi-output power module, the multi-output power module is used as the replacement power module.

[0103] The multi-output power module refers to a power module capable of providing additional power supply for multiple load devices. The multi-output power module can be connected to multiple load devices and supply power to the multiple load devices. The multi-output power module is designed with multiple independent output ports, which can simultaneously or separately provide stable power supply for different load devices.

[0104] In this embodiment, the target device corresponding to the target power module can be connected to the multi-output power module in addition to being connected to the target power module. It can be understood that the target device can obtain electric energy from the target power module and also obtain electric energy from the multi-output power module. It should be noted that the multi-output power module can be used as a backup power supply module for the target device, and the target power module can be used as a main power supply module to provide daily required electric energy for the target device. When the firmware identification of the target power module indicates that the firmware upgrading mode of the target power module is reset upgrading, the target power module needs to be powered off first and then upgraded. At this time, the target power module cannot output electric energy to the corresponding target device, and the target device can obtain the required electric energy from the multi-output power module to ensure normal operation of the device.

[0105] In the power module upgrading method, the multi-output power module can be connected with two different load devices in advance, when the main power module corresponding to one of the load devices needs to be upgraded, the multi-output power module can supply power for the load device, through the setting, the space on the mainboard is saved without additionally setting a separate backup power module, and stable power supply of each load device is ensured.

[0106] The power module upgrading method provided by the embodiments of the present application can directly convert the analysis process of the configuration information of the power module into the process of identification matching, directly marks the firmware upgrading mode of the power module by directly marking the power module with a sword, avoids the process of analyzing the hardware configuration information of the power module, and when the firmware data of the target version of the target power module is received and the target power module needs to be upgraded, the firmware identification of the target power module is compared with the firmware identification corresponding to the two upgrading modes, so that the firmware upgrading mode of the target power module is quickly determined, and the power module is quickly upgraded.

[0107] In addition, when the target power module needs to be upgraded, the backup power module of the target power module can be used to replace power supply, or the multi-output power module connected with the target device can be used to replace power supply of the target power module, so that stable power supply of the target device is ensured.

[0108] It should be understood that, although each step in the flowchart involved in each of the above embodiments is displayed in sequence according to the arrow, these steps are not necessarily executed in sequence according to the arrow. Unless otherwise stated herein, the execution of these steps is not strictly limited in sequence, and these steps can be executed in other sequences. Moreover, at least part of the steps in the flowchart involved in each of the above embodiments can include multiple steps or stages, which are not necessarily executed at the same time, but can be executed at different times, and the execution sequence of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but can be executed alternately or alternately with at least part of other steps or steps or stages in other steps.

[0109] Based on the same inventive concept, as shown in Figure 2 The embodiments of the present application also provide a mainboard 200, which comprises a baseboard management controller 210, at least one power module 220, and at least one load device 230.

[0110] The baseboard management controller 210 is connected with the power module 220, and the baseboard management controller 210 is configured to upgrade the firmware of the power module 220 by using the power module upgrading method in any of the above embodiments.

[0111] The power modules 220 are connected to the load device 230 correspondingly.

[0112] In some optional embodiments, the mainboard 200 further comprises a power supply 240 connected to the power modules 220 for supplying power to the power modules 220.

[0113] In some optional embodiments, the mainboard 200 further comprises at least one of a backup battery and a multi-output power module.

[0114] As shown in Figure 3 The embodiments of the present application further provide a server 300, which adopts the mainboard 200 in any of the above embodiments.

[0115] Those skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the steps of the above-mentioned method embodiments can be completed by a program instruction related hardware. The foregoing program can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. The program, when executed, performs steps including the above-mentioned method embodiments; and the foregoing storage medium includes: ROM, RAM, magnetic disk or optical disk and various other media that can store program codes.

[0116] Finally, it should be noted that: those skilled in the art, after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein, will easily think of other embodiments of the present application. The present application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptive changes of the present application, which follow the general principles of the present application and include common knowledge or conventional technical means in the art which are not disclosed in the present application, and are not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present application is only limited by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A power module upgrade method, applied to BMC, characterized in that, include: Obtain the firmware version information of the target power module; When the firmware version information indicates that the firmware version of the target power module is inconsistent with the target version, the firmware identifier of the target power module is obtained; When the firmware identifier indicates that the firmware upgrade method of the target power module is reset upgrade, the BMC controls the target power module to power down, and the BMC replaces the current version firmware of the target power module with the target firmware corresponding to the target version to upgrade the firmware of the target power module. When the firmware identifier indicates that the firmware upgrade method of the target power module is real-time upgrade, the current version firmware of the target power module is replaced with the target firmware corresponding to the target version to upgrade the firmware of the target power module.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control of powering down the target power module includes: A power-down command is generated and sent to the power supply via an integrated control bus to control the power supply to stop drawing AC power from the outside; the power supply is connected to a voltage regulation module, a point-of-load power supply, and a load device, and is used to convert the AC power into DC power and output it to the voltage regulation module, the point-of-load power supply, and the load device respectively. The power module includes one of the power supply, the voltage regulation module, and the point-of-load power supply.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Replacing the current firmware version of the target power module with the target firmware corresponding to the target version includes: In the register corresponding to the target power module, the current firmware version of the target power module is rewritten to the target firmware version corresponding to the target version.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After controlling the target power module to power down and replacing the current firmware of the target power module with the target firmware corresponding to the target version to upgrade the firmware of the target power module, the method further includes: A first power-on command is generated and sent to the power supply via the integrated control bus to control the power supply to continue to obtain AC power from the outside.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, After controlling the target power module to power down and replacing the current firmware of the target power module with the target firmware corresponding to the target version to upgrade the firmware of the target power module, the method further includes: A second power-on command is generated and sent to the control module via the integrated control bus, so that AC power can continue to be obtained from the outside through the control module and the power supply.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the target power module is powered down, the method further includes: Obtain the configuration information of the target device corresponding to the target power module; Based on the configuration information, a replacement power module corresponding to the target device is determined, and the replacement power module is used to power the target device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The step of determining the alternative power module corresponding to the target device based on the configuration information includes: When the configuration information indicates that the target device has a corresponding backup battery, the backup battery is used as the alternative power module; When the configuration information indicates that the target device is connected to any other power module on the motherboard, the power module connected to the target power module is used as the alternative power module.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The step of determining the alternative power module corresponding to the target device based on the configuration information further includes: When the configuration information indicates that the target device is connected to a multi-output power module, the multi-output power module is used as the alternative power module.

9. A motherboard, characterized in that, include: A baseboard management controller, at least one power module, and at least one load device; The baseboard management controller is connected to the power module; The baseboard management controller is used to upgrade the firmware of the power module using the power module upgrade method as described in any one of claims 1-8; The power module is connected to the load device.

10. A server, characterized in that, The server uses the motherboard as described in claim 9.

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