BMC Firmware Update via PLD Local Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method of updating firmware for a server's baseboard management controller (BMC) is time-consuming and prone to errors due to the need for remote storage management and potential human mistakes during configuration file retrieval.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a programmable logic device (PLD) connected to the BMC to store and retrieve firmware configuration files, allowing the BMC to update its firmware while preserving configuration settings, and then initializing with the stored settings, eliminating the need for external storage and manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the firmware configuration file is transmitted to remote storage before firmware update, then the configuration settings can be preserved, but the firmware update procedure takes a long time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a local storage device as an intermediary between the BMC and remote storage. The configuration file is first copied to this local storage device, which is faster and more reliable than direct remote access. This intermediary storage buffer resolves the contradiction by providing both speed (local access) and reliability (preservation before update).
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration file is backed up to the local storage device before the firmware update process begins. This preliminary action ensures that the configuration is preserved and readily available for restoration after update, eliminating the time-consuming remote retrieval process while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If the firmware configuration file is retrieved from remote storage by administrator operation, then the configuration can be restored, but human error may occur and the process requires systematic management
Solution Approach 1:
The BMC automatically retrieves the configuration file from the local storage device and restores it after firmware update without requiring administrator intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates human error and simplifies operation while maintaining reliable configuration restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The local storage device serves as an intermediary that automatically provides the configuration file to the BMC after update. This eliminates the need for administrator-managed remote storage retrieval, reducing human error while maintaining restoration reliability.
3Reliability
If the configuration file is stored in remote storage, then the settings can be preserved, but the system requires systematic management and organization of configuration files
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the configuration file storage function from the complex remote storage system and places it in a simple local storage device within the server. This extraction maintains configuration preservation reliability while eliminating the need for systematic remote storage management and organization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of updating firmware of a BMC of a server, the server includes the BMC and a PLD, the method includes: in response to receipt of a firmware update instruction to update the firmware of the BMC, the BMC storing in the PLD a firmware configuration file that contains current settings; the BMC updating the firmware after storing the firmware configuration file in the PLD; the BMC being reset after updating the firmware; and the BMC executing an initializing process that includes sub-steps of reading the firmware configuration file from the PLD and applying the current settings contained in the firmware configuration file to the firmware.