Docking Station Firmware Updates Using Distributed Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Docking stations often have limited memory resources, which can hinder seamless firmware upgrades for peripheral devices, necessitating a method to leverage the resources of the information handling system and other peripheral devices for efficient firmware updates.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an external computing device that identifies a firmware update package, splits it into portions based on storage capacity, and distributes these portions across the docking station, information handling system, and other peripheral devices for seamless firmware updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the firmware update package is stored entirely in the docking station, then the firmware update can be performed, but the docking station's limited storage capacity prevents storing large firmware packages
Solution Approach 1:
The firmware update package is divided into multiple portions and stored across different devices (docking station, information handling system, and peripheral devices). Each device stores a segment of the total firmware package, allowing large firmware updates to be performed despite individual storage limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage resources of multiple devices (docking station, information handling system, and peripheral devices) are combined to create a virtual shared storage pool. This merged storage capacity enables the system to accommodate firmware packages larger than any single device's capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If the firmware update package is split across multiple devices, then storage capacity is sufficient, but the complexity of managing distributed storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station acts as an intermediary device that coordinates the firmware update process across multiple devices. It manages the distribution of firmware portions, tracks storage locations, and orchestrates the reconstruction of the complete firmware package for updating peripheral devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where devices report their storage status and availability to the docking station. This feedback enables dynamic allocation of firmware portions and real-time monitoring of the distributed storage system, simplifying management despite the complexity of multi-device storage.
Data Source
AI summary
Updating firmware at a peripheral device, including identifying a firmware update package for a first peripheral device connected to a docking station, the docking station connected to i) a plurality of peripheral devices including the first peripheral device and ii) the information handling system, the firmware update package associated with a total storage size; providing a notification indicating i) the particular peripheral device associated with the firmware update package and ii) the firmware update package, wherein a storage capacity of the docking station is less than the total storage size of the firmware update package; providing a request for access to additional storage capacity, and in response: identifying a connected computing device to the docking station; determining a storage availability of the connected computing device; and storing a second portion of the firmware update package at the connected computing device.