Expander Out-of-Band Firmware Update via Idle State Fragmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current out-of-band firmware upgrade methods for SAS Expanders are hindered by low data transmission speeds and potential service disruptions due to serial port limitations, leading to inconvenient maintenance and log loss issues.
Innovation Solution
An expander out-of-band update method that fragments firmware update data and sends it only when the expander is in an idle state, utilizing a communication bus for faster data transmission and minimizing service impact, with features like CPU and bus utilization thresholds for determining idle states and optional compression and integrity checking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If out-of-band upgrade is performed through serial port, then security is improved, but data transmission speed is low and upgrade time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the firmware update data into multiple data fragments and transmits them sequentially during expander idle periods. This segmentation allows the system to use the existing serial port for updates without blocking normal operations, while the sequential transmission during idle times maximizes the utilization of available bandwidth, thereby improving data transmission speed without sacrificing security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically determines whether the expander is in an idle state by monitoring CPU utilization and bus utilization in real-time. The update process adapts to the dynamic state of the system, transmitting data fragments only when idle conditions are detected. This dynamic approach optimizes transmission timing to maximize speed while maintaining security constraints
2Reliability
If out-of-band upgrade is performed through serial port, then security is improved, but service disruption occurs and log loss happens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary monitoring of expander state parameters (CPU utilization, bus utilization) before initiating data transmission. By pre-assessing whether the system is in an idle state, the update process is scheduled to avoid interfering with ongoing services. This preliminary action ensures that security-updated firmware is installed without disrupting active operations or causing log losses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of expander idle states and transmits data fragments only during detected idle periods. This periodic transmission approach ensures that the serial port is used for updates without continuously blocking normal service operations, thereby maintaining service continuity while achieving secure updates
3Productivity
If firmware update data is transmitted continuously, then upgrade speed is improved, but bus blockage increases and service impact occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the transmission schedule based on real-time monitoring of expander idle states. The system transitions between transmission and waiting states according to the detected idle conditions, optimizing upgrade speed by transmitting during available windows while avoiding bus blockage during active service periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous monitoring of expander state and continuously attempts to transmit data fragments during idle periods. This continuous useful action maximizes upgrade speed by utilizing all available idle time windows, while the conditional transmission based on idle state detection prevents bus blockage and service disruption
Data Source
AI summary
An out-of-band updating method and system of an Expander, applied to a controller connected to the expander by means of a communication bus. The method comprises: receiving firmware updating data sent by a user (S101); fragmenting the firmware updating data (S102); and only when determining that the expander is in an idle state, sending the fragmented data until each piece of data is sent to the Expander, such that the expander completely receiving the firmware updating data completes updating by restarting (S103). The data transmission speed is facilitated to be improved, the normal operation of a service is ensured, and the conditions of influencing state monitoring and log loss are avoided.