In-Transit Software Updating for Pre-Delivery IHS Patching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Information Handling Systems (IHS) often have outdated software due to the time lag between manufacturing and end-user access, making them vulnerable to critical bugs and security vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
A software updating system and method that updates software on IHSs while in transit or storage, communicating with a vendor support site to identify and download the latest software versions and install them on the target computing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software updates are performed after end-user access, then the IHS can be updated with latest fixes and security patches, but the IHS experiences downtime and performance degradation during the update process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing software updates before the IHS is delivered to the end user. The update process is completed in advance during manufacturing or storage, so that when the IHS is first accessed by the end user, the software is already up-to-date with the latest fixes and security patches, eliminating downtime and performance degradation during the initial use period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the update process into distinct phases: identification of current software version, download of updated software, and installation of the update. This segmentation allows the update to be performed systematically in advance without disrupting the IHS operation when it is first deployed to the end user.
2Loss of time
If software updates are performed after manufacturing, then the IHS can be delivered with current software versions, but the IHS may contain outdated software that is vulnerable to security issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the time lag between manufacturing and software update by performing the update as a preliminary action during the manufacturing or storage phase. The IHS communicates with a vendor support site to identify and download the latest software versions before delivery, ensuring that security vulnerabilities are patched before the IHS reaches the end user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the IHS communicate with a vendor support site to identify the current software version and determine what updates are available. This feedback loop ensures that the IHS always obtains the latest software versions with security patches, eliminating vulnerabilities before deployment.
3Ease of operation
If the IHS is updated while in transit or storage, then the IHS can be kept up to date without end user involvement, but the update process requires communication infrastructure and vendor support site access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the IHS to autonomously communicate with the vendor support site, identify its current software version, download updates, and install them without requiring end user involvement. This automation simplifies the update process from the user perspective while the IHS handles the complexity of communication and installation independently.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a software updating system and method that updates software in IHSs while in transit or while in storage to keep the software images up to date with the latest fixes and security patches. According to one embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) includes executable instructions to, after manufacture of a target computing device and before end user access to the target computing device, communicate with a vendor support site to identify a version of software on the target computing device, download the version of software from the vendor support site, and communicate with the target computing device to install the version of software on the target computing device.