Metadata Module for Seamless Network Device Software Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network devices face challenges in updating software without disrupting their operation, particularly in high-performance switching environments like LANs, where downtime can lead to data packet handling issues and performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A network device with a metadata module that stores non-recoverable operating state information, allowing the CPU to retrieve necessary data during reload mode, enabling seamless software updates without interrupting normal operation by differentiating between recoverable and non-recoverable information and using this metadata to restore the CPU's state upon reboot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software is updated in a network device, then new functionality or performance improvements are achieved, but device operation is disrupted and data packet handling is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the software update process into distinct phases: a first phase where the CPU is stopped and metadata is copied to non-volatile memory, and a second phase where the CPU is restarted and operational state is restored from the metadata. This segmentation allows the update to occur without disrupting ongoing packet processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Before the CPU restarts during software update, the patent performs preliminary actions by copying critical operational state information (metadata) to non-volatile memory while the CPU is still running. This preliminary preservation of state ensures that when the CPU restarts, it can immediately resume operations without loss of context, thereby maintaining continuous network operation during the update process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If CPU is restarted during software update, then new software version is loaded, but operational state information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by copying all critical operational state information (metadata) to non-volatile memory before the CPU restarts. This ensures that when the CPU restarts to load the new software version, all necessary operational context is already preserved in the metadata, preventing any loss of information during the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the operational state information by copying metadata from volatile memory to non-volatile memory before the CPU restart. This copying mechanism allows the CPU to restart and load new software while preserving the operational state in the copied metadata, thus avoiding information loss during the software update process.
3Reliability
If metadata module is used to store operational state, then seamless updates are enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements the metadata module as a multi-functional component that serves multiple purposes: it stores operational state information during normal operation, preserves critical data during CPU restart, and enables seamless software updates. By making this single component universal and multi-functional, the patent avoids the need for separate complex systems for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving reliable seamless updates.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a system and method for updating software in the CPU of a network device without interrupting the operation of the network device. The invention determines whether operating state information is recoverable. If it is not recoverable, then it will be stored in a metadata module or reload buffer. When the CPU is rebooted, after a software update or crash, it operates in a special reload mode and is able to recover any system state information not available in the network device from the metadata module.