Runtime ESRT Table Update for Hot-Pluggable Disk Firmware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information handling systems require multiple reboots to update firmware for hot-pluggable devices, which is inefficient and disrupts system operations.
Innovation Solution
An information handling system with a remote access controller and host processor that detects hot-pluggable devices, retrieves firmware details, creates a firmware capsule payload, and updates the ESRT table during runtime, allowing for seamless firmware updates without rebooting the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional firmware update methods are used for hot-pluggable devices, then firmware can be updated, but multiple system reboots are required which causes system operational disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The ESRT table is pre-populated with firmware information for hot-pluggable devices before they are physically inserted into the system. When a device is hot-plugged, the firmware update process can immediately begin using the pre-stored ESRT data, eliminating the need for system reboot to detect the device or initialize firmware update structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The firmware update process is segmented into independent stages: device detection, ESRT table population, firmware installation, and validation. Each stage can be completed independently during runtime without requiring system shutdown, allowing continuous operation while updating firmware for inserted devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If the system waits for device insertion before updating firmware, then device compatibility is ensured, but update time is delayed until after physical insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating and storing the ESRT table with firmware information in advance, before hot-pluggable devices are physically inserted. This allows the firmware update process to begin immediately upon device insertion without delay, while still ensuring compatibility through the structured ESRT data that matches firmware to device specifications.
3Reliability
If multiple reboots are performed for firmware updates, then system stability is maintained, but update efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the firmware update process to runtime conditions, allowing updates to occur during system operation without requiring static reboot states. The ESRT table is dynamically populated and updated based on device insertion events, enabling flexible, on-demand firmware updates that maintain system stability while improving update speed.
Solution Approach 2:
By preparing the ESRT table and firmware update structures in advance during system initialization, the system eliminates the need for multiple reboots. The preliminary setup allows runtime firmware updates to proceed smoothly with a single controlled reboot only when absolutely necessary, significantly improving update efficiency while preserving system stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system includes a memory, a remote access controller, and a host processor. The memory to store an extensible firmware interface (EFI) system resource table (ESRT) and an ESRT capsule. The remote access controller to detect an insertion of a hot-pluggable device into the information handling system, to retrieve firmware details for the hot-pluggable device, to create a firmware capsule payload based on the firmware details, and to store the firmware capsule payload in the memory. The host processor to operate in a pre-boot mode, and in an operating system runtime mode. The host processor, while in the operating system runtime, to retrieve the firmware capsule payload from the memory, to update a cached operating system ESRT based on the firmware capsule payload, to retrieve updated firmware for the hot-pluggable device, and to create the ESRT capsule based on the updated firmware.