Computer system upgrade method employing upgrade management utility which provides uninterrupted idle state

• US 20020188933A1
• Filed: 06/07/2001
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Ni, David, Lee, Aries, Chu, Constance
• Granted Patent: US 6,931,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/656 while running

Abstract

Within both a method for upgrading a computer system and a system for upgrading the computer system there is provided a computer system having associated therewith an upgrade management utility. The upgrade management utility provides for a buffering of a series of incoming requests to the computer system when upgrading the computer system while operating the computer system, to thus provide an uninterrupted idle state when upgrading the computer system when operating the computer system. Thus, the computer system may be upgraded with minimal disruption of functions which it supports.

Claims

1. A method for upgrading a computer system comprising:

providing a computer system having associated therewith an upgrade management utility, the upgrade management utility providing for a buffering of a series of incoming requests to the computer system when upgrading the computer system while operating the computer system, to thus provide an uninterrupted idle state when upgrading the computer system when operating the computer system;

executing the upgrade management utility when operating the computer system to effect the uninterrupted idle state;

upgrading the computer system within the uninterrupted idle state to provide an upgraded computer system while accumulating a series of buffered incoming requests; and

terminating the upgrade management utility after upgrading the computer system within the uninterrupted idle state and releasing the series of buffered incoming requests for operation within the upgraded computer system.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the computer system is operated within a facility selected from the group consisting of chemical fabrication facilities, mechanical fabrication facilities and electrical fabrication facilities.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the computer system is operated within a microelectronic fabrication facility.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the upgrade management utility is resident within the computer system.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the upgrade management utility is not resident within the computer system.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the computer system is upgraded with an upgrade selected from the group consisting of software upgrades, firmware upgrades and hardware upgrades.

7. A system for upgrading a computer system comprising:

a computer system;

an upgrade management utility associated with the computer system, wherein the upgrade management utility provides for a buffering of a series of incoming requests to the computer system when upgrading the computer system while operating the computer system, to thus provide an uninterrupted idle state when upgrading the computer system when operating the computer system.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the computer system is operated within a facility selected from the group consisting of chemical fabrication facilities, mechanical fabrication facilities and electrical fabrication facilities.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the computer system is operated within a microelectronic fabrication facility.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the upgrade management utility is resident within the computer system.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein the upgrade management utility is not resident within the computer system.