Method and apparatus for loading a mirror image software copy across circuit cards

• US 20020199044A1
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc.
• Inventors: Futterman, Joel
• Application Number:
  US10/157,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20020199044A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/62
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0226 Mapping or translating multiple network management protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/005 Interface circuits for subscriber lines current supply H04M19/00 and subgroups; supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements H04M3/22 and subgroups; in key telephone systems H04M9/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2209 for lines also used for data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/30 for subscriber's lines , for the local loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 Constructional details of switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13376 Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services

Abstract

The system of this invention is a method and apparatus for servicing processor controlled circuit cards that obviates the need for engineers to maintain comprehensive software file indexes and databases. In the system of this invention, the software and firmware requirements of a replacement circuit card are made by referring to one or more other circuit cards within the equipment rack. One or more other circuit cards within the equipment rack that have appropriate software modules are then located. Copies of the required software modules are then loaded from those cards to the replacement circuit card.

Claims

1. An apparatus for loading one or more software modules to a first processor controlled circuit card requiring said software modules from one or more second processor controlled circuit cards, all said processor controlled circuit cards being housed within a rack, said apparatus comprising:

requirements identification means for determining said software modules required by said first processor controlled circuit card;

fulfillment identification means for identifying said second processor controlled circuit card containing at least one of said software modules required by said first processor controlled circuit card;

upload means for accessing and uploading said software module required by said first processor controlled circuit card from said second processor controlled circuit card; and

,

download means for downloading and storing said software module required by said first processor controlled circuit card onto said first processor controlled circuit card.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said requirements identification means comprises analyzing a system database.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said fulfillment identification means comprises analyzing a system database.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said upload means comprises accessing said required software module by direct memory address.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said download means comprises writing said required software module into a FLASH memory device.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said requirements identification means comprises analyzing build data, a cyclic redundancy check and version information.

7. A method for loading one or more software modules to a first processor controlled circuit card requiring said software modules from one or more second processor controlled circuit cards, all said processor controlled circuit cards being housed within a rack, said method comprising the steps of:

a. determining said software modules required by said first processor controlled circuit card;

b. identifying said second processor controlled circuit card containing at least one of said software modules determined as being required by said first processor controlled circuit card;

c. accessing said software module required by said first processor controlled circuit card on said second processor controlled circuit card;

d. uploading said software module required by said first processor controlled circuit card from said second processor controlled circuit card;

e. downloading said software module required by said first processor controlled circuit card to said first processor controlled circuit card; and

,

f. storing said required software module on said first processor controlled circuit card.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said determining step (a) includes:

h. the step of analyzing a system database.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said identifying step (b) includes:

i. the step of analyzing a system database.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said accessing step (c) includes:

j. the step of accessing said software module by said first processor controlled circuit card by direct memory address.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said storing step (f) includes:

k. the step of writing said software module by said first processor controlled circuit card into FLASH memory.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said determining step (a) further includes:

l. the step of verifying said software module by analyzing build data and version data

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said identifying step (b) further includes:

m. the step of verifying said software module by analyzing.