Backup firmware in a distributed system

• US 20040139294A1
• Filed: 01/14/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Goodman, Brian Gerard, Jesionowski, Leonard George, Colvig, Arthur John
• Granted Patent: US 6,986,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/162
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1464 for networked environments
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2023 Failover techniques

Abstract

In a distributed system of modules in a network, each module having an associated processor node comprising a processing unit for operating the associated module. The processing unit comprises a processor interface for communication in the network; and nonvolatile memory for storing code for the processing unit for operating the associated module, and for storing backup code for at least one other processing unit of another processor node in the network, the backup code for operating an associated module of the another processor node. In response to a request, the processing unit supplies the backup code to a processor node to be used to restore the code for operating the module associated with the requesting processor node.

Claims

1. A distributed system of modules comprising:

a network; and

a plurality of modules each comprising at least one associated processor node, said associated processor node comprising;

a processing unit for operating said associated module;

a processor interface for providing communication of said processor node in said network; and

nonvolatile memory for storing code for said processing unit for operating said associated module, and for storing backup code for at least one other processing unit of another processor node in said network, said backup code for operating an associated module of said another processor node, said backup code forming a portion of a system aggregate.

2. The distributed system of claim 1, wherein said nonvolatile memory of said associated processor node additionally is for storing backup code for a plurality of other processing units of other processor nodes in said network, said backup code for operating associated modules of said other processor nodes.

3. The distributed system of claim 1, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally comprises logic for responding to a request for backup code received at said processor interface, supplying said backup code at said processor interface.

4. The distributed system of claim 1, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of type of said backup code;

and comprises logic for responding to a request for said identification received at said processor interface, supplying said identification at said processor interface.

5. The distributed system of claim 1, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally comprises logic responsive to a restore signal to send a request at said processor interface for backup code, said backup code comprising code for said processing unit for operating said associated module.

6. The distributed system of claim 5, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of type of said code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic responsive to a restore signal to send a request at said processor interface for an identification of type of backup code;

in response to receiving a response to said request at said processor interface, for comparing said received identification to said maintained identification; and

, in response to said comparison indicating said identification is valid for replacement of said code for operating said associated module, receiving said backup code and replacing at least a portion of said code for operating said associated module with said backup code.

7. The distributed system of claim 5, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of at least one other processor node having backup code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic responsive to a restore signal to send a request at said processor interface to said at least one other processor node for said backup code.

8. The distributed system of claim 7, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of level of said code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic responsive to a restore signal to, in response to receiving an identification of level of backup code of said at least one other processor node, compare said received identification to said maintained identification; and

, in response to said comparison indicating said identification is valid for replacement of said code for operating said associated module, replace at least a portion of said code for operating said associated module with said backup code.

9. The distributed system of claim 1, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of level of said backup code;

and additionally comprises logic to, subsequent to an update of said backup code, send notice of said update at said processor interface on said network.

10. The distributed system of claim 1, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of type and level of said code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic responsive to receipt of an identification of type and level of backup code at said processor interface, for comparing said received identification to said maintained identification; and

, in response to said comparison indicating said identification is valid for replacement of said code for operating said associated module, receiving said backup code and replacing at least a portion of said code for operating said associated module with said backup code.

11. A processor node for association with a module of a distributed system of modules, at least a plurality of said modules having associated processor nodes interconnected in a network, said processor node comprising:

a processing unit for operating said associated module;

a processor interface for providing communication of said processor node in said network; and

nonvolatile memory for storing code for said processing unit for operating said associated module, and for storing backup code for at least one other processing unit of another processor node in said network, said backup code for operating an associated module of said another processor node, said backup code forming a portion of a system aggregate.

12. The processor node of claim 11, wherein said nonvolatile memory additionally is for storing backup code for a plurality of other processing units of other processor nodes in said network, said backup code for operating associated modules of said other processor nodes.

13. The processor node of claim 11, wherein said processing unit additionally comprises logic for responding to a request for backup code received at said processor interface, supplying said backup code at said processor interface.

14. The processor node of claim 11, wherein said processing unit additionally maintains identification of type of said backup code;

and comprises logic for responding to a request for said identification received at said processor interface, supplying said identification at said processor interface.

15. The processor node of claim 11, wherein said processing unit additionally comprises logic responsive to a restore signal to send a request at said processor interface for backup code, said backup code comprising code for said processing unit for operating said associated module.

16. The processor node of claim 15, wherein said processing unit additionally maintains identification of type of said code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic responsive to a restore signal to send a request at said processor interface for an identification of type of backup code;

in response to receiving a response to said request at said processor interface, for comparing said received identification to said maintained identification; and

, in response to said comparison indicating said identification is valid for replacement of said code for operating said associated module, receiving said backup code and replacing at least a portion of said code for operating said associated module with said backup code.

17. The processor node of claim 15, wherein said processing unit additionally maintains identification of at least one other processor node having backup code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic responsive to a restore signal to send a request at said processor interface to said at least one other processor node for said backup code.

18. The processor node of claim 17, wherein said processing unit additionally maintains identification of level of said code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic responsive to a restore signal to, in response to receiving an identification of level of backup code of said at least one other processor node, compare said received identification to said maintained identification; and

, in response to said comparison indicating said identification is valid for replacement of said code for operating said associated module, replace at least a portion of said code for operating said associated module with said backup code.

19. The processor node of claim 11, wherein said processing unit additionally maintains identification of level of said backup code;

and additionally comprises logic to, subsequent to an update of said backup code, send notice of said update at said processor interface on said network.

20. The processor node of claim 11, wherein said processing unit additionally maintains identification of type and level of said code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic responsive to receipt of an identification of type and level of backup code at said processor interface, for comparing said received identification to said maintained identification; and

, in response to said comparison indicating said identification is valid for replacement of said code for operating said associated module, receiving said backup code and replacing at least a portion of said code for operating said associated module with said backup code.

21. A module for a distributed system of modules interconnected in a network, said module comprising:

a system for performing a modular function; and

a processor node associated with said module, said processor node comprising;

a processing unit for operating said associated module to perform said modular function;

a processor interface for providing communication of said processor node in said network; and

nonvolatile memory for storing code for said processing unit for operating said associated module, and for storing backup code for at least one other processing unit of another processor node in said network, said backup code for operating an associated module of said another processor node, said backup code forming a portion of a system aggregate.

22. The module of claim 21, wherein said nonvolatile memory of said associated processor node additionally is for storing backup code for a plurality of other processing units of other processor nodes in said network, said backup code for operating associated modules of said other processor nodes.

23. The module of claim 21, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally comprises logic for responding to a request for backup code received at said processor interface, supplying said backup code at said processor interface.

24. The module of claim 21, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of type of said backup code;

and comprises logic for responding to a request for said identification received at said processor interface, supplying said identification at said processor interface.

25. The module of claim 21, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally comprises logic responsive to a restore signal to send a request at said processor interface for backup code, said backup code comprising code for said processing unit for operating said associated module.

26. The module of claim 25, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of type of said code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic responsive to a restore signal to send a request at said processor interface for an identification of type of backup code;

in response to receiving a response to said request at said processor interface, for comparing said received identification to said maintained identification; and

, in response to said comparison indicating said identification is valid for replacement of said code for operating said associated module, receiving said backup code and replacing at least a portion of said code for operating said associated module with said backup code.

27. The module of claim 25, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of at least one other processor node having backup code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic responsive to a restore signal to send a request at said processor interface to said at least one other processor node for said backup code.

28. The module of claim 27, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of level of said code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic responsive to a restore signal to, in response to receiving an identification of level of backup code of said at least one other processor node, compare said received identification to said maintained identification; and

, in response to said comparison indicating said identification is valid for replacement of said code for operating said associated module, replace at least a portion of said code for operating said associated module with said backup code.

29. The module of claim 21, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of level of said backup code;

and additionally comprises logic to, subsequent to an update of said backup code, send notice of said update at said processor interface on said network.

30. The module of claim 21, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of type and level of said code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic responsive to receipt of an identification of type and level of backup code at said processor interface, for comparing said received identification to said maintained identification; and

, in response to said comparison indicating said identification is valid for replacement of said code for operating said associated module, receiving said backup code and replacing at least a portion of said code for operating said associated module with said backup code.

31. A computer program product usable with a programmable computer processor having computer readable program code embodied therein, said programmable computer processor for association with a module of a distributed system of modules, at least a plurality of said modules having associated processor nodes interconnected in a network, said computer program product comprising:

computer readable program code which causes said programmable computer processor to store code for operating said associated module; and

computer readable program code which causes said programmable computer processor to store backup code for at least one other processing unit of another processor node in said network, said backup code for operating an associated module of said another processor node, said backup code forming a portion of a system aggregate.

32. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein said computer readable program code causes said programmable computer processor to:

store backup code for a plurality of other processing units of other processor nodes in said network, said backup code for operating associated modules of said other processor nodes.

33. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein said computer readable program code additionally causes said programmable computer processor to:

respond to a request for backup code received at a processor interface, supplying said backup code at said processor interface.

34. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein said computer readable program code additionally causes said programmable computer processor to:

maintain identification of type of said backup code; and

respond to a request for said identification received at said processor interface, supplying said identification at said processor interface.

35. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein said computer readable program code additionally causes said programmable computer processor to:

respond to a restore signal, sending a request at a processor interface for backup code, said backup code comprising code for said programmable computer processor to operate said associated module.

36. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein said computer readable program code additionally causes said programmable computer processor to:

maintain identification of type of said computer readable program code for operating said associated module; and

respond to a restore signal, sending a request at said processor interface for an identification of type of backup code;

in response to receiving a response to said request at said processor interface, compare said received identification to said maintained identification; and

, in response to said comparison indicating said identification is valid for replacement of said code for operating said associated module, receive said backup code and replace at least a portion of said code for operating said associated module, with said backup code.

37. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein said computer readable program code additionally causes said programmable computer processor to:

maintain identification of at least one other processor node having backup code for operating said associated module; and

respond to a restore signal, sending a request at said processor interface to said at least one other processor node for said backup code.

38. The computer program product of claim 37, wherein said computer readable program code additionally causes said programmable computer processor to:

maintain identification of level of said code for operating said associated module; and

respond to a restore signal to, in response to receiving an identification of level of backup code of said at least one other processor node, compare said received identification to said maintained identification; and

, in response to said comparison indicating said identification is valid for replacement of said code for operating said associated module, receive said backup code and replace at least a portion of said code for operating said associated module with said backup code.

39. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein said computer readable program code additionally causes said programmable computer processor to:

maintain identification of level of said backup code; and

, subsequent to an update of said backup code, send notice of said update at a processor interface on said network.

40. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein said computer readable program code additionally causes said programmable computer processor to:

maintain identification of type and level of said code for operating said associated module; and

respond to receipt of an identification of type and level of backup code at said processor interface, comparing said received identification to said maintained identification; and

, in response to said comparison indicating said identification is valid for replacement of said code for operating said associated module, receive said backup code and replace at least a portion of said code for operating said associated module with said backup code.

41. An automated data storage library, comprising:

a network; and

a plurality of modules, each for performing a modular function of said automated data storage library, at least a plurality of said modules each comprising at least one associated processor node, said associated processor node comprising;

a processing unit for operating said associated module;

a processor interface for providing communication of said processor node in said network; and

nonvolatile memory for storing code for said processing unit for operating said associated module, and for storing backup code for at least one other processing unit of another processor node in said network, said backup code for operating an associated module of said another processor node, said backup code forming a portion of a system aggregate.

42. The automated data storage library of claim 41, wherein said nonvolatile memory of said associated processor node additionally is for storing backup code for a plurality of other processing units of other processor nodes in said network, said backup code for operating associated modules of said other processor nodes.

43. The automated data storage library of claim 41, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally comprises logic for responding to a request for backup code received at said processor interface, supplying said backup code at said processor interface.

44. The automated data storage library of claim 41, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of type of said backup code;

and comprises logic for responding to a request for said identification received at said processor interface, supplying said identification at said processor interface.

45. The automated data storage library of claim 41, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally comprises logic responsive to a restore signal to send a request at said processor interface for backup code, said backup code comprising code for said processing unit for operating said associated module.

46. The automated data storage library of claim 45, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of type of said code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic responsive to a restore signal to send a request at said processor interface for an identification of type of backup code;

in response to receiving a response to said request at said processor interface, for comparing said received identification to said maintained identification; and

, in response to said comparison indicating said identification is valid for replacement of said code for operating said associated module, receiving said backup code and replacing at least a portion of said code for operating said associated module with said backup code.

47. The automated data storage library of claim 45, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of at least one processor node having backup code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic responsive to a restore signal to send a request at said processor interface to said at least one processor node for said backup code.

48. The automated data storage library of claim 47, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of level of said code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic for responding to a restore signal to, in response to receiving an identification of level of backup code of said at least one other processor node, compare said received identification to said maintained identification; and

, in response to said comparison indicating said identification is valid for replacement of said code for operating said associated module, replace at least a portion of said code for operating said associated module with said backup code.

49. The automated data storage library of claim 41, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of level of said backup code;

and additionally comprises logic to, subsequent to an update of said backup code, send notice of said update at said processor interface on said network.

50. The automated data storage library of claim 41, wherein said processing unit of said associated processor node additionally maintains identification of type and level of said code for operating said associated module;

and comprises logic responsive to receipt of an identification of type and level of backup code at said processor interface, for comparing said received identification to said maintained identification; and

, in response to said comparison indicating said identification is valid for replacement of said code for operating said associated module, receiving said backup code and replacing at least a portion of said code for operating said associated module with said backup code.