Methods, systems and computer program products for secure firmware updates
First Claim
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1. A method of updating firmware in a network computer, which initializes using a boot image comprising a standard operating system on a network server, the method comprising:
- detecting, at the network server, whether the network computer firmware is to be updated;
performing the following steps if the network server detects that the network computer firmware is to be updated;
replacing, at the network server, the standard operating system to be loaded at the initialization of the network computer with a firmware update operating system;
then downloading the firmware update operating system to the network computer at initialization of the network computer;
then initiating the firmware update operating system to update the firmware of the network computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which update firmware in a network computer by replacing the standard operating system to be loaded at the initialization of the network computer with a firmware update operating system. The firmware update operating system is then downloaded to the network computer and initiated to update the firmware of the network computer. The firmware update operating system may then be replaced with the standard operating system to be loaded at the initialization of the network computer. The network computer may then be reinitialized by, for example, a cold boot, so as to load the standard operating system. The cold boot may be server initiated so as to allow for firmware updates with intervention by an operator at the network computer.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of updating firmware in a network computer, which initializes using a boot image comprising a standard operating system on a network server, the method comprising:
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detecting, at the network server, whether the network computer firmware is to be updated;
performing the following steps if the network server detects that the network computer firmware is to be updated;
replacing, at the network server, the standard operating system to be loaded at the initialization of the network computer with a firmware update operating system;
thendownloading the firmware update operating system to the network computer at initialization of the network computer;
theninitiating the firmware update operating system to update the firmware of the network computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for updating firmware in a network computer, which initializes using a boot image comprising a standard operating system on a network server, comprising:
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means for detecting, at the network server, whether the network computer firmware is to be updated;
means for replacing the standard operating system to be loaded at the initialization of the network computer with a firmware update operating system;
means for downloading the firmware update operating system to the network computer at initialization of the network computer; and
means for initiating the firmware update operating system to update the firmware of the network computer;
wherein the means for replacing the standard operating system, the means for downloading the firmware update operating system, and the means for initiating the firmware update operating system are operably associated with the means for detecting so as to only update the network computer firmware if the means for detecting detects that the network computer firmware is to be updated. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer program product for updating firmware in a network computer, which initializes using a boot image comprising a standard operating system on a network server, the computer program product comprising:
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a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code means embodied in said medium, said computer-readable program code means comprising;
computer-readable program code means for detecting, at the network server, whether the network computer firmware is to be updated, computer-readable program code means for replacing the standard operating system to be loaded at the initialization of the network computer with a firmware update operating system;
computer-readable program code means for downloading the firmware update operating system to the network computer at initialization of the network computer; and
computer-readable program code means for initiating the firmware update operating system to update the firmware of the network computer;
wherein the computer-readable program code means for replacing the standard operating system, the computer-readable program code means for downloading the firmware update operating system, and the computer-readable program code means for initiating the firmware update operating system are operably associated with the computer-readable program code means for detecting so as to only update the network computer firmware if the computer-readable program code means for detecting detects that the network computer firmware is to be updated. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeLenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
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Original AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
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InventorsCraig, Jeffrey A., Johnson, Robert A., Stafford, James M., Lauber, Brian Stuart, Harter, John L.
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Primary Examiner(s)Powell, Mark
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Assistant Examiner(s)Vo, Ted T.
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Application NumberUS08/912,288Time in Patent Office1,439 DaysField of Search717/10, 717/11, 717/9US Class Current717/173CPC Class CodesG06F 8/65 Updates security arrangemen...G06F 9/4416 Network booting; Remote ini...
