Dynamic firmware image creation from an object file stored in a reserved area of a data storage device of a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) system

• US 6,745,324 B1
• Filed: 11/16/2000
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Skazinski, Joseph G., Otterness, Noel S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Butler, Dennis M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SURYAWANSHI, SURESH
• Application Number:
  US09/715,689
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 713/2, 713/1, 714/6, 714/7, 714/710
• US Class Current: 713/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for dynamically creating an executable image from an Object File Format (OFF) file stored in a reserved area 175 of one of a plurality of data storage devices 125 in a memory system 100. In the method, a controller 105 having a Programable Read Only Memory (PROM) 160, Random Access Memory (RAM) 155 and a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 150 is coupled to the plurality of data storage devices 125. The memory system 100 is initialized using an initial boot sequence stored in the PROM 160. This initialization can include a hardware discovery sequence to identify all hardware present in the memory system 100. Data relating to the discovered hardware is read from the OFF file and translated from an object format into an executable image that is assembled in RAM 155. Optionally, the PROM 160 is an Electronically Erasable PROM (EEPROM) and the assembled executable image is stored in the EEPROM replacing the initial boot sequence.

Claims

1. A method of operating a RAID controller, said RAID controller including a RAM, said controller including a PROM containing an initial boot sequence, said method comprising the steps of:

installing in a disk drive data storage device including a reserved area with an OFF file, the RAID controller controlling said disk drive; and

said controller discovering hardware and a configuration of said controller and then reading data from said OFF file pertaining to said hardware and configuration;

said controller translating said data, read from said OFF file, from an object format to an executable format compatible with said PROM;

said controller assembling in said RAM an executable image of a program in said OFF file based on said data read from said OFF file; and

said controller executing the assembled executable image from said RAM.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said program is a new or updated initial boot sequence.

3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of copying said executable image of said program from said RAM into said PROM replacing or updating the first said intial boot sequence.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said RAID controller also controls a plurality of other data storage devices.