Method for updating memory resident firmware as a background operation
First Claim
1. A method for upgrading firmware during background operation in a storage area network comprising at least one storage controller having programmable memory and RAM, said at least one storage controller for controlling data access between at least one host server and at least one storage device, comprising:
- suspending data access commands from said at least one host server;
upgrading firmware from a current version of firmware stored in programmable memory;
copying the current version of firmware in a first memory address of RAM to a second memory address in the RAM;
overwriting the current version of firmware in the first memory address in RAM with the upgraded version of firmware;
reinitializing the at least one storage controller; and
provisioning data access commands from said at least one host server to said at least one storage device prior to receiving a data access error message.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of upgrading firmware during background operation in a storage area network (SAN) including at least one storage controller having programmable memory and RAM, where the at least one storage controller for controls data access between at least one host server and at least one storage device. The method includes temporarily suspending data access commands from the at least one host server, upgrading firmware stored in programmable memory, and copying a current version of firmware in a first memory address of RAM to a second memory address in the RAM. The current version of firmware in the first memory address in RAM is overwritten with the upgraded version of firmware. The controller is reinitialized, and data access commands from the at least one host server to the at least one storage device are provided by the at least one storage controller.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for upgrading firmware during background operation in a storage area network comprising at least one storage controller having programmable memory and RAM, said at least one storage controller for controlling data access between at least one host server and at least one storage device, comprising:
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suspending data access commands from said at least one host server; upgrading firmware from a current version of firmware stored in programmable memory; copying the current version of firmware in a first memory address of RAM to a second memory address in the RAM; overwriting the current version of firmware in the first memory address in RAM with the upgraded version of firmware; reinitializing the at least one storage controller; and provisioning data access commands from said at least one host server to said at least one storage device prior to receiving a data access error message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer readable medium in a general purpose computer system that operates as a special purpose controller when executing at least one program for upgrading firmware in a storage area network comprising at least one storage controller having programmable memory and RAM, said at least one storage controller for controlling data access between at least one host server and at least one storage device, comprising:
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suspending data access commands from said at least one host server; upgrading firmware from a current version of firmware stored in programmable memory; copying the current version of firmware in a first memory address of RAM to a second memory address in the RAM; overwriting the current version of firmware in the first memory address in RAM with the upgraded version of firmware; reinitializing the at least one storage controller; and provisioning data access commands from said at least one host server to said at least one storage device prior to receiving a data access error message. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. Apparatus for upgrading firmware during background operation in a storage area network comprising at least one storage controller having programmable memory and RAM, said at least one storage controller for controlling data access between at least one host server and at least one storage device, comprising:
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means for suspending data access commands from said at least one host server; means for upgrading firmware from a current version of firmware stored in programmable memory; means for copying the current version of firmware in a first memory address of RAM to a second memory address in the RAM; means for overwriting the current version of firmware in the first memory address in RAM with the upgraded version of firmware; means for reinitializing the at least one storage controller; and means for provisioning data access commands from said at least one host server to said at least one storage device prior to receiving a data access error message.
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Specification