Cloud-based firmware distribution service
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- sending, by a first network device, information regarding a first version of firmware installed on the first network device to one or more servers,receiving, by the first network device, information to download firmware from the one or more servers, the information to download firmware including one or more uniform resource locators (URLs) providing access to a second version of the firmware for loading on the first network device, the second version of the firmware being different from the first version of firmware installed on the first network device; and
in response to receiving the information to download firmware by the first network device that is operating as a virtual control device for a second network device,downloading, by the first network device, the second version of the firmware that is different than the first version of the firmware installed on the first network device,providing, by the first network device, the downloaded second version of the firmware to the second network device when the second network device is a same device type as the first network device, andproviding, by the first network device, the information to download firmware to the second network device when the second network device is a different device type than the first network device, the information to download firmware enabling the second network device to access a second version of firmware for the different device type than the first network device directly from the one or more servers.
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Abstract
According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for altering stored firmware within a network device comprises receiving, by a first network device, information to download firmware. This information is provided from the first network device to at least a second network device, which is communicatively coupled to the first network device. The information enables the second network device to access a second version of firmware different than a first version of firmware installed on the second network device.
59 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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sending, by a first network device, information regarding a first version of firmware installed on the first network device to one or more servers, receiving, by the first network device, information to download firmware from the one or more servers, the information to download firmware including one or more uniform resource locators (URLs) providing access to a second version of the firmware for loading on the first network device, the second version of the firmware being different from the first version of firmware installed on the first network device; and in response to receiving the information to download firmware by the first network device that is operating as a virtual control device for a second network device, downloading, by the first network device, the second version of the firmware that is different than the first version of the firmware installed on the first network device, providing, by the first network device, the downloaded second version of the firmware to the second network device when the second network device is a same device type as the first network device, and providing, by the first network device, the information to download firmware to the second network device when the second network device is a different device type than the first network device, the information to download firmware enabling the second network device to access a second version of firmware for the different device type than the first network device directly from the one or more servers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11)
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10. A network device comprising:
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a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including firmware update logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the network device to perform one or more operations that comprise; sending information regarding a first version of firmware installed on the network device to an external source, receiving information to download firmware from the external source, the information to download firmware including one or more uniform resource locators (URLs) providing access to a second version of the firmware for loading on the network device, the second version of the firmware being different from the first version of firmware installed on the network device, and in response to receiving the information to download firmware by the network device operating as a virtual control device for a second network device, downloading the second version of the firmware that is different from the first version of the firmware installed on the network device, providing the downloaded second version of the firmware to the second network device when the second network device is a same device type as the network device, and providing the information to download firmware to the second network device when the second network device is a different device type than the network device, the information to download firmware enabling the second network device to access a second version of firmware for the different device type than the network device directly from the one or more servers. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system comprising:
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one or more servers that provide a cloud-based firmware distribution service by receiving a request for firmware and providing information to enable retrieval of a particular version of firmware for at least multiple types of network; and a first network device communicatively coupled to the one or more servers and operating as a virtual control device for a second network device, the first network device comprises a processor, a memory, and a communication interface that collectively operate to (i) send information regarding a first version of firmware installed on the first network device to the one or more servers, (ii) receive information to download firmware including one or more uniform resource locators (URLs) providing access to a second version of the firmware, and (iii) responsive to receiving the information, (a) downloading the second version of the firmware that is different from the first version of the firmware installed on the first network device, (b) providing the downloaded second version of the firmware to the second network device when the second network device is a same device type as the first network device, and (c) providing the information to at least the second network device when the second network device is a different device type than the first network device, the information enabling the second network device to access a second version of the firmware for the different device type directly from the one or more servers. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification