Patent ID: 8745614
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for upgrading firmware in a virtualized storage environment that includes a controller having a first virtual machine manager, at least one second guest virtual machine and at least one storage device, wherein the at least one storage device includes a first logical area having stored therein a current firmware version solution bundle and marked as a Staging area, a second logical area having stored therein a current firmware version for the first virtual machine manager and the at least one second guest virtual machine and marked as an Active area, and a P-cache area, the method comprising: moving the current firmware version solution bundle from the first logical area to the P-cache area; downloading a new firmware version solution bundle to the first logical area; installing in the first logical area a new firmware version for the first virtual machine manager and the at least one second guest virtual machine, wherein installing the new firmware version includes rebooting the virtualized storage environment with the installed new firmware version; committing to the new firmware version for the first virtual machine manager and the at least one second guest virtual machine if the installation of the new firmware version for the first virtual machine manager and the at least one second guest virtual machine is successful; and rolling back the firmware version from the new firmware version to the current firmware version for the first virtual machine manager and the at least one second guest virtual machine if the installation of the new firmware version for the first virtual machine manager and the at least one second guest virtual machine is not successful, wherein the firmware upgrading method allows data storage arrays coupled to the virtualized storage environment to remain operational and to provide access to hosts or initiators coupled to the storage arrays during the firmware upgrade.