Collecting and altering firmware configurations of target machines in a software provisioning environment

A provisioning server can provide and interact with a firmware tool on target machines. The firmware tool can communicate with the firmware of the target machines and collect data representing the configuration of the firmware of the target machines, independent of the types of the target machines. To communicate independent of the type of target machine, the firmware tool can include a translation library. The translation library enables the firmware tool to receive common instructions for interacting with firmware and convert those common instructions into specific instructions that are compatible with different types of the target machines.

FIELD

This invention relates generally to software provisioning. In particular, the invention relates to systems and methods for managing firmware in a software provisioning environment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Software provisioning is the process of selecting a target machine, such as a server, loading the appropriate software (operating system, device drivers, middleware, and applications), and customizing and configuring the system and the software to make it ready for operation. Software provisioning can entail a variety of tasks, such as creating or changing a boot image, specifying parameters, e.g. IP address, IP gateway, to find associated network and storage resources, and then starting the machine and its newly-loaded software. Typically, a system administrator will perform these tasks using various tools because of the complexity of these tasks. Unfortunately, there is a lack of provisioning control tools that can adequately integrate and automate these tasks.

Often, large entities, such as corporations, businesses, and universities, maintain large networks that include numerous systems spread over a wide geographic area. Often, these systems are provided by a variety of different vendors and include a variety of hardware and hardware configurations. Typically, each vendor provides various tools to manage the hardware of the systems they manufacture and these tools are often not cross-compatible. To manage these systems, the administrator of the network must utilize each vendor's tools separately in order to interact with the different systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the principles of the present invention are described by referring mainly to exemplary embodiments thereof. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that the same principles are equally applicable to, and can be implemented in, all types of information and systems, and that any such variations do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, in the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying figures, which illustrate specific embodiments. Electrical, mechanical, logical and structural changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Embodiments of the present teachings relate to systems and methods for managing firmware configurations of target machines in a software provisioning environment. More particularly, a provisioning server can utilize a firmware tool on target machines in order to collect firmware configuration data from and apply configuration data to the target machines, regardless of a type of the target machines.

According to embodiments, a provisioning server can be configured to provide and to interact with a firmware tool on target machines. The firmware tool can be configured to operate on different types of target machines independent of the type of the target machines. The firmware tool can be configured to communicate with the firmware of the target machines and collect data representing the configuration of the firmware of the target machines.

According to embodiments, to communicate independent of the type of target machine, the firmware tool can be configured to include a translation library. The translation library enables the firmware tool to receive common instructions for interacting with firmware and convert those common instructions into specific instructions that are compatible with different types of the target machines. As such, the firmware tool can be configured to operate and execute on any target machine regardless of the type of the target machines.

According to embodiments, to provide the firmware tool, the provisioning server can be configured to instruct a network management server to provide a command to a helper client on the target machines. The command can be configured to cause the helper client to retrieve the firmware tool from the provisioning server. Additionally, the provisioning server can be configured to instruct the helper client, directly. Likewise, the provisioning server can be configured to transmit the firmware tool to the target machines and to instruct the target machines to alter their power state (e.g. power cycle), if necessary, to initiate the firmware tool.

According to embodiments, the provisioning server can be configured to interact with the firmware tool, directly, to instruct the firmware tool and to collect the data from the firmware tool. Likewise, the provisioning server can be configured to operate in conjunction with the network management server in order to instruct the firmware tool and to collect data from the firmware tool. Once data is collected, the provisioning server can be configured to store the collected data in a firmware record.

According to embodiments, the provisioning sever can be configured to maintain the firmware record in order to track and manage the firmware configurations of the target machines in the software provisioning environment. For example, the provisioning server can be configured to utilize the collected data in the firmware record to check the target machines to see if the firmware configuration data is correct. If incorrect in a particular target machine, the provisioning server can be configured to provide the firmware tool to the particular target machine and configured to instruct the firmware tool to apply the stored firmware configuration data to the particular target machine.

By providing a firmware tool from a provisioning server, the provisioning server can manage the firmware configurations of the target machines in the software provisioning environment. Additionally, because the firmware tool is universally compatible with different types of target machines, the provisioning server can manage the firmware configuration of a wide variety of target machines without utilizing separate tools and protocols for each different type of target machine.

FIG. 1illustrates an overall provisioning environment100, in systems and methods for the execution, management, and monitoring of software provisioning, according to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure. Embodiments described herein can be implemented in or supported by the exemplary environment illustrated inFIG. 1. The provisioning environment100provides a unified provisioning environment, which comprehensively manages the tasks related to software provisioning.

In particular, the provisioning environment100can manage software provisioning using a hierarchy of commands. In exemplary embodiments, the hierarchy can include at least four levels of commands. The lowest level in the hierarchy can comprise distribution commands, which primarily handle base operating system specific tasks of provisioning. The second level can comprise profile commands, which associate a configuration file, such as a kickstart file for Linux or other operating system, with a distribution and optionally allow for customization. The third level comprises system commands, which associate remote systems that are involved with the provisioning of the software. The fourth level comprises repository commands, which address configurations and tasks related to updating the software, remote installation procedures, and optionally customizing the software.

The provisioning environment100provides several capabilities and advantages over the known provisioning solutions. For example, the present invention is capable of handling a variety of forms of installations, such as preboot execution environment (“PXE”), virtualization, re-installations, and image installations.

In exemplary aspects, the provisioning environment100enables integrating virtualization into a PXE provisioning infrastructure and provides several options to reinstall running machines as well. The provisioning environment100can integrate mirroring of package repositories with the provisioning process, so that a provisioning server may serve as a central mirror point of contact for all of an organizations software needs. In aspects, a set of remote mirrored repositories can automatically be used by provisioned systems without additional setup.

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects the provisioning environment100. The provisioning environment100can be applied to provisioning any form of software, such as Windows systems, UNIX systems, and Linux systems. In the exemplary description that follows,FIG. 1is presented to explain the provisioning environment100for provisioning software, such as Linux, and Linux based software, such as Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux by Red Hat, Inc.

In provisioning of software such as Linux, many system administrators use what is known as the “kickstart” installation method. Kickstart files are files that specify the intended configuration of the software being provisioned. Kickstart files can be kept on a server and can be read by individual computers during the installation. This installation method allows the use of a single or relatively few standard kickstart files to install Linux on multiple machines, making it ideal for network and system administrators.

The kickstart file can be a simple text file, containing a list of items, each identified by a keyword. In general, a kickstart file can be edited with any text editor or word processor that can save files as ASCII text. One skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be applied to non-kickstart files in software provisioning. For example, configuration files such as AutoYAST Answer files used in Novell SuSe Linux and Sun Solaris Jumpstart files may also be used by the provisioning environment100.

Typically, a kickstart file can be copied to the boot disk, or made available on the network. The network-based approach is most commonly used, as most kickstart installations for software provisioning, such as Linux systems, tend to be performed via a network using NFS, FTP, or HTTP on networked computers. Administrators also find it desirable that kickstart installations can be performed using a local CD-ROM, or a local hard drive.

Using kickstart files, a system administrator can create a single file containing the parameters that are needed to complete a typical software installation. For example, kickstart files specify parameters related to: language selection; mouse configuration; keyboard selection; boot loader installation; disk partitioning; network configuration; NIS, LDAP, Kerberos, Hesiod, and Samba authentication; firewall configuration; and package selection.

According to exemplary aspects illustrated inFIG. 1, the provisioning environment100can include a provisioning server102, a code repository104which provides access to distributions106and108, a set of installation templates110, a set of exception plugins112, a helper client114running on target machines116in a network115, a provisioning database120which comprises a distribution tree list122and template list124. Each of these components will now be further described.

The provisioning server (from herein referred to as a “cobbler”)102is responsible for: serving as an extensible markup language remote procedure call (XMLRPC) handler; linking to or mirroring install distribution trees and a configuration database; hosting kickstart templates; hosting plugins; generating installation images, and the like. The cobbler server102can be implemented as software, such as Python code, installed on a boot server machine and provide a command line interface for configuration of the boot server. In addition, the cobbler server102can make itself available as a Python application programming interface (API) for use by higher level management software (not shown). The cobbler server102supports provisioning via PXE, image (ISO) installation, virtualization, re-provisioning. As will be described later, the last two modes are performed with the assistance of a helper client114.

The code repository104is responsible for hosting distributions106and108. The code repository104can be implemented using well known components of hardware and software. Additionally, the code repository104can include one or more repositories hosting distributions. The distributions106and108can include bundles of software that are already compiled and configured. The distributions106and108may be in the form of either rpm, deb, tgz, msi, exe formats, and the like. For example, as Linux distributions, the distributions106and108are bundles of software that comprise the Linux kernel, the non-kernel parts of the operating system, and assorted other software. The distributions106and108can take a variety of forms, from fully-featured desktop and server operating systems to minimal environments.

In exemplary aspects, the installation templates110are any data structure or processing element that can be combined with a set of installation configurations and processed to produce a resulting configuration file, such as a kickstart file.

In exemplary aspects, exception plugins112are software that interact with cobbler server102to customize the provisioning of software. In general, the exception plugins112are intended to address infrequent customization needs.

In exemplary aspects, the helper client (known as “koan”, which stands for “kickstart-over-a-network”)114can assist the cobbler server102during the provisioning processes. The koan114can allow for both network provisioning of new virtualized guests and destructive provisioning of any existing system. When invoked, the koan114can request profile information from a remote boot server that has been configured with the cobbler server102. In some aspects, what the koan114does with the profile data depends on whether it was invoked with -virt or -replace-self.

In exemplary aspects, the koan114can enable replacing running systems as well as installing virtualized profiles. The koan114can also be pushed out to systems automatically from the boot server. In some aspects, the koan client114is also written in Python code to accommodate a variety of operating systems, machine architectures, etc.

In exemplary aspects, the network115can include a number of the target machines116. The target machines116can represent the particular machines to which software provisioning is directed. The target machines116can represent a wide variety of computing devices, such as personal computers, servers, laptop computers, personal mobile devices, and the like. In some aspects, the target machines116can represent distributed computing environments such as cloud computing environments. AlthoughFIG. 1shows several of the target machines116, the provisioning environment100can be capable of managing a wide range environments, such as datacenters with thousands of machines or server pools with just a few machines. Additionally, the cobbler server102can be connected to multiple networks115.

In exemplary aspects, the provisioning database120can serve as a data storage location for holding data used by the cobbler server102. For example, as shown, the provisioning database120can comprise the distribution tree list122and the template list124. The distribution tree list122can provide an inventory of the distributions106and108that are hosted or mirrored by the cobbler server102. The template list124can provide an inventory of the templates110that are hosted by the cobbler server102.

As noted above, the cobbler server102can manage provisioning using a hierarchical concept of distribution commands, profile commands, system commands, and repository commands. This framework enables the cobbler server102to abstract the differences between multiple provisioning types (installation, reinstallation, and virtualization) and allows installation of all three from a common platform. This hierarchy of commands also permits the cobbler server102to integrate software repositories126with the provisioning process, thus allowing systems to be configured as a mirror for software updates and third party content as well as distribution content.

Distributions can contain information about base operating system tasks, such as what kernel and initial ramdisk (“initrd”) are used in the provisioning, along with other information, such as required kernel parameters. Profiles associate one of the distributions106and108with a kickstart file and optionally customize it further, for example, using plugins112. System commands associate a hostname, IP, or (machine access control) MAC with a distribution and optionally customize the profile further. Repositories contain update information, such as yum mirror information that the cobbler server102uses to mirror repository104. The cobbler server102can also manage (generate) dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) configuration files using the templates110.

In exemplary aspects, the cobbler server102can use a provisioning environment that is fully templated, allowing for kickstarts and PXE files to be customized by the user. The cobbler server102uses the concept of “profiles” as an intermediate step between the operating system and the installed system. A profile is a description of what a system does rather than the software to be installed. For instance, a profile might describe a virtal web server with X amount of RAM, Y amounts of disk space, running a Linux distribution Z, and with an answer file W.

In exemplary aspects, the cobbler server102can provide a command line interface to configure a boot server in which it is installed. For example, the format of the cobbler server102commands can be generally in the format of: cobbler command [subcomrnmand] [--arg1=] [--arg2=]. Thus, a user can specify various aspects of software provisioning via a single interface, such as a command line interface or other known interface. Examples of exemplary cobbler commands can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/763,315, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008-0288938 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/763,333, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008-0288939, all assigned to Red Hat Corporation, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein, in their entirety, by reference.

According to exemplary aspects, a user can use various commands of the provisioning environment100to specify distributions and install trees hosted by the code repository104, such as a distribution from the distributions106or108. A user can add or import a distribution or import it from installation media or an external network location.

According to exemplary aspects, in order to import a distribution, the cobbler server102can auto-add distributions and profiles from remote sources, whether this is an installation media (such as a DVD), an NFS path, or an rsync mirror. When importing an rsyne mirror, the cobbler server102can try to detect the distribution type and automatically assign kickstarts. By default in some embodiments, the cobbler server can provision by erasing the hard drive, setting up eth0 for DHCP, and using a default password. If this is undesirable, an administrator may edit the kickstart files in /etc/cobbler to do something else or change the kickstart setting after the cobbler server102creates the profile.

According to exemplary aspects, a user may map profiles to the distributions and map systems to the profiles using profile commands and systems commands of the provisioning environment100. A profile associates a distribution to additional specialized options, such as a kickstart automation file. In the cobbler server102, profiles are the unit of provisioning and at least one profile exists for every distribution to be provisioned. A profile might represent, for instance, a web server or desktop configuration.

According to exemplary aspects, a user can map systems to profiles using system commands. System commands can assign a piece of hardware with cobbler server102to a profile. Systems can be defined by hostname, Internet Protocol (IP) address, or machine access control (MAC) address. When available, use of the MAC address to assign systems can be preferred.

According to exemplary aspects, the user can map repositories and profiles using repository commands. Repository commands can address configurations and tasks related to updating the software, remote installation procedures, and optionally customizing the software. These repository commands can also specify mirroring of the provisioned software to remote servers. Repository mirroring can allow the cobbler server102to mirror not only the trees106and108, but also optional packages, third party content, and updates. Mirroring can be useful for faster, more up-to-date installations and faster updates, or providing software on restricted networks. The cobbler server102can also include other administrative features, such as allowing the user to view their provisioning configuration or information tracking the status of a requested software installation.

According to exemplary aspects, a user can utilize commands to create a provisioning infrastructure from a distribution mirror. Then a default PXE configuration is created, so that by default, systems will PXE boot into a fully automated install process for that distribution. The distribution mirror can be a network rsync mirror or a mounted DVD location.

According to exemplary aspects, the administrator uses a local kernel and initrd file (already downloaded), and shows how profiles would be created using two different kickstarts—one for a web server configuration and one for a database server. Then, a machine can be assigned to each profile.

According to exemplary aspects, a repo mirror can be set up for two repositories, and create a profile that will auto install those repository configurations on provisioned systems using that profile.

According to exemplary aspects, in addition to normal provisioning, the cobbler server102can support yet another option, called “enchant”. Enchant takes a configuration that has already been defined and applies it to a remote system that might not have the remote helper program installed. Users can use this command to replace a server that is being repurposed, or when no PXE environment can be created. Thus, the enchant option allows the remote the koan client114to be executed remotely from the cobbler server102.

According to aspects, if the cobbler server102is configured to mirror certain repositories, the cobbler server102can then be used to associate profiles with those repositories. Systems installed under those profiles can be auto configured to use these repository mirrors in commands and, if supported, these repositories can be leveraged. This can be useful for a large install base, when fast installation and upgrades for systems are desired, or software not in a standard repository exists and provisioned systems desire to know about that repository.

According to exemplary aspects, the cobbler server102can also keep track of the status of kickstarting machines. For example, the “cobbler status” will show when the cobbler server102thinks a machine started kickstarting and when it last requested a file. This can be a desirable way to track machines that may have gone inactive during kickstarts. The cobbler server102can also make a special request in the post section of the kickstart to signal when a machine is finished kickstarting.

According to exemplary aspects, for certain commands, the cobbler server102will create new virtualized guests on a machine in accordance with orders from the cobbler server102. Once finished, an administrator can use additional commands on the guest or other operations. The cobbler server102can automatically name domains based on their MAC addresses. For re-kickstarting, the cobbler server102can reprovision the system, deleting any current data and replacing it with the results of a network install.

According to exemplary aspects, the cobbler server102can configure boot methods for the provisioning requested by the user. For example, the cobbler server102can configure a PXE environment, such as a network card BIOS. Alternatively, the cobbler server102can compile and configure information for koan client104. The cobbler server102can also optionally configure DHCP and DNS configuration information.

According to exemplary aspects, the cobbler server102can serve the request of the koan client114. The koan client114can acknowledge the service of information of the cobbler server102and can then initiate installation of the software being provisioned. Additionally, the koan client114can either install the requested software, e.g., replace the existing operating system, or install a virtual machine.

FIG. 2illustrates aspects of the provisioning environment200that allows management of firmware of target machines, remotely. In embodiments as shown, the cobbler server102can be coupled to a network115and a network management server215to provide provisioning processes and other actions related to provisioning for the network115. WhileFIG. 2illustrates one network115with exemplary components, one skilled in the art will realize that the cobbler server102can be coupled to multiple networks to provide provisioning processes and other actions related to provisioning.

As shown inFIG. 2, the network115can include a number of target machines205. For example, the target machines205can include a group of server computers, such as blade servers. The target machines205can include computing systems such as servers, personal computers, laptop computers, etc. The target machines205can be connected to power management systems210to control the power supplied to the target machines205and to alter the power state of one or more of the target machines205(e.g. power cycle). The power management systems210can be any type of system to manage the power of the target machines, for example, Integrated Lights Out (ILO) by Hewlett Packard™ Corporation, Dell™ Remote Access Control (DRAC) by Dell Corporation, WTI powerbar by Western Telematies, Inc, and other power system supporting network communications. Additionally, each of the target machines205can be configured to include a koan client114.

In embodiments, the target machines205can include hardware typically found in conventional computing system (processors, memory, video cards, network interface cards, storage devices, and the like). As such, the target machines205can include firmware on each of the target machines205, such as a basic input/output system (BIOS). The firmware contains basic code that executes once the target machines205begin running and each time the target machines205restart. The firmware can be responsible for identifying, testing, and initializing the hardware of the target machines, prior to other software (e.g. OS) taking control. The firmware can also include configuration data that is utilized in initializing the hardware.

In embodiments, the target machines205, in the network115, can be different types of computing systems. For example, the various target machines205can be manufactured or constructed by different vendors, for example, Dell Corporation, IBM Corporation, Hewlett Packard Corporation, and the like. Typically, each vendor can utilize a different firmware for the target machines205, which they manufacture. As such, the firmware for the target machines205can differ and can utilize specific instructions for communicating with the firmware and a specific format of the firmware configuration data, based on the vendor of the target machines205.

In embodiments, the cobbler server102can be configured to manage the firmware of the target machines205, regardless of the type of the target machines205. For example, the target machines205can include different types of firmware based on the particular vendor of the target machines205. To achieve this, the cobbler server102can be configured to provide a firmware tool212to one or more of the target machines205and to interact with the firmware tool212in order to manage the firmware of the target machines205.

In embodiments, the firmware tool212can be configured to operate on the target machines205independent of the particular firmware of the target machines205. To achieve this, the firmware tool212can be configured to include a translation library213. The translation library213can include lists of the specific instructions to communicate with the different firmware and a conversion table to convert common instructions into the specific instructions for communicating with the different firmware. The conversion table can map a particular common instruction to a particular specific instruction in the particular list associated with a particular type of the firmware. The translation library235enables the firmware tool to receive the common instructions for interacting with firmware and convert those common instructions into the specific instructions that are compatible with the different types of firmware. Additionally, the translation library235can include a list of the formats for the configuration data of the different firmware and a conversion table for converting the different configuration data formats into a common configuration data format. As such, the firmware tool21can be configured to operate and execute on any target machine205regardless of the type of the target machines205and the firmware on the target machines205.

In embodiment, the firmware tool212can also be configured to include the necessary logic, routines, instruction, and commands to boot the target machines205or to cooperated with the OS of the target machines205in order to identify the type of the target machine205, to communicate with the firmware of the target machines205, and to manage the firmware of the target machines. The firmware tool212can be, for example, a disk image, an ISO image, a software appliance (e.g. portions of an OS and applications), or any other type of tailored software application capable of executing on the target machines205.

In embodiments, the cobbler server102can be configured to utilize the firmware tool212to perform any number of management processes on the firmware of the target machines205. The cobbler server102can be configured to utilize the firmware tool212to collect firmware configuration data214, alter the firmware configuration data, and the like.

In embodiments, the cobbler server102can initiate providing the firmware tool212upon the occurrence of any number of events. For example, the cobbler server102can provide the firmware tool212when a target machine205is added to the network115or new hardware is added to a target machine205. Likewise, the cobbler server102can provide the firmware tool212, periodically, to the target machines205to test the firmware of the target machines205. Additionally, the cobbler server102can be configured to provide the firmware tool212in the event an error occurs on the target machines205(hardware/software failure, intruder attack on the target machines205, etc.).

In embodiments, the cobbler server102can be configured to maintain the firmware tool212for access and utilization in managing the firmware of the target machines205. For example, the cobbler server102can be configured maintain the firmware tool212in a non-transitory storage device or system (CD, DVD, hard drive, portable storage memory, database etc.) whether local to the cobbler server102or remotely located. Additionally, the cobbler server102can maintain the firmware tool212or information specifying the location of the firmware tool212in the provisioning database120.

In embodiments, to provide the firmware tool212, the cobbler server102can be configured to provide the firmware tool212utilizing the network management server215. The cobbler server102can be configured to instruct the network management server215to provide a command to the koan client114on the target machines205. The command can be configured to cause the koan client114to retrieve the firmware tool212from the cobbler server102and initiate the firmware tool212on the target machines205. Likewise, the cobbler server102can be configured to directly instruct the koan client114to retrieve the firmware tool212and to initiate the firmware tool212.

In embodiments, the network management server215can be any type of network management application or tool to securely communicate with the target machines205, to monitor the state of the target machines205, to retrieve and request data from the target machines205, and to manage and direct the target machines205. For example, the network management server215can be a “FUNC” server as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/130,424, filed May 30, 2008, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOTE MANAGEMENT OF NETWORKED SYSTEMS USING SECURE MODULAR PLATFORM” (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20090300180) assigned to Red Hat Corporation, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference.

In embodiments, the cobbler server102can be configured to provide the firmware tool212to the target machines205, directly. To achieve this, the cobbler server102can be configured to transmit the firmware tool212to the target machines205.

In embodiments, once the firmware tool212is transmitted, the cobbler server102can be configured to instruct the target machines205to alter their power state (e.g. power cycle) to initiate the firmware tool212, if necessary. For example, in order to communicate with the firmware, the target machines205may need to be power cycled. The cobbler server102can power cycle (power down/power up) the target machines205in order to initiate the firmware tool212or restart the target machines205after the firmware tool212has completed management. The cobbler server102can be configured to communicate with the power management system210of the target machines205to alter the power state of the target machines205. To achieve this, the cobbler server102can be configured to include a power management module230.

In embodiments, the power management module230can be configured to communicate with the power management systems210of the target machines205. The power management module230can be configured to instruct the power management systems210to alter the power state of the target machines205. The power management module230can be configured to generate a command or instruction. The instruction can include access information for the power management systems210and the power state alteration to be performed.

In embodiments, the power management module230can be configured to form the instruction in a protocol utilized by the particular power management systems210. For example, the cobbler server102can be configured to utilize conventional or proprietary protocols or tools such as IPMI, DRAC, ILO, fence agents and the like. The power management module230can be configured to utilize a pre-determined protocol or utilize several protocols in order to determine the appropriate protocol. Once generated, the cobbler server102can be configured to transmit the instruction to the determined power management systems210.

In embodiments, the power management module230can be implemented as a portion of the code for the cobbler server102. Likewise, the power management module230can be implemented as a separate software tool accessible by the cobbler server102. Additionally, the power management module230can be implemented as a portion of the code for the network management server215. The power management module230can be written in a variety of programming languages, such as JAVA, C++, Python code, and the like to accommodate a variety of operating systems, machine architectures, etc. Additionally, the power management module230can be configured to include the appropriate application programming interfaces (APIs) to communicate with and cooperate with other components of the cobbler server102.

In embodiments, once the firmware tool212has been initiated, the cobbler server102can be configured to interact with the firmware tool212, directly, to instruct the firmware tool212and to collect the configuration data214from the firmware tool212. Likewise, the cobbler server102can be configured to operate in conjunction with the network management server215in order to instruct the firmware tool212and to collect configuration data214from the firmware tool212. The cobbler server102can be configured to instruct the network management server215to interact with the firmware tool212and to collect the configuration data214. Once collected, the cobbler server102can be configured to receive the configuration data214from the network management server215.

In embodiments, the firmware tool212can be configured to utilize the translation library213in order to provide the configuration data214in a common format. For example, once the firmware tool212acquires the configuration data form particular firmware, the firmware tool212can apply the appropriate conversion for the particular firmware, from the translation library213, in order to produce the configuration data214in the common format.

In embodiments, once data is collected, the cobbler server102can be configured to store the configuration data214in a firmware record235. The firmware record235can be configured to categorize the configuration data214according to the data that uniquely identifies the target machines205in the network115such as Media Access Control (“MAC”) address, Ethernet Hardware Address (“EHA”), and the like. The firmware record235can be configured to associate the configuration data214of the target machines205with the data that uniquely identifies the target machines205. The cobbler server102can be configured to maintain the firmware record235in the provisioning database120, or any other local or remote storage system.

In embodiments, once the cobbler server102has received the configuration data214and stored the configuration data214in the firmware record235, the cobbler server102can be configured to perform other firmware management processes on the target machines205. For example, the cobbler server102can be configured to utilize the configuration data214in the firmware record235to check the current configuration data of the target machines205.

For instance, in one example, a particular target machine205can experience an error or other event such as an intruder attack. The cobbler server102can be configured to provide the firmware tool212to the particular target machine205and configured to instruct the firmware tool212to collect the current firmware configuration data, as described above. If the current firmware configuration data does not match the configuration data214stored in the firmware record235, the cobbler server102can be configured to instruct the firmware tool212to apply the configuration data214stored in the firmware record235to the particular target machine205. The firmware tool212can be configured to convert the configuration data214, which is stored in the common format, into the specific format that corresponds to the firmware by utilizing the translation library213. Likewise, the firmware tool212can be configured to utilize the translation library213to communicate with the firmware.

In embodiments, for further example, the cobbler server102can be configured to instruct the firmware tool212to perform other firmware management process such as altering the configuration data. For instance, whether directly or via the management server215, the cobbler server102can be configured to provide the firmware tool212to a particular target machine205and configured to instruct the firmware tool212to alter a particular parameter in the configuration data. The cobbler server102can be configured to instruct the firmware tool212by providing a common instruction to alter the parameter and the desired alteration. Once received, the firmware tool212can be configured to convert the common instruction into a specific instruction for the type of the target machine205and provide the specific instruction to the target machine205in order to alter the parameter.

In embodiments as described above, the firmware record235can be generated and populated by the configuration data214received from the firmware tool212. Likewise, the firmware record235can be generated and populated independently of the firmware tool212. For example, an administrator or operator of the network115can generate and populate the records. Whether generated independently or by data from the firmware tool212, the cobbler server102can be configured to provide the identification and the type of the target machines205to the firmware tool212during the management processes to facilitate identifying the target machines205. Likewise, the firmware tool212can be configured to identify the type of target machine205, independently, once initiated on the target machine205.

FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary diagram of hardware and other resources that can be incorporated in a computing system300configured to communicate with the network115, and execute the cobbler server102and the network management server215according to embodiments. In embodiments as shown, the computing system300can comprise a processor302communicating with memory304, such as electronic random access memory, operating under control of or in conjunction with operating system308. Operating system308can be, for example, a distribution of the Linux™ operating system, the Unix™ operating system, or other open-source or proprietary operating system or platform. Processor302also communicates with the provisioning database120, such as a database stored on a local hard drive. While illustrated as a local database in computing system300, the provisioning database120can be separate from the computing system300and the cobbler server102can be configured to communicate with the remote provisioning database120.

Processor302further communicates with network interface306, such as an Ethernet or wireless data connection, which in turn communicates with one or more networks115, such as the Internet or other public or private networks. Processor302also communicates with the provisioning database120, the cobbler server102, and the network management server215, to execute control logic and perform the firmware management processes described above and below.

As illustrated, the cobbler server102can be implemented as a software application or program capable of being executed by a conventional computer platform. Likewise, the cobbler server102can also be implemented as a software module or program module capable of being incorporated in other software applications and programs. In either case, the cobbler server102can be implemented in any type of conventional proprietary or open-source computer language.

As illustrated, the network management server215can be executed in the computing system300. Likewise, the network management server215can be executed in a separate computing system including components similar to computing system300. Accordingly, the computing system300can communicate with the network management server215via the network interface306.

FIG. 4illustrates a flow diagram for firmware management in the provisioning environment200, according to embodiments of the present teachings. In402, the process can begin. In404, the cobbler server102can provide a firmware tool212to a target machine205. The cobbler server102can initiate providing the firmware tool212upon the occurrence of any number of events. For example, the cobbler server102can provide the firmware tool212when a target machine205is added to the network115or new hardware is added to a target machine205. Likewise, the cobbler server102can provide the firmware tool212, periodically, to the target machines205to test the firmware of the target machines205. Additionally, the cobbler server102can provide the firmware tool212in the event an error occurs on the target machines205(hardware/software failure, intruder attack on the target machines205, etc.).

In406, the cobbler server102can instruct the firmware tool212to collect firmware configuration data from the target machine205. For example, the cobbler server102can interact with the firmware tool212, directly, to instruct the firmware tool212and to collect the configuration data214from the firmware tool212. Likewise, the cobbler server102can operate in conjunction with the network management server215in order to instruct the firmware tool212and to collect configuration data214from the firmware tool212. The cobbler server102can instruct the network management server215to interact with the firmware tool212and to collect the configuration data214. Likewise, the cobbler server102or the network management server215can communicate with the power management system of the target machine205in order to power cycle the target machine to initiate the firmware tool212.

The firmware tool212can utilize the translation library213to allow the cobbler server102to communicate with the firmware using common instructions and to provide the configuration data214in a common format. For example, once the firmware tool212acquires the configuration data form particular firmware, the firmware tool212can apply the appropriate conversion for the particular firmware, from the translation library213, in order to produce the configuration data214in the common format.

In408, the cobbler server102can receive the configuration data214from the firmware tool212. For example, the cobbler server102can be receive the configuration data214directly or from the network management server215.

In410, the cobbler server102can store the configuration data214in a firmware record235. For example, the firmware record235can categorize the configuration data214according to the data that uniquely identifies the target machines205in the network115such as Media Access Control (“MAC”) address, Ethernet Hardware Address (“EHA”), and the like. The firmware record235can be associate the configuration data214of the target machines205with the data that uniquely identifies the target machines205.

In412, once the cobbler server102has received the configuration data214and stored the configuration data214in the firmware record235, the cobbler server102can perform additional firmware management on the target machine205. For example, the cobbler server102can utilize the configuration data214in the firmware record235to check the current configuration data of the target machines205. In414, the cobbler server102can provide the previously stored configuration data in firmware record235to the firmware tool212if the received configuration data214differs from the previously stored data in firmware record235.

In416, the process can end, but the process can return to any point and repeat.