Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present disclosure relates generally to the field of computer systems, and, more particularly, to a system and method for providing a firmware update to a device in a computer system. 
   BACKGROUND 
   As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses continually seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users of information is an information handling system. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
   Many information handling systems include one or more devices that process or operate on the basis of firmware embedded in or near the device. These devices may include hard disk drives, CD-ROM drives, DVD drives, and various other devices that include controllers driven by firmware. Firmware is the program code embedded in a storage device and maintained within or near the device. The firmware for a device most often comprises the operational code for the device. Firmware is often stored in flash memory, which describes a class of memory that is erasable and is able to hold its content without power. From time to time, it may be necessary or desirable to update or upgrade the firmware of a device. A firmware upgrade may be necessary to correct errors in or improve the performance of the device. The process of updating the firmware of a device is sometimes referred to as “flashing” the device, as the firmware update program will replace the software image stored in the flash memory with a second software image. 
   It is difficult, if not impossible in the case of some devices, to perform a firmware update when the operating system of the computer system is operational. In an operating environment, the operating system accounts for and interacts with the devices of the computer system, thereby preventing the real-time update of the firmware of at least some devices of the computer system. Many firmware update techniques involve the step of rebooting the computer system to run a firmware update program, which is often a DOS-based program. The firmware update program is most often initiated by loading a diskette in the diskette drive of the computer system. When the computer system is booted, the boot order rules of the computer system will typically provide that the diskette drive has a higher boot priority than the hard drive of the computer system. When initiated, following a boot of the computer system, the firmware update program identifies the firmware image, loads that image on the device, and initiates another boot of the computer system. Following the second boot of the computer system, the firmware of the device is updated. One difficulty of using a diskette as the source of the firmware update program and the new firmware image is that many computer systems no longer include 3.5″ floppy drives. Although placing the firmware update program and the firmware image on a CD-ROM disk or a DVD disk is an option, it would not be possible both to boot from CD-ROM drive or DVD drive while also updating the firmware of the CD-ROM drive or DVD drive. 
   SUMMARY 
   In accordance with the present disclosure, a system and method for providing a firmware update to a device of a computer system is disclosed in which a firmware update application and a firmware image are provided to a computer system. Verification steps are performed to insure that both the firmware update application and the user are authorized to perform the firmware update process. If the verification steps indicate that both the firmware update application and the user are authorized, a firmware update application may be initiated to cause firmware to be flashed or updated at the target device in place of the existing firmware at the target device. 
   A technical advantage of the present disclosure is that is not dependent on the presence of a floppy diskette drive in the computer system as a vehicle for delivering the firmware update to the computer system. Instead, the firmware is included in a firmware update memory image that additionally includes the self-contained firmware update application and an identifying header. This firmware payload may be provided to the computer system in any form of removable media or may be downloaded from a network, including the Internet as one example. The method provided herein is also advantageous in that includes multiple security levels. The firmware of a target device cannot be updated unless both the firmware update application and, if a user password is implemented, the user itself are authorized by the computer system. 
   Another technical advantage of the computer system is that the firmware update memory image is readily identifiable following the resetting or booting of the computer system. The header of the payload resembles in its data structure a header typical of other data structures that are identified or interrogated by the BIOS at startup. Thus, the header can be readily located without unduly delaying the boot process. Another technical advantage of the present disclosure is that the firmware update payload may contain a Windows™-based application and therefore need not contain a DOS-based application. DOS-based applications are often considered legacy software applications and may, in some cases, be incompatible with more recent operating systems that do not include a DOS execution platform for older applications. Other technical advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following specification, claims, and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of an architecture of a computer system; 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of a firmware update memory image; 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of a first series of steps of a process for updating the firmware of a device of a computer system; 
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of a second series of steps of a process for updating the firmware of a device of a computer system; and 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of a third series of steps of a process for updating the firmware of a device of a computer system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. An information handling system, including a computer system, will typically include a number of devices that include firmware. 
   The architecture of a computer system, which is indicated generally at  17 , is shown in  FIG. 1 . Computer system  17  includes a processor  19 , which is coupled to a memory controller hub (MCH)  21 . Memory controller hub  21  is coupled to a graphics controller  20  and system memory  22 . Memory controller hub  21  is additionally coupled to an I/O controller hub (ICH)  24 , which is coupled to a USB controller  25  and a PCI bus  27 . I/O controller hub  24  is also coupled to BIOS  26 , which is coupled via a communications link to the array controller of power supply array  10 . One of the PCI slots on PCI bus  30  is occupied by a SCSI host bus adapter  30 , which drives a SCSI bus  32 . Coupled to SCSI bus  32  is a CD-ROM drive  34  and a DVD drive  36 . Although the technique disclosed herein may be used to update the firmware of the CD-ROM drive  34  and the DVD drive  36 , it should be recognized that the firmware update technique may also be used to update other devices, such as a hard disk drive, that are not shown in the architecture diagram of  FIG. 1 . 
   As a preliminary step to the process of applying a firmware update to a device of the computer system, the user will save to a memory location in the computer system a firmware update memory image. A diagram of the contents of the firmware update memory image  40  is shown in  FIG. 2 . Firmware update memory image  40  includes a header  41 , a validation string  43 , and a payload  45 . Payload  45  includes a firmware update application  47  and firmware  49 . Header  41  is a data structure header and serves to identify the firmware update memory image. Header  41  may also include data that identifies the size of validation string  43 , firmware update application  47 , and firmware  49 . Firmware update application  47  is executable code that is initiated to load or flash firmware  49  into the target device. Firmware update application  47  may be a stand-alone application that uses only BIOS services to carry out its tasks, or firmware update application  47  may be a bootable image containing a small, self-contained operating system and an executable program that uses services provided by the self-contained operating system to carry out its task. An example of a self-contained operating system that could be used is MS-DOS of Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. 
   The firmware update application  47  may be initiated by a user of the computer system. With respect to  FIG. 3 , once the user initiates firmware update application, the BIOS at step  50  generates a random token (T), which is encrypted at step  52  with a predetermined key E B . The result of the encryption step being represented by the notation E B (T). At step  54 , the unencrypted token is passed to the firmware update application. The firmware update application at step  56  encrypts the token and provides the result, E A (T), to the BIOS. The BIOS performs a comparison function at step  58  to determine whether the result of the encryption of the token at the BIOS matches the result of the encryption at the firmware update application. If it is determined at step  60  that the encryption results are not the same, the firmware update process stops and the failure of the firmware update process is reported. If it is determined at step  60  that the encryption results are the same, it is next determined at step  62  whether an administrative password exists. Steps  50 - 60  of  FIG. 3  comprise a verification step to confirm that the firmware update application has authority to execute a firmware update on the computer system. The BIOS of the computer system controls a master key. The firmware update application must have access to the key to provide a firmware update to any device in the computer system. As such, only those firmware update applications that are approved by the BIOS may perform a firmware update on a device in the computer system. 
   If the encryption results are the same, it is next determined at step  62  whether an administrative password has been established for the computer system. If an administrative password has been established for the computer system, the administrative password will be requested and, if confirmed as correct, used as part of a second encryption step. If an administrative password is not established for the computer system, the flow diagram moves from step  70  to the creation of an administrative password at step  78 . The password that is created at step  78  in place of an actual password will be a predetermined null value, which may comprise, as just one example, all zeros. If it is determined at step  70  that an administrative password is in place for the computer system, the user is prompted to enter the password at step  72  and the password is transmitted to the BIOS for verification (step  74 ). If the attempted password match fails at step  76 , the firmware update process continues at step  80 , where the user is permitted to enter a password authentication loop for the purpose of retrying the password authentication step. Following a number of failed attempts, the password authentication loop will time out and the firmware update process will be terminated. 
   If the user enters the correct administrative password, a second token is provided to the firmware update application at step  82 . At step  84 , an encryption key is created by appending the administrative password to the second token. As such, step  84  involves the creation of an encryption key by combining the administrative password with a token provided by the BIOS. The step of creating an encryption key that combines the administrative password and a second token is not limited to a technique of appending the administrative password to the second token. Rather, any data manipulation technique that combines the content of the administrative key with the content of the second token is suitable. If there is not an administrative password, the substituted password having a null value is combined with the second token to create the encryption key. At step  86 , validation string  43 , which is shown in  FIG. 2 , is encrypted with the encryption key that was created in step  84 . At step  88 , the firmware update available flag is set to yes or true. At step  90 , the system is booted. 
   Shown in  FIG. 5  are a series of method steps that are implemented following a boot of the computer system. At step  100 , the boot of the system is initiated and, at step  102 , the boot program checks the firmware update available flag. If it is determined at step  104  that this flag is set to no or false, the boot of the system continues without further interruption for firmware updates at step  106 . If the firmware update available flat is set to yes or true, the header of the payload is located in memory. The header serves as an identifier for the payload. At step  110 , the validation string  43  of the firmware update memory image is decrypted with the encryption key that was created at step  84  of  FIG. 2 . Following the decryption of the validation string, the firmware update available flag is cleared at step  112  and the firmware update application  47  begins executing, beginning with an entry point of the application. The execution of the firmware update application  47  results in firmware  49  of the payload being saved to the target device as an update to the existing firmware of the target device. At step  114 , the boot of the system continues. 
   The technique described in this disclosure is not limited in its application to firmware update utilities. Rather, the technique disclosed herein may be used to execute any number of low level software programs. The use of a dual-encryption system can be used to encrypt and then decrypt at startup any type of software program that is included within a payload. It should also be understood that the system and method disclosed herein is not limited to the precise architecture disclosed in the figures of the present disclosure. It should also be understood that the system and method disclosed herein is not limited in its application to updating the firmware of a specific device. Rather, the system and method disclosed herein may be used to update the firmware of any number of devices. Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 3