IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,037,198
Granted Patent B2
US 8,037,198 · App. 12/468,017 · Granted Oct 11, 2011

Firmware upgrade for thin clients using one or more servers

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,037,198
App. No.
12/468,017
Granted
Oct 11, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A process and system for upgrading firmware in a thin client in a network environment. The process may proceed on an automated basis during boot-up by using one or more FTP addresses stored in the thin client. Multiple FTP servers may be accessed. The same firmware upgrades may be stored on more than one FTP server. Different firmware upgrades may instead or in addition be stored on different FTP servers.

Claims (93)

1. A process for upgrading firmware in a thin client, comprising:

sending an FTP request for a first firmware upgrade from the thin client to a first FTP server;

receiving the first firmware upgrade in response at the thin client from the first FTP server;

upgrading firmware in the thin client with the first firmware upgrade;

sending an FTP request for a second firmware upgrade from the thin client to a second FTP server that is different from the first FTP server;

receiving the second firmware upgrade in response at the thin client from the second FTP server; and

upgrading, by a processing system, firmware in the thin client with the second firmware upgrade,

wherein the processing system is hardware,

wherein the process comprises:

reading an address, for the first FTP server, from within the thin client;

reading an address, for the second FTP server, from within the thin client,

wherein the sending an FTP request for a first firmware upgrade to a first FTP server comprises sending an FTP request to the first FTP server at the address for the first FTP server that was read,

wherein the sending an FTP request for a second firmware upgrade to a second FTP server comprises sending the FTP request to the second FTP server at the address for the second FTP server that was read,

wherein the process comprises:

presenting a dialog box to an operator of the thin client;

receiving addresses, for the first FTP server and the second FTP server, entered into the dialog box by the operator,

wherein the receiving addresses comprises receiving addresses over a computer network from a location that is remote from the thin client.

2. The process of claim 1 , further comprising:

sending an FTP request for information about the first firmware upgrade from the thin client to the first FTP server;

receiving the information about the first firmware upgrade in response at the thin client from the first FTP server;

comparing the information about the first firmware upgrade with information about firmware in the thin client,

wherein the upgrading firmware in the thin client with the first firmware upgrade occurs based on the comparing.

3. The process of claim 1 , further comprising:

sending an FTP request for information about the second firmware upgrade from the thin client to the second FTP server;

receiving the information about the second firmware upgrade in response at the thin client from the second FTP server;

comparing the information about the second firmware upgrade with information about firmware in the thin client,

wherein the upgrading firmware in the thin client with the second firmware upgrade occurs based on comparing the information about the second firmware upgrade with information about firmware in the thin client.

4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the first firmware upgrade is different than the second firmware upgrade, and wherein the process is executable automatically by the processing system without operator intervention.

5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the first firmware upgrade comprises an operating system, and the second firmware upgrade comprises an add-on.

6. The process of claim 1 , wherein the sending an FTP request comprises sending a series of FTP requests, wherein each of the series of FTP requests is for a portion of the first firmware upgrade, wherein the receiving the first firmware upgrade comprises receiving sequentially each portion, at a time, of the first firmware upgrade, in response to the corresponding one of the series of FTP requests.

7. A system for upgrading firmware in a thin client, comprising:

storage media comprising instructions executable by a processing system in communication with a network interface, the instructions for performing the following:

sending an FTP request for a first firmware upgrade from the thin client to a first FTP server;

receiving the first firmware upgrade in response at the thin client from the first FTP server;

upgrading firmware in the thin client with the first firmware upgrade;

sending an FTP request for a second firmware upgrade from the thin client to a second FTP server that is different from the first FTP server;

receiving the second firmware upgrade in response at the thin client from the second FTP server; and

upgrading firmware in the thin client with the second firmware upgrade;

the network interface; and

the processing system configured to communicate with the storage media and the network interface and to perform the instructions,

wherein the processing system is hardware,

wherein the instructions are further for:

reading an address, for the first FTP server, from within the thin client;

reading an address, for the second FTP server, from within the thin client,

wherein the sending an FTP request for a first firmware upgrade to a first FTP server comprises sending an FTP request to the first FTP server at the address for the first FTP server that was read,

wherein the sending an FTP request for a second firmware upgrade to a second FTP server comprises sending the FTP request to the second FTP server at the address for the second FTP server that was read,

wherein the instructions are further for:

presenting a dialog box to an operator of the thin client;

receiving addresses, for the first FTP server and the second FTP server, entered into the dialog box by the operator,

wherein receiving addresses comprises receiving addresses over a computer network from a location that is remote from the thin client.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the instructions are further for:

sending an FTP request for information about the first firmware upgrade from the thin client to the first FTP server;

receiving the information about the first firmware upgrade in response at the thin client from the first FTP server;

comparing the information about the first firmware upgrade with information about firmware in the thin client,

wherein the upgrading firmware in the thin client with the first firmware upgrade occurs based on the comparing.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the instructions are further for:

sending an FTP request for information about the second firmware upgrade from the thin client to the second FTP server;

receiving the information about the second firmware upgrade in response at the thin client from the second FTP server;

comparing the information about the second firmware upgrade with information about firmware in the thin client,

wherein the upgrading firmware in the thin client with the second firmware upgrade occurs based on comparing the information about the second firmware upgrade with information about firmware in the thin client.

10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the system comprises the thin client.

11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the first firmware upgrade is different than the second firmware upgrade, and wherein the instructions are executable automatically by the processing system without operator intervention.

12. The system of claim 7 , wherein the first firmware upgrade comprises an operating system, and the second firmware upgrade comprises an add-on.

13. The system of claim 7 , wherein the sending an FTP request comprises sending a series of FTP requests, wherein each of the series of FTP requests is for a portion of the first firmware upgrade, wherein the receiving the first firmware upgrade comprises receiving sequentially each portion, at a time, of the first firmware upgrade, in response to the corresponding one of the series of FTP requests.

14. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media comprising instructions executable by a processing system in communication with a network interface, the instructions for performing the following:

sending an FTP request for a first firmware upgrade from a thin client to a first FTP server;

receiving the first firmware upgrade in response at the thin client from the first FTP server;

upgrading firmware in the thin client with the first firmware upgrade;

sending an FTP request for a second firmware upgrade from the thin client to a second FTP server that is different from the first FTP server;

receiving the second firmware upgrade in response at the thin client from the second FTP server; and

upgrading firmware in the thin client with the second firmware upgrade,

wherein the instructions are further for:

reading an address, for the first FTP server, from within the thin client;

reading an address, for the second FTP server, from within the thin client,

wherein the sending an FTP request for a first firmware upgrade to a first FTP server comprises sending an FTP request to the first FTP server at the address for the first FTP server that was read,

wherein the sending an FTP request for a second firmware upgrade to a second FTP server comprises sending the FTP request to the second FTP server at the address for the second FTP server that was read,

wherein the instructions are further for:

presenting a dialog box to an operator of the thin client;

receiving addresses, for the first FTP server and the second FTP server, entered into the dialog box by the operator,

wherein receiving addresses comprises receiving addresses over a computer network from a location that is remote from the thin client.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 14 , wherein the instructions are further for:

sending an FTP request for information about the first firmware upgrade from the thin client to the first FTP server;

receiving the information about the first firmware upgrade in response at the thin client from the first FTP server;

comparing the information about the first firmware upgrade with information about firmware in the thin client,

wherein the upgrading firmware in the thin client with the first firmware upgrade occurs based on the comparing.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 14 , wherein the instructions are further for:

sending an FTP request for information about the second firmware upgrade from the thin client to the second FTP server;

receiving the information about the second firmware upgrade in response at the thin client from the second FTP server;

comparing the information about the second firmware upgrade with information about firmware in the thin client,

wherein the upgrading firmware in the thin client with the second firmware upgrade occurs based on comparing the information about the second firmware upgrade with information about firmware in the thin client.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 14 , wherein the first firmware upgrade is different than the second firmware upgrade, and wherein the instructions are executable automatically by the processing system without operator intervention.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 14 , wherein the first firmware upgrade comprises an operating system, and the second firmware upgrade comprises an add-on.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 14 , wherein the sending an FTP request comprises sending a series of FTP requests, wherein each of the series of FTP requests is for a portion of the first firmware upgrade, wherein the receiving the first firmware upgrade comprises receiving sequentially each portion, at a time, of the first firmware upgrade, in response to the corresponding one of the series of FTP requests.

Assignments (16)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
MERGER Recorded May 13, 2022
From: WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 060064/0586 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 15, 2013
From: WYSE TECHNOLOGY INC.
To: WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 031645/0051 →