DYNAMIC UPDATE SYSTEM FOR A REMOTE PHYSICAL DEVICE
A method for updating an embedded device that includes a processor that receives an image file including at least one of kernel software, hardware configuration data, and application software. The embedded device parses the image file to determine portions of the image file that have been indicated by at least one flag as being modified from that currently being included on the embedded device. The embedded device installing at least portions of the image file on the embedded device and resetting portions of the embedded device based upon the at least one flag.
1 . A cable distribution system that includes a head end connected to a plurality of customer devices through a transmission network that includes a remote fiber node that converts digital data to analog data suitable for said plurality of customer devices, where said remote fiber node includes a processor, comprising the steps of:
(a) said remote fiber node receiving an image file including at least one of kernel software, hardware configuration data, and application software;
(b) said remote fiber node parsing said image file to determine portions of said image file that have been indicated by at least one flag as being modified from that currently being included on said remote fiber node;
(c) said remote fiber node installing at least portions of said image file on said remote fiber node and resetting portions of said remote fiber node based upon said at least one flag.
2 . The cable distribution system of claim 1 further comprising said remote fiber node resetting software applications in a control plane.
3 . The cable distribution system of claim 2 further comprising modifying at least one of said software applications as a result of resetting said remote fiber node.
4 . The cable distribution system of claim 1 further comprising modifying said software dataplane as a result of resetting said remote fiber node.
5 . The cable distribution system of claim 1 further comprising said remote fiber node resetting software applications in a software plane.
6 . The cable distribution system of claim 1 further comprising a hard reset of said remote fiber node.
7 . The cable distribution system of claim 1 further comprising a hard reset of said remote fiber node.
8 . The cable distribution system of claim 1 wherein said image file includes kernel software.
9 . The cable distribution system of claim 1 wherein said image file includes hardware configuration data.
10 . The cable distribution system of claim 1 wherein said image file includes application software.
11 . A method for updating an embedded device that includes a processor, comprising the steps of:
(a) said embedded device receiving an image file including at least one of kernel software, hardware configuration data, and application software;
(b) said embedded device parsing said image file to determine portions of said image file that have been indicated by at least one flag as being modified from that currently being included on said embedded device;
(c) said embedded device installing at least portions of said image file on said embedded device and resetting portions of said embedded device based upon said at least one flag.
12 . The embedded device of claim 10 further comprising said embedded device resetting software applications in a control plane.
13 . The embedded device of claim 12 further comprising modifying at least one of said software applications as a result of resetting said embedded device.
14 . The embedded device of claim 11 further comprising modifying said software dataplane as a result of resetting said embedded device.
15 . The embedded device of claim 11 further comprising said embedded device resetting software applications in a software plane.
16 . The embedded device of claim 11 further comprising a hard reset of said embedded device.
17 . The embedded device of claim 11 further comprising a hard reset of said embedded device.
18 . The embedded device of claim 11 wherein said image file includes kernel software.
19 . The embedded device of claim 11 wherein said image file includes hardware configuration data.
20 . The embedded device of claim 11 wherein said image file includes application software.