Component firmware integration in distributed systems
A plurality of platforms may be defined in a distributed system. Each of the platforms may include a processor and a chipset from a common source on a single motherboard. Extensible firmware interface drivers are provided for the processors and the chipsets. Each of the platforms may be defined pursuant to a system definition model where the system definition model defines the firmware for each of the platforms. As a result, any of the platforms can be updateable from a common source, such as an Internet web site.
1. A method comprising:
using a system definition model to define firmware for a plurality of platforms in a distributed system;
providing extensible firmware interface drivers for processors and chipsets on said platforms; and
accessing, from a common source, errata applicable to different types of platforms.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein accessing involves accessing a web site over the Internet to obtain firmware updates for said platforms.
3. The method of claim 1 including defining said platforms according to the dynamic system initiative.
4. The method of claim 1 including using extensible markup language for said system definition model.
5. The method of claim 1 including providing said processor and chipset on a single motherboard.
6. The method of claim 1 including providing a separate extensible firmware interface driver for said processor and chipset firmware for each platform.
7. A distributed system comprising:
a plurality of platforms each including a processor and a chipset;
extensible firmware interface drivers for each of said processors and chipsets; and
each of said platforms defined, pursuant to a system definition model, said system definition model defining the firmware for each of said platforms.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein said platforms include firmware supplied from different sources that is updateable from a common source.
9. The system of claim 7 wherein said platforms are defined according to the dynamic system initiative.
10. The system of claim 7 wherein said chipset and processor in each platform is formed on a single motherboard.
11. The system of claim 7 including a separate extensible firmware interface driver for the processor and chipset firmware for each platform.