IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,061,596
Granted Patent B2
US 10,061,596 · App. 14/796,096 · Granted Aug 28, 2018

Systems and methods for loading firmware modules

Inventors: Sundar Dasar (Round Rock, TX); Yogesh Prabhakar Kulkarni (Round Rock, TX); Vigneswaran Ponnusamy (Round Rock, TX); Sumanth Vidyadhara (Bangalore, IN); Jon Robert Hass (Austin, TX); Elie Antoun Jreij (Pflugerville, TX)
Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
G06F9/4416G06F8/654G06F9/4411G06F13/4282G06F8/64
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,061,596
App. No.
14/796,096
Filed
Jul 10, 2015
Granted
Aug 28, 2018
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2118
USPC
713/322
Abstract

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include during boot of the information handling system, in response to one of a system management request received by a management controller or user input indicative of a task received during boot, downloading, by a basic input/output system (BIOS), from a network database communicatively coupled to the network interface, one or more executable modules for completing a system management request or a task. The method may also include executing the one or more downloaded modules.

Claims (41)

1. An information handling system comprising:

a processor;

a memory communicatively coupled to the processor;

a management controller communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to provide out-of-band management of the information handling system;

a network interface communicatively coupled to the processor; and

a basic input/output system (BIOS) comprising a program of instructions executable by the processor and configured to cause the processor to initialize one or more information handling resources of the information handling system, and further configured to:

during boot of the information handling system, in response to at least one of a system management request received by the management controller or user input indicative of a task received during boot, download from a network database communicatively coupled to the network interface executable modules for completing the system management request or the task, wherein the executable modules include lifecycle controller code configured to, in concert with the management controller, provide out-of-band management of the information handling system, wherein the executable modules include at least a security executable module configured to authenticate other ones of the executable modules and an inventory executable module configured to determine which executable modules are needed; and

execute the downloaded modules.

2. The information handling system of claim 1 , wherein the system management request or the task comprises one of a request to update a configuration of the information handling system and request to update firmware of the information handling system.

3. The information handling system of claim 1 , the management controller further configured to:

receive the system management request;

download from the network database the executable modules for completing the system management request; and

store the executable modules in a portion of the memory dedicated to the management controller.

4. The information handling system of claim 3 , wherein the portion of memory comprises a RAM drive.

5. The information handling system of claim 1 , the BIOS further configured to:

store the lifecycle controller code in a portion of the memory dedicated to the management controller.

6. The information handling system of claim 5 , wherein the portion of memory comprises a RAM drive.

7. The information handling system of claim 1 , wherein the BIOS comprises a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface.

8. A method comprising:

during boot of an information handling system, in response to at least one of a system management request received by a management controller or user input indicative of a task received during boot, downloading, by a basic input/output system (BIOS), from a network database communicatively coupled to a network interface, executable modules for completing the system management request or the task, wherein the executable modules include lifecycle controller code configured to, in concert with the management controller, provide out-of-band management of the information handling system, wherein the executable modules include at least a security executable module configured to authenticate other ones of the executable modules and an inventory executable module configured to determine which executable modules are needed; and

executing the downloaded modules.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the system management request or the task comprises one of a request to update a configuration of the information handling system and an update to firmware of the information handling system.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

receiving, by the management controller, the system management request;

downloading, by the management controller, from the network database, the executable modules for completing the system management request; and

storing, by the management controller, the executable modules in a portion of memory dedicated to the management controller.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the portion of memory comprises a RAM drive.

12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

storing, by the BIOS, the lifecycle controller code in a portion of memory dedicated to the management controller.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the portion of memory comprises a RAM drive.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the BIOS comprises a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface.

15. An article of manufacture comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium; and

computer-executable instructions carried on the computer-readable medium, the instructions readable by a processor, the instructions, when read and executed, for causing the processor to:

during boot of an information handling system, in response to at least one of a system management request received by a management controller or user input indicative of a task received during boot, download, by a basic input/output system (BIOS), from a network database communicatively coupled to the network interface executable modules for completing the system management request or the task, wherein the executable modules include lifecycle controller code configured to, in concert with the management controller, provide out-of-band management of the information handling system, wherein the executable modules include at least a security executable module configured to authenticate other ones of the executable modules and an inventory executable module configured to determine which executable modules are needed; and

execute the downloaded modules.

16. The article of claim 15 , wherein the system management request or the task comprises one of a request to update a configuration of the information handling system and update firmware of the information handling system.

17. The article of claim 15 , the instructions for further causing the processor to:

store the lifecycle controller code in a portion of memory dedicated to the management controller.

18. The article of claim 17 , wherein the portion of memory comprises a RAM drive.

19. The article of claim 15 , wherein the BIOS comprises a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface.

Assignments (15)
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 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.); 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.); 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 →
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 REEL 036502 FRAME 0291 (NOTE) Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040027/0637 →
RELEASE OF REEL 036502 FRAME 0237 (TL) Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040028/0088 →
RELEASE OF REEL 036502 FRAME 0206 (ABL) Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040017/0204 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Aug 27, 2015
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 036502/0206 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Aug 27, 2015
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036502/0291 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Aug 27, 2015
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036502/0237 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 10, 2015
From: DASAR, SUNDAR; KULKARNI, YOGESH PRABHAKAR; PONNUSAMY, VIGNESWARAN; VIDYADHARA, SUMANTH; HASS, JON ROBERT; JREIJ, ELIE ANTOUN
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 036056/0965 →
Continuity (1)
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