Abstract
Firmware update is an important task for computer systems. Targets of firmware update includes memory (dynamic or non-volatile), FPGAs, ASICs, etc. It is often the case that there are several modules, e.g., NVDIMM modules, on a motherboard that are to be updated with the same firmware. Currently, the firmware is sequentially downloaded to each of the modules. However, sequential download and updation of module firmware is infeasible for systems that have large firmware size and a larger number of modules due to the time required for such update exceeding available maintenance time.
This disclosure describes using a broadcast technique to download firmware. A single host can provide identical firmware to several modules simultaneously. The total firmware download time is reduced by a factor equal to the number of simultaneously addressed modules.
Recommended Citation
N/A, "Fast firmware update using host-to-module broadcast", Technical Disclosure Commons, (November 08, 2017)
https://www.tdcommons.org/dpubs_series/795