Managing a code load

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9329856-B2
Application number	US-201414219082-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 19, 2014
Priority date	Mar 19, 2014
Publication date	May 3, 2016
Grant date	May 3, 2016

Abstract

A method and system for managing a code load for a storage system is disclosed. The method and system can include instantiating a code load. The code load can include a first update for a first component and a second update for a second component. The method and system can include monitoring the operational state of the first and second components in response to instantiating the code load. The method and system can also include determining to perform the first update in response to a triggering event. The method and system can also include performing the first update in response to determining to perform the first update.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computer implemented method for managing a code load for a storage system comprising:
instantiating a code load, the code load including a first firmware update for a storage controller and a second firmware update for an interface adapter;
monitoring, in response to instantiating the code load, a first operational state of the storage controller;
maintaining a resource management database that includes information regarding the operational state of the storage controller, the interface adapter, and other devices in the storage system;
wherein the resource management database contains a respective operational status, a respective serial number, a respective interface card identification number, and a respective power supply identification number for each respective device in the storage system;
wherein the resource management database includes interfaces configured to allow system processes to register a callback function that will be invoked when a respective operational status in the resource management database changes;

determining, in response to a triggering event, to perform the first firmware update, wherein the triggering event comprises a change in the operational state of the storage controller;
performing, in response to determining to perform the first firmware update, the first firmware update;
analyzing, within the same time frame as performing the first firmware update, an operational state of the interface adapter;
writing, in response to the analyzing, a recommended action to take regarding the second firmware update for the interface adapter; and
performing, in response to performing the first firmware update and writing the recommended action, the recommended action to take regarding the second firmware update for the interface adapter.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining to perform the first firmware update further comprises:
analyzing, by an event handler, the triggering event and the operational state of the storage controller to determine a recommended action; and
writing, in a system file, the recommended action regarding the first firmware update.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the event handler is chosen from a plurality of event handlers based on the type of device and the type of the status change event.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein performing the first firmware update further comprises reading the system file, and taking the recommended action.

5. A computer implemented method for managing a code load for a storage controller and an interface adapter of a storage system, the method comprising:
instantiating a code load, the code load including a first firmware update for the storage controller and a second firmware update for the interface adapter;
monitoring, in response to instantiating the code load, the operational state of the storage controller and the interface adapter;
maintaining a resource management database that includes information regarding the operational state of the storage controller, the interface adapter, and other devices in the storage system;
wherein the resource management database contains a respective operational status, a respective serial number, a respective interface card identification number, and a respective power supply identification number for each respective device in the storage system;
wherein the resource management database includes interfaces configured to allow system processes to register a callback function that will be invoked when a respective operational status in the resource management database changes;

determining, in response to a status change event associated with the operational state of the storage controller, to perform the first firmware update; and
performing, within the same time frame as determining to perform the second firmware update, at least the first firmware update in response to determining to perform the first firmware update.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein determining to perform the first firmware update further comprises:
analyzing, by an event handler, of the status change event and the operational state of the storage controller, wherein the event handler can be selected based on the type of the status change event; and
writing, in a system file, a recommended action to take regarding the first firmware update.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
reading the system file, and taking the recommended action.

8. A computer program product for managing a code load of a storage system comprising a storage controller and an interface adapter, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method comprising:
instantiating a code load, the code load including a first firmware update for the storage controller;
monitoring, in response to instantiating the code load, the operational state of the storage controller;
maintaining a resource management database that includes information regarding the operational state of the storage controller, the interface adapter, and other devices in the storage system;
wherein the resource management database contains a respective operational status, a respective serial number, a respective interface card identification number, and a respective power supply identification number for each respective device in the storage system;
wherein the resource management database includes interfaces configured to allow system processes to register a callback function that will be invoked when a respective operational status in the resource management database changes;

determining, in response to a triggering event associated with a change in the operational state of the storage controller, to perform the first firmware update;
performing at least the first firmware update in response to determining to perform the first firmware update;
analyzing, within the same time frame as performing the first firmware update, the operational state of the interface adapter;
writing, in response to the analyzing, a recommended action to take regarding a second firmware update for the interface adapter; and
performing, in response to performing the first firmware update and writing the recommended action, the recommended action to take regarding the second firmware update for the interface adapter.

9. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein determining to perform the first firmware update further comprises;
analyzing, using an event handler, the triggering event and the operational state of the storage controller; and
writing, in a system file, a recommended action to take regarding the first firmware update.

10. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein a different event handler can be used depending on the type of device and the type of status change event.

11. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein performing the code-load further comprises reading the system file, and taking the recommended action.

Assignees

• IBM

Inventors

• Groover Michael P
• Han Robin
• Su Yan
• Tang Wei
• Zhao ming zhi
• Zhou Yi

Classifications

• G06F8/665 Primary

  Physics · mapped topic

• G06F8/65 Primary

  Updates (security arrangements therefor G06F21/57) · CPC title

• G06F9/44505

  Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files · CPC title

• G06F16/22

  Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures · CPC title

• G06F8/654 Primary

  using techniques specially adapted for alterable solid state memories, e.g. for EEPROM or flash memories · CPC title