JP2018116549A - Firmware management device, computer device, computer system, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To collectively update the firmware of a plurality of computer devices comprising various models, without requiring special environment construction.SOLUTION: Provided is a firmware management device comprising: an update information storage unit 101; an instruction information input unit 102; a device model information receiving unit 103 for receiving device model information pertaining to other computer devices from each of other firmware management devices in response to input of instruction information to the instruction information input unit 102; an update information acquisition unit 104 for acquiring update information for the local computer device from an external device in which firmware update information for each model is stored and storing it in the update information storage unit 101, as well as acquiring update information for other computer devices from the external device on the basis of the device model information pertaining to each of the other computer devices; and an update information transmission unit 105 for transmitting the update information for the other computer devices to each of the other firmware management devices.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for updating firmware of a computer device.

  A technique for updating firmware of a plurality of computer devices at once is known.

  For example, the related technology described in Patent Document 1 distributes update information for updating a system from a distribution computer to an update target computer. Then, the distribution computer transmits an instruction command for instructing execution of the update information to the update target computer. When the update target computer receives the update information and receives the instruction command, the update target computer executes the update information to update the system.

  In the related technology described in Patent Document 2, one of the plurality of electronic devices downloads a firmware update file generator from an external server. Then, the electronic device generates an update file using the downloaded firmware update file generator. Then, the electronic device transmits the update file to a plurality of other electronic devices. Each electronic device updates the firmware using the update file.

  Moreover, in the related technique described in Patent Document 3, each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses has a management processor. Then, when any one of the management processors acquires the firmware update data from the external device, the management processor stores the acquired update data and updates the firmware of the own device. Then, the management processor transmits update data to the adjacent information processing apparatus. Then, the management processor of each information processing apparatus repeatedly stores the received update data, updates its own firmware, and transmits the update data to the adjacent information processing apparatus.

JP 2002-175188 A JP 2009-530694 A JP 2014-146216 A

  However, the related art described above has the following problems.

  For example, the related technology described in Patent Document 1 requires a distribution computer in addition to a plurality of computer devices to be updated. Further, the related technique described in Patent Document 2 requires an external server as a download destination of the firmware update file generator. The related art described in Patent Document 3 requires that the management processors of the information processing apparatuses be connected in a daisy chain. As described above, these related technologies have a problem in that it takes work cost and equipment cost to construct an environment.

  Moreover, the related technique described in Patent Document 1 distributes the same update information to a plurality of computer devices. Moreover, the related technique described in Patent Document 2 transmits the same update file to each of a plurality of computer devices. In the related art described in Patent Document 3, a plurality of information processing apparatuses receive the same update data from adjacent information processing apparatuses.

  However, a plurality of computer devices are not necessarily the same model, and it is not always possible to update firmware using the same information. Here, the model represents a combination of the hardware configuration and the software configuration of the apparatus. Therefore, it is difficult to update the firmware of a plurality of computer devices having various models at once using this related technology.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for collectively updating firmware of a plurality of computer devices having various models without requiring special environment construction.

  A firmware management apparatus according to the present invention updates an update information storage unit defined as a storage location of update information used when updating firmware by the own computer device, which is a computer device on which the own device is mounted, and updates the firmware. Instruction information input means for acquiring instruction information representing an instruction as an input, and each of the other firmware management apparatuses connected to the own apparatus via a network according to the acquisition of the instruction information. From the device model information receiving means for receiving device model information related to a model of another computer device by requesting each of the other firmware management devices, and from the external device storing firmware update information for each model, the own computer Each of the other computer apparatuses received by the apparatus model information receiving means from the external device while acquiring the update information for the own computer apparatus based on the model of the device and storing it in the update information storage means Update information acquisition means for acquiring the update information for the other computer device based on the device model information, and the other firmware installed in the other computer device for the update information for each of the other computer devices. Update information transmitting means for transmitting to the management device.

  Another firmware management apparatus of the present invention is the other firmware management apparatus connected to the firmware management apparatus described above, and the storage location of the update information used when the firmware is updated by the other computer apparatus Update information storage means defined as: device model information transmission means for transmitting the device model information of the other computer device to a request source in response to a request from the firmware management device; and for the other computer device Update information receiving means for storing the received update information in the update information storage means when the update information is received from the firmware management apparatus described above.

  Still another firmware management apparatus of the present invention includes the above-described firmware management apparatus and the above-described other firmware management apparatus.

  The computer apparatus of the present invention includes any one of the firmware management apparatuses described above and firmware update means for updating the firmware of the own apparatus using the update information stored in the update information storage means.

  The computer system of the present invention includes a plurality of the above-described computer devices, and the management device included in any one of the computer devices includes the update information storage unit, the instruction information input unit, and the device model information receiving unit. And the update information acquisition means, the update information transmission means, and the management device included in each of the other computer devices includes the update information storage means, the device model information transmission means, and the update information. Receiving means.

  In addition, when the firmware management apparatus acquires instruction information representing an instruction to update firmware as an input, the method of the present invention is a computer on which each other firmware management apparatus connected to the own apparatus via the network is mounted. Device model information related to a model of another computer device that is a device is received by requesting each other firmware management device, and the own device is mounted from an external device that stores firmware update information for each model Based on the model of the local computer device which is a computer device, the update information for the local computer device is acquired, and the acquired update information is used to store the update information used when updating the firmware by the local computer device The update information is stored in update information storage means determined as a location, and the update information for the other computer device is obtained from the external device based on the device model information of each other computer device, and for each other computer device The update information is transmitted to the other firmware management apparatus mounted on the other computer apparatus.

  In addition, according to another method of the present invention, when one of the firmware management apparatuses mounted on each of a plurality of computer apparatuses acquires instruction information representing an instruction to update firmware as an input, it is connected to the own apparatus via a network. The other firmware management device is requested to request device model information related to the model of the other computer device, which is a computer device on which each other firmware management device is mounted, and the other firmware management device sends the other computer. The own computer apparatus which transmits the apparatus model information of the apparatus to the request source, and the firmware management apparatus of the request source is a computer apparatus in which the own apparatus is mounted from an external device storing firmware update information for each model Based on the model of Acquiring the update information for a computer device, storing the acquired update information in an update information storage means defined as a storage location of update information used when updating firmware by the computer device, and the external device From the device model information of each other computer device, the update information for the other computer device is acquired, and the update information for each other computer device is installed in the other computer device. Update information defined as a storage location of update information used when each of the other firmware management apparatuses receives the update information received by the other computer apparatus and updates the firmware. It is stored in the storage means.

  Further, the program of the present invention includes an instruction information input step for acquiring instruction information representing an instruction to update firmware as an input, and a computer on which each other firmware management apparatus connected to the own apparatus via a network is mounted. A device model information receiving step for receiving device model information related to a model of another computer device, which is a device, by requesting each other firmware management device, and an external device storing firmware update information for each model, The update information for the own computer device is acquired based on the model of the own computer device that is the computer device on which the own device is mounted, and the acquired update information is used when the firmware is updated by the own computer device. Update information that is stored in update information storage means that is defined as a storage location for the update information, and that obtains the update information for the other computer device from the external device based on device model information of each other computer device The firmware management apparatus executes an information acquisition step and an update information transmission step of transmitting the update information for each of the other computer devices to the other firmware management device mounted on the other computer device.

  Further, another program of the present invention includes a device model information transmission step of transmitting the device model information of the other computer device to a request source in response to a request from a firmware management device that executes the above-described program, and the other When the update information for the computer device is received from the firmware management device that executes the above-described program, the received update information is determined as a storage location of the update information used when the firmware is updated by the other computer device. The update information receiving step stored in the update information storage means is executed by the other firmware management apparatus.

  The present invention can provide a technique for collectively updating firmware of a plurality of computer apparatuses having various models without requiring special environment construction.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a firmware management apparatus as a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a firmware management apparatus as the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the firmware management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the firmware management apparatus as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the firmware management apparatus as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the firmware management apparatus as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the firmware management apparatus as the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the computer apparatus as the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the computer apparatus as the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the computer apparatus as the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the computer apparatus as another aspect of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the computer apparatus as another aspect of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the computer system as the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the computer system as the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the computer system as the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the firmware management apparatus in the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the firmware management apparatus in the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the computer system as the 6th Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a functional block configuration of the firmware management apparatus 100 as the first embodiment of the present invention. 1, the firmware management apparatus 100 includes an update information storage unit 101, an instruction information input unit 102, a device model information reception unit 103, an update information acquisition unit 104, and an update information transmission unit 105.

  Here, the firmware management apparatus 100 is an apparatus mounted on a computer apparatus. For example, the firmware management apparatus 100 may be realized as a BMC (Basic Management Controller) mounted on a computer apparatus. The firmware management apparatus 100 is communicably connected to another firmware management apparatus mounted on another computer apparatus via a network. The network that connects between the firmware management apparatus 100 and another firmware management apparatus may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or another network.

  The other firmware management apparatus only needs to have a function of storing update information received via the network for firmware update by the other computer apparatus.

  Here, the firmware management apparatus 100 can be configured by hardware elements as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the firmware management apparatus 100 includes a processor 1001, a memory 1002, an external device connection interface 1003, and a network interface 1004. In addition, the firmware management apparatus 100 is connected to a computer device on which the firmware management apparatus 100 is mounted via a bus 1005. The memory 1002 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The external device connection interface 1003 is an interface for connecting to an external device. The network interface 1004 is an interface connected to a network that can communicate with other firmware management apparatuses.

  In this case, the update information storage unit 101 is configured by the memory 1002. The instruction information input unit 102, the device model information receiving unit 103, and the update information transmitting unit 105 are configured by a network interface 1004 and a processor 1001 that reads and executes a computer program stored in the memory 1002. The update information acquisition unit 104 includes an external device connection interface 1003 and a processor 1001 that reads and executes a computer program stored in the memory 1002. Note that the hardware configuration of the firmware management apparatus 100 and each functional block thereof is not limited to the above-described configuration.

  Next, details of each functional block will be described.

  The update information storage unit 101 is a storage area in which update information for updating firmware can be stored. The update information storage unit 101 is defined as a storage location of update information that is used when firmware is updated by a computer device on which the device itself is mounted. The firmware may be, for example, a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) of a computer device on which the firmware management apparatus 100 is mounted.

  The instruction information input unit 102 acquires instruction information representing an instruction to update firmware as an input.

  In response to the acquisition of the instruction information, the device model information receiving unit 103 requests device model information relating to the model of the other computer device from each of the other firmware management devices connected to the device via the network. Here, the other computer device refers to a computer device on which another firmware management device is mounted. Then, the device model information receiving unit 103 receives device model information of another computer device returned from each other firmware management device.

  The computer device model represents a combination of the hardware configuration and software configuration of the computer device. The device model information includes at least information for identifying a model of the computer device.

  The update information acquisition unit 104 acquires update information for the local computer device from an external device based on the model of the local computer device, and stores the update information in the update information storage unit 101. Here, the self computer device refers to a computer device on which the self device is mounted. Further, the update information acquisition unit 104 acquires update information for another computer apparatus from an external device based on the apparatus model information of the other computer apparatus.

  Here, it is assumed that firmware update information for each model is stored in the external device. For example, the update information acquisition unit 104 stores device model information of its own computer device in the memory 1002 or the like in advance. Then, when the external device is connected to the own device, the update information acquisition unit 104 mounts the external device on the file system of the own device. Then, the update information acquisition unit 104 may search and acquire the update information for the model indicated by the stored device model information from the external device. Further, the update information acquisition unit 104 may search for and acquire update information for a model indicated by the apparatus model information from an external device based on the apparatus model information of the other computer apparatus received from another firmware management apparatus. Good.

  As an external device, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) storage device can be applied, but is not limited thereto.

  The update information transmission unit 105 transmits the update information for the other computer device acquired by the update information acquisition unit 104 to another firmware management device mounted on the other computer device.

  The operation of the firmware management apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 3, first, the instruction information input unit 102 acquires the instruction information as an input (step A1).

  For example, the instruction information input unit 102 may receive instruction information input from a device connected via a network. Alternatively, the instruction information input unit 102 may acquire instruction information input from a console (not shown).

  Next, the update information acquisition unit 104 connects to an external device (step A2). For example, as described above, the update information acquisition unit 104 mounts the connected external device on its own file system.

  Next, the update information acquisition unit 104 acquires update information for the local computer device from an external device based on the model of the local computer device, and stores it in the update information storage unit 101 (step A3).

  At this time, if the previous update information is stored in the update information storage unit 101, the update information acquisition unit 104 may store the update information acquired this time after deleting the previous update information.

  Next, the device model information receiving unit 103 transmits information requesting device model information of another computer device to each of the other firmware management devices (step A4).

  For example, the device model information receiving unit 103 may broadcast information requesting device model information of another computer device.

  Next, the device model information receiving unit 103 receives device model information of other computer devices from other firmware management devices (step A5).

  Next, the update information acquisition unit 104 acquires update information for other computer devices from an external device based on the device model information of each other computer device (step A6).

  Next, the update information transmission unit 105 transmits the update information for each other computer device to the firmware management device mounted on the other computer device (step A7).

  Thus, the firmware management apparatus 100 ends the operation.

  Next, effects of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The firmware management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention can update the firmware of a plurality of computer apparatuses composed of various models at once without requiring special environment construction.

  The reason will be described. The firmware management apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an update information storage unit that is defined as a storage location of update information that is used when the firmware is updated by its own computer apparatus. Then, the instruction information input unit acquires instruction information for updating the firmware as an input. Then, the device model information receiving unit requests each other firmware management device for device model information related to the model of the other computer device on which each other firmware management device connected to the own device via the network is mounted. To receive. Then, the update information acquisition unit acquires the update information for the own computer device based on the model of the own computer device from the external device storing the update information of the firmware for each model, and stores it in the update information storage unit . In addition, the update information acquisition unit acquires update information for the other computer apparatus from the external device based on the apparatus model information of the other computer apparatus. This is because the update information transmission unit transmits the update information for each other computer device to another firmware management device mounted on the other computer device.

  As a result, each of the other firmware management apparatuses connected to the firmware management apparatus of the present embodiment via the network can acquire update information suitable for the model of the other computer apparatus. Thus, this embodiment does not require a special distribution computer or an external server. In this embodiment, if an external device storing update information for various models is connected and instruction information is input, a plurality of computers each equipped with its own device and another firmware management device Device firmware can be updated at once.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, in each drawing referred to in the description of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configuration and steps that operate in the same manner as in the first embodiment of the present invention, and the detailed description in the present embodiment. Description is omitted.

  First, FIG. 4 shows a functional block configuration of the firmware management apparatus 200 as the second embodiment of the present invention. 4, the firmware management apparatus 200 includes an update information storage unit 201, a device model information transmission unit 206, and an update information reception unit 207. The firmware management apparatus 200 is connected to the firmware management apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention via a network.

  Here, the firmware management apparatus 200 can be configured by hardware elements as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the firmware management apparatus 200 includes a processor 2001, a memory 2002, and a network interface 2004. The firmware management apparatus 200 is connected to a computer device on which the firmware management apparatus 200 is mounted via a bus 2005. The memory 2002 is configured by a RAM, a ROM, or the like. The network interface 2004 is an interface connected to a network capable of communicating with the firmware management apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  For example, the update information storage unit 201 is configured by the memory 2002. The device model information transmission unit 206 and the update information reception unit 207 are configured by a network interface 2004 and a processor 2001 that reads and executes a computer program stored in the memory 2002. Note that the hardware configuration of the firmware management apparatus 200 and each functional block thereof is not limited to the above-described configuration.

  Next, details of each functional block will be described.

  The update information storage unit 201 is an area in which update information for updating firmware can be stored. The update information storage unit 101 is defined as a storage location of update information used when the firmware is updated by a computer device on which the firmware management apparatus 200 is mounted.

  The device model information transmission unit 206 transmits the device model information of the computer device on which the firmware management device 200 is mounted to the request source in response to a request from the firmware management device 100. It is assumed that the device model information of the computer device on which the firmware management device 200 is mounted is stored in the memory 2002 in advance.

  The update information receiving unit 207 receives update information for the computer apparatus on which the firmware management apparatus 200 is mounted from the firmware management apparatus 100. Then, the update information reception unit 207 stores the received update information in the update information storage unit 201.

  Note that the update information receiving unit 207 may transmit information indicating that update information has been received to the firmware management apparatus 100 that is the source of the update information.

  The operation of the firmware management apparatus 200 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 6, first, the device model information transmission unit 206 receives information requesting device model information from the firmware management device 100 (step B1).

  For example, the device model information transmission unit 206 may receive information requesting broadcast device model information.

  Next, in response to the received request, the device model information transmission unit 206 transmits the device model information to the firmware management device 100 that is the request source (step B2).

  Next, the update information receiving unit 207 receives update information from the firmware management apparatus 100 (step B3).

  Next, the update information receiving unit 207 stores the received update information in the update information storage unit 201 (step B4).

  Thus, the firmware management apparatus 200 ends the operation.

  Next, the effect of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The firmware management apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention acquires update information suitable for the model of the computer device on which the device is installed when the firmware of a plurality of computer devices is updated at once. be able to.

  The reason will be described. The firmware management apparatus according to the present embodiment is connected to the firmware management apparatus as the first embodiment of the present invention. The firmware management apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an update information storage unit that is defined as a storage location of update information that is used when the firmware is updated by a computer apparatus on which the apparatus is installed. Then, the device model information transmission unit transmits the device model information of the computer device on which the device model information is mounted to the request source in response to a request from the firmware management device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Then, the update information receiving unit receives the update information for the computer apparatus on which the own apparatus is mounted from the firmware management apparatus as the first embodiment of the present invention. This is because the update information reception unit stores the received update information in the update information storage unit.

  As described above, the firmware management apparatus according to the present embodiment transmits the apparatus model information of the own apparatus to the firmware management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, so that the computer on which the own apparatus is mounted. Update information suitable for the device model can be acquired.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, in each drawing referred to in the description of the present embodiment, the same configurations and steps that operate in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the present embodiment. The detailed description in is omitted.

  First, FIG. 7 shows a functional block configuration of a firmware management apparatus 300 as the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the firmware management apparatus 300 includes functional blocks of the firmware management apparatus 100 as the first embodiment of the present invention and functional blocks of the firmware management apparatus 200 as the second embodiment of the present invention. Including. However, since the update information storage unit 201 is the same functional block as the update information storage unit 101, it is omitted. That is, the firmware management apparatus 300 includes an update information storage unit 101, an instruction information input unit 102, a device model information reception unit 103, an update information acquisition unit 104, and an update information transmission unit 105. The firmware management apparatus 300 includes a device model information transmission unit 206 and an update information reception unit 207.

  The firmware management apparatus 300 is connected to be communicable with other firmware management apparatuses 300. The firmware management apparatus 300 can be configured by hardware elements similar to those of the first embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG.

  Each functional block is configured as described in the first or second embodiment of the present invention.

  Further, when an external device is connected to its own apparatus and instruction information is input, the firmware management apparatus 300 operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment of the present invention as described with reference to FIG. To do. When the firmware management apparatus 300 receives update information from another firmware management apparatus 300, the firmware management apparatus 300 operates in the same manner as in the second embodiment of the present invention as described with reference to FIG.

  Next, effects of the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The firmware management apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention can update the firmware of a plurality of computer apparatuses composed of various models at once without requiring special environment construction.

  The reason will be described. The firmware management apparatus as the present embodiment has the configuration of the firmware management apparatus as the first embodiment of the present invention and the configuration of the firmware management apparatus as the second embodiment of the present invention. Because. Therefore, the present embodiment is installed in each of a plurality of computer devices, and the instruction information is input to one of the firmware management devices and an external device is connected, so that the firmware of the plurality of computer devices is collectively collected. Can be updated.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a computer apparatus equipped with the firmware management apparatus of the present invention will be described. Note that, in each drawing referred to in the description of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configuration and steps that operate in the same manner as in the first to third embodiments of the present invention. The detailed description in is omitted.

  First, FIG. 8 shows a functional block configuration of a computer apparatus 430 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, a computer device 430 includes a firmware management apparatus 300 as a third embodiment of the present invention and a firmware update unit 401. In addition, the firmware management apparatus 300 mounted on the computer apparatus 430 is connected to be communicable with the firmware management apparatus 300 mounted on the other computer apparatus 430.

  Here, an example of a hardware configuration of the computer apparatus 430 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, a computer device 430 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 4001, a memory 4002, and the same hardware elements as those of the first embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG. Is possible. The memory 4002 is configured by a RAM, a ROM, or the like. The memory 4002 stores a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) as firmware. In this case, the firmware update unit 401 is configured by the CPU 4001 that executes the BIOS stored in the memory 4002. Note that the hardware configuration of the computer device 430 and each functional block thereof is not limited to the above-described configuration.

  Next, details of the functional block will be described.

  The firmware update unit 401 uses the update information stored in the update information storage unit 101 of the firmware management apparatus 300 to update its own firmware. Specifically, if the update information is stored in the update information storage unit 101 when the computer apparatus 430 is activated, the firmware update unit 401 uses the update information to update the firmware.

  Note that the firmware update unit 401 may consider the version information of the update information stored in the update information storage unit 101. In this case, the firmware update unit 401 may perform the update when the version information of the update information stored in the update information storage unit 101 is newer than the version information of the firmware installed in the own device. In addition, the firmware update unit 401 may not perform the update if the version information of the update information stored in the update information storage unit 101 is the same as or older than the version information of the firmware installed in the own device.

  The operation of the computer apparatus 430 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the operation of the firmware management apparatus 300 included in the computer apparatus 430 is the same as that described in the third embodiment of the present invention, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Here, the operation of the firmware update unit 401 will be described.

  In FIG. 10, first, the firmware update unit 401 checks whether update information is stored in the update information storage unit 101 of the firmware management apparatus 300 (step C1).

  As described above, the firmware update unit 401 may confirm whether or not update information of a version newer than the firmware version of its own device is stored.

  Here, when update information is not stored, the firmware update unit 401 activates the firmware without performing the update (step C3).

  On the other hand, when update information is stored, the firmware update unit 401 updates the firmware using the update information (step C2). Then, the firmware update unit 401 activates the firmware (step C3).

  Thus, the computer apparatus 430 ends the operation.

  Note that FIG. 11 illustrates a computer apparatus 410 as another aspect of this embodiment. In FIG. 11, a computer device 410 includes a firmware management apparatus 100 as a first embodiment of the present invention and a firmware update unit 401. The configuration and operation of the computer device 410 are substantially the same as the configuration and operation of the computer device 430. However, the operation of the firmware management apparatus 100 included in the computer apparatus 410 is as described in the first embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the firmware management apparatus 100 included in the computer apparatus 410 is connected to be able to communicate with the firmware management apparatus 200 or the firmware management apparatus 300 mounted on another computer apparatus.

  In addition, FIG. 12 illustrates a computer apparatus 420 as another aspect of the present embodiment. In FIG. 12, a computer apparatus 420 includes a firmware management apparatus 200 and a firmware update unit 401 as the second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration and operation of the computer device 420 are substantially the same as the configuration and operation of the computer device 430. However, the operation of the firmware management apparatus 200 included in the computer apparatus 420 is as described in the second embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the firmware management apparatus 200 included in the computer apparatus 420 is connected to be communicable with the firmware management apparatus 100 or the firmware management apparatus 300 mounted on another computer apparatus.

  Next, effects of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The computer apparatus as the fourth embodiment of the present invention can update the firmware of its own apparatus together with other computer apparatuses as one of a plurality of computer apparatuses of various models.

  The reason will be described. The present embodiment includes any one of the firmware management apparatuses as the first to third embodiments of the present invention, and the firmware management apparatus can communicate with other firmware management apparatuses included in other computer apparatuses. It is connected to the. Then, when the firmware management apparatus is configured and operated as described in the first to third embodiments of the present invention, the update information is stored in the update information storage unit. This is because the firmware update unit updates the firmware using the update information stored in the update information storage unit.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a computer system composed of a plurality of computer devices each equipped with the firmware management device of the present invention will be described. In each drawing referred to in the description of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configuration and steps that operate in the same manner as in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention. The detailed description in is omitted.

  First, FIG. 13 shows the configuration of a computer system 5 as a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 13, a computer system 5 includes a plurality of computer apparatuses 430 as a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Each computer device 430 is also referred to as a computer device 430-i (i = 1 to n). However, n is an integer of 2 or more. In addition, the firmware management apparatus 300 mounted on the computer apparatus 430-i is also referred to as a firmware management apparatus 300-i. The firmware management apparatuses 300-i are connected so as to be communicable with each other via a network.

  The computer device 430-i is the same in that it includes the firmware management device 300 and the firmware update unit 401, but the model is not necessarily the same as the others. That is, the model of the computer device 430-i may be the same as or different from the model of the other computer device 430-j (j = 1 to n, i ≠ j).

  The configuration and operation of the computer device 430-i are as described in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The configuration and operation of the firmware management apparatus 300-i are as described in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the computer system 5 is shown in the sequence diagram of FIG.

  In FIG. 14, it is assumed that instruction information is input to the firmware management apparatus 300-1 and an external device is connected. Further, each function block included in the firmware management apparatus 300-i is appended with a character string “-i” after the reference number to indicate that the function block is included in the firmware management apparatus 300-i. Shall.

  First, in the firmware management apparatus 300-1, the instruction information input unit 102-1 acquires instruction information as an input (step A1).

  Next, the update information acquisition unit 104-1 connects to an external device (step A2). Then, the update information acquisition unit 104-1 acquires update information for the computer device 430-1 on which the update device is installed from an external device, and stores the update information in the update information storage unit 101-1 (step A3).

  Next, the device model information receiving unit 103-1 transmits information requesting device model information to each of the other firmware management devices 300-i (i = 2 to n) (step A4).

  Next, in the firmware management apparatus 300-i (i = 2 to n), the apparatus model information transmission unit 206-i receives information requesting apparatus model information (step B1).

  The device model information transmission unit 206-i transmits the device model information of the computer device 430-i on which the device model information transmission unit 206-i is mounted to the firmware management device 300-1 that is the request source (step B2).

  Next, in the firmware management apparatus 300-1, the apparatus model information receiving unit 103-1 receives the apparatus model information of the computer apparatus 430-i from each of the other firmware management apparatuses 300-i (i = 2 to n). (Step A5).

  Next, the update information acquisition unit 104-1 refers to the device model information received in step A5, and acquires update information for the computer device 430-i (i = 2 to n) from the external device (step A6). ).

  Next, the update information transmission unit 105-1 transmits update information for the computer device 430-i to the firmware management device 300-i (i = 2 to n) (step A7).

  Next, in the firmware management apparatus 300-i (i = 2 to n), the update information receiving unit 207-i receives the update information (step B3). Then, the update information receiving unit 207-i stores the received update information in the update information storage unit 101-i (step B4).

  Thus, the computer system 5 finishes the operation.

  With the above operation, the update information for each computer device 430-i is stored in the update information storage unit 101-i of each firmware management device 300-i (i = 1 to n). Using this update information, in each computer apparatus 430-i, the firmware update unit 401 updates the firmware. The operation for updating the firmware is the same as that of the fourth embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG.

  Next, effects of the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The computer system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention can update the firmware of a plurality of computer devices of various models at once without requiring a special environment construction.

  The reason will be described. The computer system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of computer devices according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Each of these computer apparatuses is equipped with a firmware management apparatus as a third embodiment of the present invention. This is because these firmware management apparatuses are communicably connected to each other.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the firmware management apparatus of any one of the plurality of computer apparatuses is connected to the external device and acquires the instruction information. Then, the firmware management apparatus that has acquired the instruction information acquires update information for the own computer apparatus and the other computer apparatus from the external device. Then, the firmware management apparatus that has acquired the instruction information transmits update information for each other computer apparatus to the other firmware management apparatus installed in the other computer apparatus. In this way, each computer device can acquire update information suitable for the model of the device itself, and can update the firmware. Thus, this embodiment does not require a special distribution computer or an external server.

  Furthermore, if this embodiment is used, an operator who performs maintenance may input instruction information by connecting an external device to the firmware management apparatus of any of the plurality of computer apparatuses. Therefore, the present embodiment does not require a work for identifying a computer apparatus on which a firmware management apparatus capable of connecting an external device is mounted among a plurality of computer apparatuses, thereby further reducing the maintenance effort.

  In the present embodiment, the computer system 5 has been described as including a plurality of computer devices 430.

  The computer system 5 is not limited to this, and may include one computer device 410 including the firmware management device 100. Another computer apparatus in the computer system 5 is configured by a computer apparatus 420 including the firmware management apparatus 200 or a computer apparatus 430 including the firmware management apparatus 300. In this case, a user who uses the computer system 5 connects an external device to the firmware management apparatus 100 included in the computer apparatus 410 among the plurality of computer apparatuses and inputs instruction information.

  Alternatively, the computer system 5 may include one or more computer devices 430 including the firmware management device 300 and one or more computer devices 420 including the firmware management device 200. In this case, a user who uses the computer system 5 connects an external device to the firmware management apparatus 300 included in any one of the computer apparatuses 430 and inputs instruction information.

  When configured in this way, the present embodiment may be equipped with a firmware management apparatus that does not require an external device connection interface in a part of a plurality of computer apparatuses that are targets of updating firmware in a batch. Reduce equipment costs.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing referred to in the description of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configuration and steps that operate in the same manner as in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention. The detailed description in is omitted.

  First, FIG. 15 shows the configuration of a computer system 6 as a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 15, the computer system 6 includes a plurality of computer devices 460. The computer apparatus 460 is different from the computer apparatus 430 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention in that it includes a firmware management apparatus 360 instead of the firmware management apparatus 300. Hereinafter, the plurality of computer devices 460 are also referred to as computer devices 460-i (i = 1 to n, n is an integer of 2 or more). The firmware management device 360 included in the computer device 460-i is also referred to as a firmware management device 360-i.

  Next, a functional block configuration of the firmware management apparatus 360 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 16, the firmware management apparatus 360 is different from the firmware management apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention in that an update information transmission unit 365 is provided instead of the update information transmission unit 105. Furthermore, the difference is that an update necessity determination unit 366 is provided.

  Here, the computer device 460 can be configured by hardware elements similar to those of the fourth embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG. The firmware management apparatus 360 can be configured by hardware elements similar to those of the first embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG. In this case, the update necessity determination unit 366 is configured by a processor 1001 that reads and executes a computer program stored in the memory 1002. However, the hardware configuration of the computer device 460, the firmware management device 360, and each functional block thereof is not limited to the above-described configuration.

  Next, functional blocks different from the first to fifth embodiments among the functional blocks of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  Based on the device model information of each other computer device 460 and the update information for each model stored in the external device, the update necessity determination unit 366 determines whether or not the firmware update in the computer device 460 is necessary. to decide.

  For example, it is assumed that the device model information includes version information of firmware installed at that time in the computer device 460 on which the firmware management device 360 that is the transmission source of the device model information is mounted. Further, it is assumed that the version information can be acquired from the update information for each model stored in the external device. In this case, if the version information indicated by the device model information is older than the version information of the update information for the model indicated by the device model information stored in the external device, the update necessity determination unit 366 performs the update. Judge that it is necessary. The update necessity determination unit 366 determines that the update is not required when the version information indicated by the device model information is the same as or newer than the version information of the update information stored in the external device.

  The update information transmission unit 365 does not transmit update information to the other firmware management apparatus 360 that is the transmission source of the apparatus model information that is determined not to require firmware update.

  For example, the update information transmission unit 365 may transmit information indicating that no update is necessary, instead of the update information, to another corresponding firmware management apparatus 360. Hereinafter, information indicating that no update is required is also referred to as an update unnecessary notification. In this case, the update information receiving unit 207 may transmit information indicating that the update unnecessary notification has been received to the firmware management apparatus 360 that is the transmission source of the update unnecessary notification.

  The operation of the computer system 6 configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the operation of the firmware management apparatus 360 is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 17, first, the firmware management apparatus 360 operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment of the present invention up to steps A1 to A5. As a result, the update information storage unit 101 of the firmware management apparatus 360 stores update information for the model of the computer apparatus 460 on which the self apparatus is mounted. In addition, device model information of another computer device 460 is received from each of the other firmware management devices 360.

  Next, the update necessity determination unit 366 performs the following operation on one of the received device model information.

  Specifically, the update necessity determination unit 366 determines whether or not an update is necessary based on the device model information and the update information stored in the external device for the model indicated by the device model information. Judgment is made (step A61).

  If it is determined that an update is necessary (Yes in step A61), the firmware management apparatus 360 executes steps A6 to A7 as in the first embodiment of the present invention. As a result, the corresponding update information is transmitted to the other firmware management apparatus 360 that has transmitted the apparatus model information.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the update is unnecessary (No in Step A61), the update information transmission unit 365 transmits an update unnecessary notification to the other firmware management apparatus 360 that has transmitted the apparatus model information. (Step A62).

  If the received device model information has not been processed yet (Yes in step A63), the firmware management device 360 repeats the operation from step A61.

  On the other hand, if none of the received device model information has been processed yet (No in step A63), the firmware management device 360 ends the operation.

  Next, the operation of the computer system 6 is shown in the sequence diagram of FIG.

  In FIG. 18, it is assumed that instruction information is input to the firmware management apparatus 360-1 and an external device is connected. Further, each function block included in the firmware management apparatus 360-i is appended with a character string “-i” after the reference number to indicate that the function block is included in the firmware management apparatus 360-i. Shall.

  First, the firmware management apparatus 360-1 operates in the same manner as the firmware management apparatus 300-1 described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. The firmware management apparatus 360-i (i = 2 to n) operates in the same manner as the firmware management apparatus 300-i (i = 2 to n) described in the sequence diagram of FIG.

  Thereby, the update information for the computer device 460-1 is stored in the update information storage unit 101 of the firmware management device 360-1. Further, the device model information of the computer device 460-i is transmitted from the firmware management device 360-i (i = 2 to n) to the firmware management device 360-1.

  Next, the update necessity determination unit 366-1 determines whether firmware update is necessary based on the apparatus model information received from the firmware management apparatus 360-2 and the update information stored in the external device ( Step A61).

  Here, for example, it is assumed that the apparatus model information from the firmware management apparatus 360-2 includes “1.1” as version information. Further, in the external device, it is assumed that the model update information indicated by the device model information from the firmware management device 360-2 indicates “1.1” as the version information.

  In this case, the update necessity determination unit 366-1 determines that the device model information received from the firmware management device 360-2 does not need to be updated (No in step A61).

  Therefore, the update information transmission unit 365-1 transmits an update unnecessary notification to the firmware management apparatus 360-2 (step A62).

  Next, the update necessity determination unit 366-1 determines whether or not the firmware needs to be updated based on the device model information received from the firmware management device 360-3 and the update information stored in the external device ( Step A61).

  Here, for example, it is assumed that the apparatus model information from the firmware management apparatus 360-3 includes “1.0” as version information. Also, in the external device, it is assumed that the update information for the model indicated by the device model information from the firmware management device 360-3 indicates “1.2” as the version information.

  In this case, the update necessity determination unit 366-1 determines that the device model information received from the firmware management device 360-3 needs to be updated (Yes in step A61).

  Therefore, the update information acquisition unit 104-1 acquires update information for the model indicated by the apparatus model information received from the firmware management apparatus 360-3 from the external device (step A6).

  Next, the update information transmission unit 365-1 transmits update information for the computer device 460-3 to the firmware management device 360-3 (step A7).

  Then, the firmware management apparatus 360-1 operates in the same manner as the operation for the firmware management apparatus 360-2 or 360-3 with respect to the remaining firmware management apparatuses 360-i (i = 4 to n). In FIG. 18, the operation for the firmware management apparatus 360-n is the same as the operation for the firmware management apparatus 360-2. That is, the firmware management apparatus 360-1 determines that the update is unnecessary based on the apparatus model information from the firmware management apparatus 360-n, and transmits an update unnecessary notification to the firmware management apparatus 360-n. .

  Thus, the computer system 6 ends the operation.

  Through the above operation, the update information for each model of the computer device 460-i is stored in the update information storage unit 101-i of each firmware management device 360-i (i = 1 to n). However, for the firmware management apparatus 360-i that is the transmission source of the apparatus model information that is determined to require no update, the update information storage unit 101-i does not store the update information or the previous update information Is stored. In each computer apparatus 460-i, the firmware update unit 401-i performs the firmware update operation in the same manner as in the fourth embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG. However, in the computer device 460-i on which the firmware management device 360-i that is the transmission source of the device model information that is determined to be unnecessary, the firmware update unit 401-i does not update the firmware. This is because there is no update information stored in the update information storage unit 101-i, or it is the same as or older than the current version.

  Next, effects of the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The computer system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention increases the amount of communication when updating firmware of a plurality of computer devices of various models in a batch without requiring special environment construction. Can be suppressed.

  The reason will be described. In addition to the same configuration as that of the third embodiment of the present invention, the firmware management device mounted on the computer device that constitutes the present embodiment has the following configuration. That is, whether the update necessity determination unit needs to update the firmware based on the device model information received from each other firmware management device and the update information for each model stored in the external device. Judge whether or not. This is because the update information transmission unit does not transmit the update information to the other firmware management apparatus that has transmitted the apparatus model information that has been determined that the firmware update is unnecessary.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, when updating firmware of a plurality of computer devices in a batch, the process of transmitting update information to a firmware management device mounted on a computer device that does not require updating can be omitted. As a result, this embodiment can suppress an increase in traffic.

  In the present embodiment, the update necessity determination unit may determine whether the update of the firmware of the computer apparatus is necessary. In this case, the update necessity determination unit may determine whether update is necessary based on device model information representing the model of the computer device and update information stored in the external device. When it is determined that no update is necessary, the update information acquisition unit can omit the process of acquiring the update information for its own computer device from the external device and storing it in the update information storage unit.

  Further, in the fifth and sixth embodiments of the present invention, the description has been given of the example in which the instruction information is input to the first firmware management apparatus among the plurality of firmware management apparatuses and the external device is connected. However, among the plurality of firmware management apparatuses, the firmware management apparatus to which instruction information is input and an external device is connected is not limited to a specific firmware management apparatus. In the description of the operation of the sixth embodiment, an example in which an update unnecessary notification is transmitted for the second firmware management apparatus and the nth firmware management apparatus and update information is transmitted for the third firmware management apparatus will be described. did. However, of the plurality of firmware management apparatuses, which firmware management apparatus is equipped with which the firmware update is necessary is not limited to this example.

  In the fourth to sixth embodiments of the present invention described above, the device model information transmission unit of each firmware management device operates as follows when the firmware update unit detects that the firmware has been updated. May be. That is, in this case, the device model information transmission unit may broadcast the device model information to other firmware management devices. In this case, the device model information receiving unit of each firmware management device stores the broadcast device model information in association with information representing the transmission source firmware management device. Then, when the instruction information is acquired, the device model information receiving unit of each firmware management device does not receive device model information from other firmware management devices that already store the device model information. Also good. This can be realized, for example, when the device model information receiving unit broadcasts information requesting the device model information including information of the firmware management device that has already acquired the device model information. In this case, the device model information transmission unit of the firmware management apparatus that has received the broadcast information can transmit the device model information to the request source when the broadcast information does not include the information on the own device. Good. With this configuration, the present embodiment can further reduce the amount of communication that occurs between firmware management apparatuses when instruction information is input.

  Further, in each of the embodiments of the present invention described above, the apparatus model information has been described as including at least information representing a model of a computer apparatus. In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the example in which the device model information further includes firmware version information has been described. In addition, the device model information may include a hardware ID, a serial number, or the like as information for specifying a computer device. Further, the device model information may include a network address or a MAC (Media Access Control) address of a firmware management device that is a transmission source of the device model information.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, it has been described that update information for each model of the computer apparatus is stored in the external device. For example, the external device may store corresponding update information in a directory prepared for each model of the computer device.

  Further, in each of the embodiments of the present invention described above, the example in which the firmware is the BIOS of the computer apparatus has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, although an example in which the network connecting firmware management apparatuses is a LAN has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the firmware management apparatus of each embodiment may be mounted on each of a plurality of on-vehicle devices and connected via a wireless communication network between the on-vehicle devices. In this case, the firmware management apparatus according to each embodiment can update the firmware of the in-vehicle device in a batch. In addition, for example, the firmware management apparatus according to each embodiment may be mounted on each of a plurality of home appliances and connected via a wireless communication network that connects the home appliances. In this case, the firmware management apparatus according to each embodiment can update the firmware of home appliances in a batch.

  In the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the functional blocks of the firmware management apparatus and the computer apparatus have been mainly described as examples realized by a processor or CPU that executes a computer program stored in a memory. However, some, all, or a combination of each functional block may be realized by dedicated hardware.

  In each of the embodiments of the present invention described above, the operation of the firmware management apparatus or computer apparatus described with reference to the flowcharts is stored in the firmware management apparatus or a storage device (storage medium) of the computer apparatus as a program of the present invention. Store it. Then, the program or the CPU may read and execute the program. In such a case, the present invention is constituted by the code of the program or a storage medium.

  Moreover, each embodiment mentioned above can be implemented in combination as appropriate.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes.

5, 6 Computer system 100, 200, 300, 360 Firmware management device 101, 201 Update information storage unit 102 Instruction information input unit 103 Device model information reception unit 104 Update information acquisition unit 105, 365 Update information transmission unit 366 Update necessity determination Unit 206 Device model information transmission unit 207 Update information reception unit 401 Firmware update unit 410, 420, 430, 460 Computer device 1001, 2001 Processor 4001 CPU
1002, 2002, 4002 Memory 1003 External device connection interface 1004, 2004 Network interface 1005, 2005 Bus

Claims (10)

Update information storage means defined as a storage location of update information used when updating the firmware by the own computer device which is a computer device on which the own device is mounted;
Instruction information input means for acquiring, as an input, instruction information representing an instruction to update the firmware;
In response to the acquisition of the instruction information, device model information relating to a model of another computer device, which is a computer device on which each other firmware management device connected to the own device via a network is mounted, Device model information receiving means for receiving a request to the management device;
Based on the model of the local computer device from an external device storing firmware update information for each model, the update information for the local computer device is acquired and stored in the update information storage means. Update information acquisition means for acquiring the update information for the other computer apparatus from the external device based on the apparatus model information of each of the other computer apparatuses received by the model information receiving means;
Update information transmitting means for transmitting the update information for each of the other computer devices to the other firmware management device mounted on the other computer device;
Firmware management device with Based on the device model information of each other computer device received by the device model information receiving means and the update information for each model stored in the external device, the other computer device needs to update the firmware. Further comprising an update necessity judgment means for judging whether or not
2. The update information transmitting unit does not transmit the update information to the other firmware management apparatus that is a transmission source of apparatus model information that is determined not to require firmware update. Firmware management device described in 1. The other firmware management apparatus connected to the firmware management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
Update information storage means defined as a storage location of the update information used when updating firmware by the other computer device;
Device model information transmitting means for transmitting the device model information of the other computer device to a request source in response to a request from the firmware management device according to claim 1 or 2,
When the update information for the other computer apparatus is received from the firmware management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, the update information receiving means for storing the received update information in the update information storage means;
Firmware management device with The firmware management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A firmware management device according to claim 3;
Firmware management device including The firmware management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Firmware update means for updating the firmware of the device using the update information stored in the update information storage means;
A computer device comprising:   A plurality of the computer devices according to claim 5, wherein the management device included in any one of the computer devices includes the update information storage means, the instruction information input means, the device model information reception means, and the update The management device includes information acquisition means and update information transmission means, and is included in each of the other computer devices, including the update information storage means, device model information transmission means, and update information reception means. Computer system. Firmware management device
When the instruction information indicating the instruction to update the firmware is obtained as input,
The device model information related to the model of the other computer device, which is a computer device on which each other firmware management device connected to the own device via the network is mounted, is received by requesting each other firmware management device. ,
From the external device that stores firmware update information for each model, based on the model of the computer device that is the computer device on which the device is installed, obtains the update information for the computer device,
The acquired update information is stored in an update information storage means defined as a storage location of update information used when updating firmware by the own computer device,
Based on the device model information of each other computer device, obtain the update information for the other computer device from the external device,
A method of transmitting the update information for each of the other computer devices to the other firmware management device mounted on the other computer device. One of the firmware management devices installed in each of a plurality of computer devices
When the instruction information indicating the instruction to update the firmware is obtained as input,
Requesting each other firmware management device for device model information relating to the model of the other computer device, which is a computer device on which each other firmware management device connected to the own device via the network is mounted,
Each of the other firmware management devices
Sending the device model information of the other computer device to the requester;
The request source firmware management apparatus
From the external device that stores firmware update information for each model, based on the model of the computer device that is the computer device on which the device is installed, obtains the update information for the computer device,
The acquired update information is stored in an update information storage means defined as a storage location of update information used when updating firmware by the own computer device,
Based on the device model information of each other computer device, obtain the update information for the other computer device from the external device,
The update information for each other computer device is transmitted to the other firmware management device mounted on the other computer device,
Each of the other firmware management devices
A method of storing received update information in an update information storage means defined as a storage location of update information used when the firmware is updated by the other computer device. An instruction information input step for acquiring, as an input, instruction information representing an instruction to update the firmware;
Receive device model information related to a model of another computer device, which is a computer device on which each other firmware management device connected to its own device via a network is requested, by requesting each other firmware management device. A device model information receiving step;
Based on the model of the local computer device, which is the computer device on which the local device is installed, from the external device storing the firmware update information for each model, the update information for the local computer device is acquired, and the acquired update Information is stored in update information storage means defined as a storage location of update information used when updating firmware by the computer device, and the external device is based on device model information of the other computer devices. From the update information acquisition step of acquiring the update information for the other computer device,
An update information transmission step of transmitting the update information for each of the other computer devices to the other firmware management device mounted on the other computer device;
That causes the firmware management device to execute A device model information transmission step of transmitting the device model information of the other computer device to a request source in response to a request from a firmware management device that executes the program according to claim 9;
When the update information for the other computer device is received from the firmware management device that executes the program according to claim 9, the received update information is used when updating the firmware by the other computer device. An update information receiving step for storing in an update information storage means defined as a storage location of update information;
For causing the other firmware management apparatus to execute the program.

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