TW201423592A - Rack and method for updating basic input output systems at the time thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A rack includes a rack management controller (RMC) and a plurality of server nodes. The RMC receives a firmware updating file and generates an updating message according the firmware updating file. Each of the server nodes includes a memory and a baseboard management controller (BMC). The memory stores a basic input output system (BIOS). The BMC coupled to the RMC and the memory receives the updating message to download the firmware updating file from the RMC and store the firmware updating file to a storage space. After downloading the updating firmware file is completed, the BMC makes the memory perform a recovery mode, the BMC then write the updating firmware file into the memory for updating a firmware of the BIOS.

Description

Method for cabinet to update multiple basic input and output systems simultaneously

A server and a method for updating the same, and particularly relates to a method for a cabinet to simultaneously update a plurality of basic input and output systems.

Generally, a plurality of motherboards of a server (Server) are respectively configured with a basic input output system (BIOS) memory for storing a basic input/output system, and the memory needs to be updated. Stored firmware to achieve server maintenance or upgrades to some features. For the firmware update of the aforementioned basic input/output system, it needs to be updated by a person, that is, the person needs to remove the memory and write the new version or any version of the firmware into the memory with the update device. Update the firmware stored in the memory.

However, due to the increasing demand for servers, there are more and more motherboards in the server to provide better services. When it is necessary to update the basic input/output system of a large number of motherboards in the server, if the above update method is required, the personnel need to update the basic input/output system of the server board one by one in the field, which will result in basic input. The output system has a long operating time and reduces the efficiency of firmware updates. Therefore, the firmware update of the basic input/output system of the server still needs improvement.

In view of the above problems, the present disclosure is to provide a cabinet with multiple updates at the same time. A basic input-output system approach that effectively saves firmware update time and increases firmware update efficiency.

A cabinet of the present disclosure includes a cabinet management controller and a plurality of server nodes. The cabinet management controller is configured to receive the firmware update file and generate an update message according to the firmware update file. These server nodes each include a memory and substrate management controller. The memory is used to store the basic input and output system. The baseboard management controller is coupled to the cabinet management controller and the memory for receiving update information, and the firmware update file is downloaded from the cabinet management controller and stored in the storage space, and after the firmware update file is downloaded, the command memory is Enter the recovery mode and write the firmware update file to the memory to update the firmware of the basic input/output system.

In an embodiment, the foregoing cabinet management controller and the baseboard management controller communicate, for example, through a transmission.

In an embodiment, the substrate management controller according to the update message, the substrate management controller respectively generates a response message cabinet management controller, and the cabinet management controller determines whether there is a response message, and if the response message is determined, the baseboard management controller The cabinet management controller downloads the firmware update file. If it is determined that there is no response message, the cabinet management controller determines whether the number of times of no response message exceeds a preset value. If the number of times the response message is determined does not exceed the preset value, the cabinet management controller again An update message is generated to the baseboard management controller. If it is determined that the number of non-response messages exceeds a preset value, the cabinet management controller generates an update error message.

In an embodiment, the foregoing substrate management controller determines the basic input output system If the update is successful, if it is determined that the basic input/output system is not updated successfully, the baseboard management controller generates an error message to the cabinet management controller respectively. If it is determined that the basic input/output system is successfully updated, the baseboard management controller generates an update completion message. To the cabinet management controller, and the baseboard management controller controls the memory to enter the power-on mode from the reply mode.

The present disclosure provides a method for simultaneously updating a plurality of basic input/output systems, which is suitable for a cabinet, the cabinet includes a cabinet management controller and a plurality of server nodes, and each of the server nodes includes a memory and a baseboard management controller. The method of simultaneously updating a plurality of basic input/output systems includes the following steps. The firmware update file is received by the cabinet management controller. According to the firmware update file, an update message is generated to a plurality of baseboard management controllers of the plurality of server nodes. According to the update message, the baseboard management controller downloads the firmware update file from the cabinet management controller. The substrate management controller commands a plurality of memories of the server node to enter a recovery mode, wherein the memory stores the basic input/output system separately. The firmware update file is written to the memory to update the firmware of the basic input/output system.

In an embodiment, the foregoing step further includes the following steps before the step of downloading the firmware update file from the cabinet management controller according to the update message. According to the update message, the baseboard management controller respectively generates a response message. Determine if there is a response message. If it is determined that there is a response message, the step of downloading the firmware update file from the cabinet management controller according to the update message is entered. If it is judged that there is no response message, it is judged whether the number of non-response messages exceeds the preset value. If it is judged that there is no response If the number of times of the information does not exceed the preset value, the step of generating an update message to the plurality of baseboard management controllers of the server node according to the firmware update file is entered. If it is determined that the number of non-response messages exceeds the preset value, an update error message is generated.

In an embodiment, the step of updating the firmware of the basic input/output system includes the following steps. Determine if the basic input and output system is updated successfully. If it is determined that the basic input/output system has not been updated successfully, the baseboard management controller generates an error message to the cabinet management controller. If it is determined that the basic input/output system is successfully updated, the baseboard management controller respectively generates an update completion message to the cabinet management controller, and the baseboard management controller controls the memory to enter the boot mode from the reply mode.

The method for updating a plurality of basic input/output systems at the same time, the cabinet management controller generates an update message according to the received firmware update file, and simultaneously transmits the update information to the plurality of baseboard management controllers of the cabinet. And the baseboard management controller corresponds to the update message, downloads the firmware update file from the cabinet management controller, and commands the memory to enter the reply mode to write the firmware update file to the memory to update the toughness of the basic input/output system. body. In this way, the working time of firmware update can be effectively saved, and the efficiency of firmware update is increased.

The features and implementations of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Please refer to "Figure 1" for a schematic view of the cabinet of the present disclosure. The cabinet 100 includes a Rack Management Controller (RMC) 110. And a plurality of server nodes 120_1~120_N, where N is a positive integer greater than one. Among them, the server nodes 120_1~120_N can each be regarded as a server that operates independently. Additionally, the rack management controller 110 can be, for example, a stand-alone server or a separate control unit.

The cabinet management controller 110 is configured to receive the firmware update file, and generate an update message according to the firmware update file. That is to say, the user can upload and upload the firmware update file of the new version or any version of the Basic Input Output System (BIOS) to the rack management controller 110 through the wired network or the wireless network. The cabinet management controller 110 performs the firmware update procedure of the subsequent basic input/output system accordingly. The firmware update file is, for example, an image file.

In an embodiment of the present invention, if a plurality of cabinets 100 are connected to an upper controller, the administrator can use a new version or any version of the basic input/output system via a wired network or a wireless network (Basic). The firmware update file of the Input Output System (BIOS) is uploaded to the upper controller, and the upper controller transmits the firmware update file to each cabinet 100.

The server nodes 120_1~120_N include a memory 130_1~130_N and a baseboard management controller (BMC) 140_1~140_N, respectively. The memory 130_1~130_N is used to store the basic input/output system.

The baseboard management controllers 140_1~140_N are respectively coupled to the rack management controller 110 and the memory 130_1~130_N for receiving update information to learn that the device needs to be tough. Body update program. Then, the substrate management controllers 140_1~140_N download the firmware update files from the rack management controller 110 according to the update information, and store the firmware update files in the storage spaces of the substrate management controllers 140_1~140_N.

In one embodiment, these storage spaces are, for example, a virtual space virtualized by the substrate management controllers 140_1~140_N. Further, the virtual space is, for example, a space that the baseboard management controllers 140_1~140_N draw on the memory 130_1~130_N or the hard disk of the corresponding server nodes 120_1~120_N. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the storage spaces are provided, for example, by a temporary storage device disposed in the substrate management controllers 140_1~140_N.

Then, after the firmware management file 140_1~140_N downloads the firmware update file, the memory 130_1~130_N is instructed to enter the recovery mode, and the substrate management controller 140_1~140_N writes the firmware update file of the storage space. The memory 130_1~130_N is used to update the firmware of the basic input/output system of the memory 130_1~130_N.

Further, when the user uploads the firmware update file, for example, the firmware of the new version of the basic input/output system to the rack management controller 110. When the cabinet management controller 110 receives the firmware update file, an update message is generated correspondingly to the baseboard management controllers 140_1~140_N. After the substrate management controllers 140_1~140_N receive the update message, the substrate management controllers 140_1~140_N respectively generate the response message cabinet management controller 110 according to the update message.

Next, the rack management controller 110 determines whether there is a response message. If judged There is a response message indicating that the baseboard management controllers 140_1~140_N are in a normal state, and the baseboard management controllers 140_1~140_N download the firmware update files from the rack management controller 110.

If it is determined that there is no response message, the cabinet management controller 110 determines whether the number of response messages exceeds a preset value. If it is determined that the number of non-response messages does not exceed the preset value, the cabinet management controller 110 generates the update message baseboard management controllers 140_1~140_N again to inform the baseboard management controllers 140_1~140_N to perform the subsequent basic input/output system toughness. The program is updated until the cabinet management controller 110 determines whether the number of response messages exceeds a preset value.

If it is determined that the number of non-response messages exceeds a preset value, the cabinet management controller 110 generates an update error message. Moreover, the update error message can be transmitted to the display or the LED, for example, and a corresponding message is displayed to inform the user that the firmware update has an error, and the user can perform corresponding processing.

Then, after the baseboard management controllers 140_1~140_N download the firmware update files from the rack management controller 110, the baseboard management controllers 140_1~140_N further instruct the memory 130_1~130_N to enter the reply mode, for example, switching from the boot mode to the reply mode. . Thereafter, the substrate management controllers 140_1~140_N write the firmware update files to the memory 130_1~130_N, so that the memory 130_1~130_N overwrites the original basic input/output system with the new version of the basic input/output system in the reply mode.

Thereafter, the substrate management controllers 140_1~140_N determine whether the basic input/output system is updated successfully. If it is judged that the basic input/output system has not been updated successfully, the substrate tube The controllers 140_1~140_N generate an error message to the rack management controller 110, respectively. Then, the cabinet management controller 110 generates a corresponding signal to the display or the LED according to the error message, and displays a corresponding message to inform the user that the firmware update error occurs, and the user can perform corresponding processing. To inform the basic input and output system that the update was not successful.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the basic input/output system update is successful, the substrate management controllers 140_1~140_N respectively generate an update completion message to the rack management controller 110. Then, the cabinet management controller 110 generates a corresponding signal to the display or the LED according to the error message, and displays a corresponding message to inform the user that the firmware update is completed and the update is successful.

In addition, the substrate management controllers 140_1~140_N control the memory 130_1~130_N to enter the boot mode from the reply mode, and control the server nodes 120_1~120_N to shut down. Then, after the server nodes 120_1~120_N are restarted, the basic input/output system can be operated in the boot mode, so that the server nodes 120_1~120_N can be properly turned on and enter normal operation.

In this embodiment, when the cabinet 100 wants to update the basic input/output system, since the power supply of the cabinet 100 provides alternating current (AC) power to the server nodes 120_1~120_N, the substrate management of each server node 120_1~120_N Controllers 140_1~140_N have all been enabled.

When the cabinet 100 starts to update the basic input/output system, if each of the server nodes 120_1~120_N is in a shutdown state, and the baseboard management controllers 140_1~140_N After receiving the update message, the control server nodes 120_1~120_N are powered on. After the server nodes 120_1~120_N are powered on, the server nodes 120_1~120_N are still booted by the firmware of the old basic input/output system, and the basic input/output system detects the substrate management controllers 140_1~140_N. The received firmware is updated, and then the reply mode operation is performed to perform the firmware update procedure.

Then, after the firmware update is completed, the baseboard management controllers 140_1~140_N control the server nodes 120_1~120_N to perform shutdown, so that the server nodes 120_1~120_N are powered by the new basic input and output system at the next startup. Start up.

In addition, when the cabinet 100 starts to update the basic input/output system, if the server nodes 120_1~120_N are in the startup state, and the substrate management controllers 140_1~140_N receive the update message, the substrate management controllers 140_1~140_N first control the servos. The nodes 120_1~120_N are shut down for the firmware update procedure.

Further, in an embodiment, the baseboard management controllers 140_1~140_N can wait for and control the server nodes 120_1~120_N to shut down, and control the server nodes 120_1~120_N to boot the firmware of the old basic input/output system, and then Perform the recovery mode operation by updating the firmware to update the firmware.

In another embodiment, the baseboard management controllers 140_1~140_N wait for the rack management controller 110 to no longer assign tasks to the server nodes 120_1~120_N (eg, server nodes that require firmware update), and the server node 120_1 ~120_N has After the current work is completed, the control server nodes 120_1~120_N are shut down. Next, the baseboard management controllers 140_1~140_N control the server nodes 120_1~120_N to boot up with the firmware of the old basic input/output system, and perform the operation of the recovery mode with the updated firmware to perform the firmware update procedure.

In this embodiment, the cabinet management controller 110 and the baseboard management controllers 140_1~140_N perform data transmission through a transmission channel 150, for example. The transmission channel 150 is, for example, an Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) and a Web User Interface.

With the description of the foregoing embodiments, a method of simultaneously updating a plurality of basic input/output systems can be summarized. Please refer to "Figure 2" for a flowchart of the method for updating multiple basic input and output systems at the same time. The method for updating a plurality of basic input/output systems at the same time in this embodiment is suitable for a cabinet, the cabinet includes a cabinet management controller and a plurality of server nodes, and each of the server nodes includes a memory and a baseboard management controller.

In step S210, the firmware update file is received by the cabinet management controller. In step S220, according to the firmware update file, an update message is generated to the plurality of baseboard management controllers of the plurality of server nodes.

In step S230, according to the update message, the baseboard management controller downloads the firmware update file from the cabinet management controller. In step S240, the substrate management controller commands the plurality of memories of the server node to enter a recovery mode, wherein the memory stores multiple Basic input and output system. In step S250, the firmware update file is written to the memory to update the firmware of the basic input/output system.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a flow chart of another method for simultaneously updating a plurality of basic input/output systems. The method for updating a plurality of basic input/output systems at the same time in this embodiment is suitable for a cabinet, the cabinet includes a cabinet management controller and a plurality of server nodes, and each of the server nodes includes a memory and a baseboard management controller.

In step S302, the firmware update file is received by the cabinet management controller. In step S304, an update message is generated according to the firmware update file to the plurality of baseboard management controllers of the plurality of server nodes. In step S306, according to the update message, the baseboard management controller respectively generates a response message.

In step S308, it is determined whether there is a response message. If it is determined that there is no response message, the process proceeds to step S310, and it is determined whether the number of times of no response message exceeds a preset value. If it is determined that the number of non-response messages does not exceed the preset value, then step S304 is performed to generate an update message to the plurality of baseboard management controllers of the server node according to the firmware update file. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of times of no response message exceeds the preset value, the process proceeds to step S312 to generate an update error message.

In step S308, if it is determined that there is a response message, the process proceeds to step S314, and according to the update message, the baseboard management controller downloads the firmware update file from the cabinet management controller. In step S316, the substrate management controller commands the plurality of memories of the server node to enter a recovery mode, wherein the memory stores a plurality of basic input/output systems, respectively. In step S318, the firmware update file is written to the memory to update the firmware of the basic input/output system.

In step S320, it is determined whether the basic input/output system is updated successfully. If it is determined that the basic input/output system has not been successfully updated, the process proceeds to step S322, and the substrate management controller generates an error message to the cabinet management controller. If it is determined that the basic input/output system is successfully updated, proceeding to step S324, the baseboard management controller respectively generates an update completion message to the cabinet management controller, and the baseboard management controller commands the memory to enter the power-on mode from the reply mode.

The method for updating a cabinet and a basic input/output system thereof according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the cabinet management controller generates an update message according to the received firmware update file and simultaneously transmits the plurality of baseboard management controls to the cabinet. And the baseboard management controller corresponds to the update message, downloads the firmware update file from the cabinet management controller, and commands the memory to enter the reply mode to write the firmware update file to the memory to update the basic input/output system. firmware. In this way, the working time of firmware update can be effectively saved, and the efficiency of firmware update is increased.

The present disclosure is disclosed in the foregoing embodiments, and is not intended to limit the disclosure. Any subject matter of the present invention can be modified and retouched without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The scope of patent protection shall be subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application attached to this specification.

100‧‧‧ cabinet

110‧‧‧Cabinet Management Controller

120_1~120_N‧‧‧ server node

130_1~130_N‧‧‧ memory

140_1~140_N‧‧‧Baseboard Management Controller

150‧‧‧Transmission channel

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the cabinet of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for updating a plurality of basic input/output systems simultaneously with the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of another method for simultaneously updating a plurality of basic input/output systems according to the present disclosure.

Claims (7)

A cabinet includes: a cabinet management controller for receiving a firmware update file, and generating an update message according to the firmware update file; and a plurality of server nodes, each of the server nodes including: a memory The body is configured to store a basic input/output system; and a baseboard management controller coupled to the cabinet management controller and the memory for receiving the update information to download the firmware update file from the cabinet management controller And saving to a storage space, and after the firmware update file is downloaded, instructing the memory to enter a recovery mode, and writing the firmware update file to the memory to update a firmware of the basic input/output system . The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the cabinet management controller and the baseboard management controller perform data transmission through a transmission channel. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the substrate management controllers respectively generate a response message corresponding to the cabinet management controller according to the update message, and the cabinet management controller determines whether the response message is generated. If the response message is determined, the baseboard management controller downloads the firmware update file from the cabinet management controller, and if it is determined that there is no response message, the cabinet management controller determines whether the number of times the response message does not exceed one. The preset value, if it is determined that the number of times the response message does not exceed the preset value, the cabinet management controller generates the update message to the substrate management controller again, and if the number of times the response message is not found Above the preset value, the cabinet management controller generates an update error message. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the substrate management controller determines whether the basic input/output systems are successfully updated, and if it is determined that the basic input/output systems are not updated successfully, the substrate management controllers respectively generate an error. Sending a message to the cabinet management controller, if it is determined that the basic input/output system is successfully updated, the baseboard management controllers respectively generate an update completion message to the cabinet management controller, and the baseboard management controller controls the memory From the reply mode, it enters a boot mode. A method for simultaneously updating a plurality of basic input/output systems is applicable to a cabinet, wherein the cabinet includes a cabinet management controller and a plurality of server nodes, and the server nodes each include a memory and a substrate management controller. The method for simultaneously updating a plurality of basic input/output systems includes: receiving, by the cabinet management controller, a firmware update file; and generating an update message to the substrate management controls of the server nodes according to the firmware update file. According to the update message, the baseboard management controller downloads the firmware update file from the cabinet management controller; the baseboard management controllers command the memory of the server nodes to enter a reply mode, wherein the The memory stores the basic input/output systems separately; and writing the firmware update file to the memory to update the basic input and output A firmware of the system. The method of updating a plurality of basic input/output systems at the same time as described in claim 5, wherein the step of downloading the firmware update file from the cabinet management controller according to the update message further includes: Updating the message, the substrate management controllers respectively generate a response message; determining whether the response message is present; if the response message is determined, entering the substrate management controller to download from the cabinet management controller according to the update message The firmware updates the file step; if it is determined that there is no response message, it is determined whether the number of times the response message does not exceed a preset value; if it is determined that the number of times the response message does not exceed the preset value, then the entry is based on the toughness And updating the file to generate the update message to the baseboard management controllers of the server nodes; and if it is determined that the number of times the response message does not exceed the preset value, generating an update error message. The method of updating a plurality of basic input/output systems at the same time as described in claim 5, wherein the step of updating the firmware of the basic input/output systems comprises: determining whether the basic input/output systems are updated successfully; The basic input/output systems are not updated successfully, respectively generating an error message to the cabinet management controller; If it is determined that the basic input/output system is successfully updated, an update completion message is generated to the cabinet management controller, and the baseboard management controller controls the memory to enter the boot mode by the reply mode.