TW201704994A - Technology for updating a server image file - Google Patents

Abstract

A server system includes a remote server and a local server. The remote server stores an update image files for rebooting. The local server includes at least a motherboard. The motherboard includes a setup interface and a basic input output unit having a read only memory. The read only memory stores a current image files for rebooting. The setup interface sends an instruction that requests to update image file to a baseboard management controller. The baseboard management controller reads the updated image file from the remote server based on the instruction and writes the updated image file to the read only memory such that the current image file of read-only memory updates to the update image file. The way could update the image file without entering the operating system.

Description

Technology for updating server images

The present invention relates to a server system and a method for updating a boot image file, and more particularly to a server system and a method for updating a boot image file without requiring a corresponding execution software to be executed in a local server to execute a corresponding execution software. .

The existing server has at least one motherboard including a memory, and at least one hard disk, the motherboard stores a current image file, and when the server is powered on, the server compares each of the memory according to the current image file. The memory block is configured with a corresponding memory address, and the hard disk stores a system data, and after booting, can enter an operating system such as Window, Linux, and DOS for subsequent use.

Taking the BIOS image file as an example, the size and complexity of the current BIOS image file are increasing, and the hardware update speed is accelerated, so the BIOS image file must be constantly updated to support new hardware. In addition, if the existing server is in use, if the server writes to the wrong memory block when executing a specific application, the operation of the server is abnormal, so that the current image cannot solve the problem. Must update the current The file-to-memory block is reconfigured with the correct memory address to continue executing the particular application.

When the above situation occurs, and the current image file stored in the motherboard needs to be updated with an update image file, the user requests the motherboard to read the system data on the hard disk to enter the operating system, and synchronizes. The user also needs to electrically connect the storage device storing the updated image file and the execution software that performs the image file update to the server, and then upload the updated image file and the execution software stored in the storage device. To the motherboard, the execution software can update the current image stored in the motherboard to the update image file, and complete the update of the image file.

Since the existing server usually has a plurality of motherboards, and the brands and models of the motherboards are often different, when the process of updating the image files needs to be performed, the user must be prepared for the motherboard to be updated. Specific update image files and execution software, which cause difficulties in management and use; in addition, in current practical applications, most servers are often connected in series to a server system, thus greatly improving the use and management. Difficulties.

In addition, when the hard disk is damaged, the server cannot read the system data on the hard disk through the motherboard to enter the operating system for subsequent actions, so that the image cannot be updated at all. Therefore, how to solve the problem of the aforementioned server and need to update the image file is one of the current efforts of the industry.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a utilization design The local server that updates the image file to solve the problem.

Thus, the local server of the present invention is adapted to be wired to a remote server that stores a BIOS update image.

The local server includes at least one motherboard.

The motherboard has a basic input and output unit and a backplane control device.

The basic input/output unit includes a setting interface and a read-only memory, and the read-only memory stores a BIOS current image file for booting, and the setting interface transmits a request update command requesting the image file to the bottom plate control device. .

The backplane control device obtains the BIOS update image from the remote server according to the request update command and writes the read-only memory to replace the BIOS current image file.

Furthermore, a second object of the present invention is to provide a method of updating an image file.

Furthermore, the method for updating an image file of the present invention is performed by a local server connected to a remote server, the local server including at least one motherboard having a basic input and output And a baseboard control device, the basic input/output unit includes a setting interface, and a read-only memory, the remote server stores a BIOS update image file related to booting, and includes the following steps: (A) the setting The interface transmits a request update command to the bottom plate control device according to an input indicating the update; (B) the bottom plate control device updates the command according to the request The remote server obtains a BIOS update image; and (C) the backplane control device writes the BIOS update image to the read-only memory of the basic input/output unit.

Furthermore, a third object of the invention is to provide a local server.

The local server is adapted to connect to a remote server that stores a BIOS update image.

The local server includes at least one motherboard having a basic input and output unit, and a bottom plate control device. The basic input/output unit includes a setting interface, and the bottom plate control device includes a read only memory. The memory stores a BMC current image file.

The setting interface transmits a request update command requesting an image file to the bottom board control device according to an input indicating the update.

The backplane control device obtains the BMC update image file from the remote server according to the request update command, and writes the BMC update image file to the read-only memory of the bottom board control device to replace the BMC current image file.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a method of updating an image file.

The method of updating the image file is performed by a local server connected to a remote server, the local server comprising at least one motherboard having a basic input/output unit and a backplane control device The basic input/output unit includes a setting interface, and the bottom board control device includes a read-only memory, and the remote server stores a BMC update. The image file includes the following steps: (A) the setting interface transmits a request update command to the bottom plate control device according to an input indicating the update; (B) the bottom plate control device obtains the remote update request according to the request update command The BMC updates the image file; and (C) the backplane control device writes the BMC update image file to the read-only memory of the backplane control device.

The effect of the present invention is that the request update command is transmitted by the basic input/output unit to the bottom board control device to complete the update boot image file without preparing the execution software for executing the update in advance for the motherboard.

1‧‧‧Remote Server

11‧‧‧BIOS update image file

12‧‧‧BIOS update version information

2‧‧‧Local server

21‧‧‧ motherboard

211‧‧‧Basic input and output unit

212‧‧‧Read-only memory

213‧‧‧BIOS current image file

214‧‧‧BIOS command module

215‧‧‧Setting interface

216‧‧‧Bottom plate control device

218‧‧‧BMC command module

31~39‧‧‧Steps to update the BIOS image

41~49‧‧‧Steps to update the BMC image

219‧‧‧Read-only memory

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a first embodiment of a server system of the present invention; FIG. 2 is the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for updating a BIOS image file in the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a system diagram of a second embodiment of a server system according to the present invention; and FIG. A flow chart of a method for updating a BMC image file in the second embodiment.

Before the present invention is described in detail, it should be noted in the following In the description, similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a server system of the present invention includes a remote server 1 and at least one local server 2 connected to the remote server 1, the local server 2 providing local use. The local server 2 includes at least one motherboard 21 (such as the first motherboard to the nth motherboard shown in FIG. 1 ), and the remote server 1 transmits the related operations. The network connection mode manages the local server 2, and stores an update file (for example, an image file and version information related to the image file) to provide the local server 2 update use, and the type and use of the image file. , the following will be further explained.

Referring to FIG. 2 (for convenience of description, only one motherboard description in this embodiment, but not limited thereto), the remote server 1 stores a BIOS update image 11 related to booting, and a BIOS update image related thereto. The BIOS update version file 12 of the file 11 is the latest version at the time point corresponding to the current update of the BIOS image file or the specific version required for each update, and is stored in the remote server. 1 and used to provide the local server 2 for use as an updated boot image. Among them, in the technical field, the proper name of the image file is image file, and the BIOS is defined as a Basic Input Output System, and the BMC is defined as a Baseboard Management Controller. Then abbreviate BIOS, BMC.

The motherboard 21 has a basic input/output unit 211, and is electrically connected between the basic input/output unit 211 and the remote server 1 The baseboard control device 216 includes a read-only memory 212 for storing a BIOS current image file 213 for booting, a BIOS command module 214, and a setting interface 215 for receiving a plurality of different inputs. The baseboard control device 216 includes a BMC command module 218 having the same format as the BMC command module 218 and storing a plurality of OEM commands corresponding to different inputs (Original Equipment Manufacturer command). In the present embodiment, the OEM instructions are related to the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI), but are not limited thereto.

The setting interface 215 can access the read-only memory 212 and communicate with the BIOS command module 214 and the backplane control device 216. The setting interface 215 is a bios setup utility built into the BIOS.

Referring to FIG. 3, the local server 2 performs a method of updating a BIOS image file, and the method for updating the boot image file includes the following steps 31 to 39.

In step 31, the setting interface 215 transmits a request version command to the bottom board control device 216 according to the input of a request version. In this embodiment, the function of the request version command is to request a BIOS image file, specifically, the The input of the request version is generated by the user controlling the setting interface 215. The setting interface 215 can compare with each instruction in the BIOS command module 214 according to the input of the requested version. When the comparison result is consistent, then The basic input/output unit 211 will correspond to the requested version. The instructions are transmitted to the backplane control device 216 to instruct the backplane control device 216 to provide the BIOS update version material 12.

In step 32, the backplane control device 216 retrieves the BIOS update version data 12 from the remote server 1. Specifically, after receiving the request version command, the bottom board control device 216 transmits the BMC command module 218. The request version command is interpreted to know that the BIOS update version 12 is to be obtained by the remote server 1.

In step 33, the backplane control device 216 transmits the BIOS update version material 12 to the setting interface 215.

In step 34, the setting interface 215 displays the BIOS current version data 217 and the BIOS update version data 12 to provide a user with a determination as to whether the BIOS image file needs to be updated. It is added that the basic input/output unit 211 will know the BIOS current version data of the corresponding BIOS current image file 213 stored in its read-only memory 212, and display the BIOS current version data 217 on its setting interface 215. .

In step 35, the setting interface 215 receives an input indicating whether the update is performed. Specifically, when the current version data of the BIOS does not match the BIOS update version data 12, the user controls the setting interface 215 to generate the indication. The updated input, if the current version data of the BIOS matches the content of the BIOS update version 12, the user can generate an input that does not need to be updated by the setting interface 215, and the setting interface 215 will not need to perform any operation.

In step 36, the setting interface 215 transmits the request update command to the bottom board control device 216 according to the input of the instruction update, The setting interface 215 compares the input of the indication update with each instruction in the BIOS command module 214. When the comparison result is consistent, the corresponding request update command is transmitted to the bottom board control. Apparatus 216 to instruct the backplane control unit 216 to update the BIOS image file.

In step 37, the backplane control device 216 obtains a BIOS update image file 11 from the remote server 1 according to the request update command. Specifically, after receiving the request update command, the bottom board control device 216 transmits the The BMC command module 218 interprets the request update command to learn that the remote update server 11 needs to be obtained by the remote server 1.

In step 38, the backplane control device 216 writes the BIOS update image 11 to the read only memory 212 of the basic input/output unit 211.

In step 39, the basic input/output unit 211 is restarted according to a restart signal. Specifically, when the backplane control device 216 writes the BIOS update image 11 to the read-only memory 212, After the BIOS image file is updated, the backplane control device 216 sends a signal to request the restart, so that the signal that the basic input/output unit 211 restarts according to the request is restarted, so that the local server 2 can use the BIOS update. Image file 11.

Referring to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of the server system of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the remote server 1 stores a BMC update image file 13 and a BMC associated with the BMC update image file 13. Update version data 14, the BMC update image file 13 is the latest version at the time point corresponding to the current update of the BMC image file or is required for each update. Specific version. The backplane control device 216 further includes a read-only memory 219 that stores a current image of the BMC.

Referring to FIG. 5, the local server 2 performs a method of updating a BMC image file, and the method of updating the BMC image file includes the following steps 41 to 49.

In step 41, the setting interface 215 transmits a request version command to the bottom board control device 216 according to the input of a BMC request version. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the function of the request version command is The BMC image file is requested. Specifically, the input of the BMC request version is generated by the user controlling the setting interface 215. The setting interface 215 can input each command in the BIOS command module 214 according to the input of the requested version. For comparison, when the comparison result is the match, the basic input output unit 211 transmits the corresponding request version command to the bottom plate control device 216 to instruct the bottom plate control device 216 to provide the BMC update version data 14.

In step 42, after receiving the request version command, the backplane control device 216 interprets the request version command through the BMC command module 218 to obtain the BMC update version data 14 from the remote server 1.

In step 43, the backplane control device 216 transmits the BMC current version data and the BMC update version data 14 to the setting interface 215. It is added here that the backplane control device 216 will know the current version of the BMC of the current BMC's current image file stored in its read-only memory 219, and transfer the current version of the BMC data to the basic input and output. The setting interface 215 of the unit 211 is output.

In step 44, the setting interface 215 displays the BMC current version data and the BMC update version data 14 to provide a user to determine whether to update the BMC image file.

In step 45, the setting interface 215 receives an input indicating whether the update is performed. Specifically, when the current version data of the BMC does not match the BMC update version data 14, the user controls the setting interface 215 to generate the indication. The updated input, if the BMC current version data matches the content of the BMC update version data 14, the user can generate an input that does not need to be updated by the setting interface 215, and the setting interface 215 will not need to perform any operations.

In step 46, the setting interface 215 transmits the request update command to the bottom plate control device 216 according to the input of the instruction update. Specifically, the setting interface 215 is updated according to the instruction and the BIOS command module 214. Each of the instructions is compared. When the comparison result is a match, the corresponding request update command corresponding to the match is transmitted to the bottom plate control device 216 to instruct the bottom plate control device 216 to update the BMC image file.

In step 47, the backplane control device 216 obtains an update image file 11 from the remote server 1 according to the request update command. Specifically, after receiving the request update command, the bottom plate control device 216 transmits the BMC through the BMC. The command module 218 interprets the request update command to learn that the BMC update image file 13 needs to be obtained by the remote server 1.

In step 48, the backplane control device 216 will the BMC The update image file 13 is written to the read-only memory 219 of the backplane control device 216, and after completion of the update, the bottom plate control device 216 outputs a notification signal to the basic input/output unit 211.

In step 49, the basic input/output unit 211 is restarted in accordance with the notification signal, and the bottom plate control device 216 is also restarted.

A third embodiment of the server system of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that the motherboard of the second embodiment further has a plurality of hardware components, such as complex programmable logic devices, electrically connected to the backplane control device 216 ( Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) and Backplane (Backplane) also store their current image files for booting initialization, and the remote server 1 stores more updates for updating hardware components. The image file, and the updated version of the updated image file version of the corresponding hardware component, when a specific hardware component is upgraded or fails to be repaired, the image of the specific hardware component is updated. .

Therefore, when the backplane control device 216 receives the request version command, the remote server 1 can also obtain the updated version data of all the hardware components, so that the setting interface 215 can display all the hardware components together. The current version of the data (pre-stored in the backplane control device) and the updated version of the data, while the user determines whether the displayed hardware component version data is consistent, when the version data of one of the specific hardware components is found to be inconsistent, the user The setting interface 215 can be similarly manipulated to generate an input indicating the update corresponding to the specific hardware component to indicate the bottom panel control device. The device 216 updates the image for the specific hardware component until the backplane control device 216 writes the updated image of the specific hardware component to the specific hardware component, and completes the update image of the specific hardware component. The specific hardware component receives the signal requested to be restarted by the backplane control device 216 to be restarted, so that the local server 2 can use the updated image of the specific hardware component.

In summary, the above embodiment uses the setting interface 215 to display the image file version information and the lower command to the bottom plate control device 216 to complete the update boot image file. Compared with the prior art, the user only needs to be at the local end. By operating the setting interface 215 of the local server 2, the update boot image can be completed without significantly preparing the execution software for executing the update for various brands or models of the motherboard, which can greatly improve the management efficiency. Therefore, the object of the present invention can be achieved.

The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, that is, the simple equivalent changes and modifications made by the patent application scope and patent specification content of the present invention, All remain within the scope of the invention patent.

1‧‧‧Remote Server

11‧‧‧Update image file

12‧‧‧BIOS update version information

21‧‧‧ motherboard

211‧‧‧Basic input and output unit

212‧‧‧Read-only memory

213‧‧‧ current image file

214‧‧‧BIOS command module

215‧‧‧Setting interface

216‧‧‧Bottom plate control device

218‧‧‧BMC command module

Claims (14)

A local server is configured to be connected to a remote server that stores a BIOS update image file. The local server includes: at least one motherboard having a basic input/output unit and a backplane control device. The basic input/output unit includes a setting interface and a read-only memory, and the read-only memory stores a BIOS current image file, and the setting interface transmits a request update command requesting the image file according to an input indicating the update. The backplane control device obtains the BIOS update image file from the remote server according to the request update command, and writes the BIOS update image file to the read-only memory of the basic input/output unit to replace The BIOS is currently imaged. The local server as claimed in claim 1, wherein the basic input/output unit further has a BIOS command module, wherein the BIOS command module stores a plurality of instructions corresponding to different inputs, and the bottom plate control device has a format identical to the BIOS. a BMC command module of the command module, the setting interface finds a corresponding request update command from the BIOS command module according to the input of the instruction update, and outputs the request update command, and the bottom plate control device receives the setting The request update command of the interface, and the request update command is interpreted according to the BMC instruction module to learn that the update image file needs to be obtained from the remote server. The local server of claim 2, wherein the remote server stores a BIOS update version data related to a BIOS update image version, the setting interface is from the BIOS according to a request version input Having the corresponding request version command in the module and outputting the request version command, the bottom plate control device receives the request version command, and interprets the request version command according to the BMC command module to learn that the remote command is required to be The server obtains the BIOS update version data, and transmits the BIOS update version data to the setting interface. The local server according to claim 3, wherein the setting interface displays the current version information of the BIOS and the BIOS update version data, and receives an input indicating whether the update is performed. The local server as claimed in claim 1, wherein, after the bottom board control device writes the BIOS update image file to the read-only memory of the basic input/output unit, the basic input/output unit is restarted according to a request. The signal is restarted. A method for updating an image file is performed by a local server connected to a remote server, the local server comprising at least one motherboard having a basic input/output unit and a backplane control The device, the basic input/output unit includes a setting interface, and a read-only memory. The remote server stores a BIOS update image file, and includes the following steps: (A) the setting interface transmits a command according to an input indicating the update. Requesting an update command to the backplane control device; (B) the backplane control device retrieves the BIOS update image from the remote server in accordance with the request update command; and (C) the backplane control device writes the BIOS update image Read-only memory to the basic input and output unit. The method for updating an image file according to claim 6, wherein the basic input/output unit further comprises a BIOS command module, wherein the BIOS command module stores a plurality of instructions corresponding to different inputs, and the bottom plate control device has a format identical to the BIOS. The BMC command module of the command module, the setting interface in the step (A) finds the corresponding request update command from the BIOS command module according to the input of the instruction update, and outputs the request update command, and the The backplane control device in the step (B) receives the request update command, and interprets the request update command according to the BMC command module to learn that the BIOS update image file needs to be obtained from the remote server. The method for updating an image file according to claim 7, wherein the read-only memory of the basic input/output unit stores a BIOS current image file, and the remote server stores a BIOS update version data related to the BIOS update image file version. The step (A) further includes the following steps: (A1) the setting interface transmits a request version command to the bottom board control device according to a request version input; (A2) the bottom board control device obtains the BIOS from the remote server Updating the version data; (A3) the backplane control device transmits the BIOS update version data to the setting interface; (A4) the setting interface displays the current version information of the BIOS and the BIOS update version data; and (A5) the setting interface receives An input indicating whether it is updated. A method for updating an image file as described in claim 8, in the step (A1) The setting interface finds the corresponding request version command from the BIOS command module according to a request version input and outputs the request version command, and the bottom plate control device in the step (A2) receives the request version command, and The BMC command module is configured to interpret the request version command to learn that the BIOS update version data is to be obtained from the remote server, and the BIOS current version data and the BIOS update version data are transmitted to the setting interface. The method for updating a boot image file according to claim 6, wherein the step (C) further comprises a step: the basic input/output unit is restarted according to a signal requesting restart. A local server is configured to be connected to a remote server that stores a BIOS update image, and the local server includes: at least one motherboard having a basic input/output unit and a backplane control device The basic input/output unit includes a setting interface, and the bottom board control device includes a read-only memory, and the read-only memory stores a current image of the BMC, and the setting interface transmits an image file according to an input indicating the update. Requesting an update command to the backplane control device, the backplane control device obtaining the BMC update image file from the remote server according to the request update command, and writing the BMC update image file to the read-only memory of the bottom plate control device To replace the current image of the BMC. The local server according to claim 11, wherein the basic input/output unit further has a BIOS command module, and the BIOS command module stores For most different input commands, the backplane control device has a BMC command module of the same format as the BIOS command module, and the setting interface finds the corresponding request update command from the BIOS command module according to the updated input of the indication. And outputting the request update instruction, and the bottom board control device receives the request update instruction via the setting interface, and interprets the request update instruction according to the BMC instruction module to learn that the BMC needs to be obtained from the remote server. Update the image file. A method for updating an image file is performed by a local server connected to a remote server, the local server comprising at least one motherboard having a basic input/output unit and a backplane control The device, the basic input/output unit includes a setting interface, the bottom plate control device includes a read-only memory, and the remote server stores a BMC update image file, including the following steps: (A) the setting interface is updated according to an indication Transmitting and transmitting a request update command to the backplane control device; (B) the backplane control device acquires the BMC update image file from the remote server according to the request update command; and (C) the bottom plate control device updates the BMC The image file is written to the read-only memory of the backplane control device. The method for updating an image file according to claim 6, wherein the basic input/output unit further comprises a BIOS command module, wherein the BIOS command module stores a plurality of instructions corresponding to different inputs, and the bottom plate control device has a format identical to the BIOS. BMC instruction module of the command module, The setting interface in the step (A) finds the corresponding request update instruction from the BIOS command module according to the input of the indication update, and outputs the request update instruction, and the bottom plate control in the step (B) The device receives the request update command, and interprets the request update command according to the BMC command module to learn that the BMC update image file needs to be obtained from the remote server.