Updating firmware compatibility data

Abstract

A method of determining the compatibility of a firmware version, includes downloading a candidate version of a firmware image for a particular product, updating incomplete firmware compatibility metadata by downloading additional firmware compatibility metadata for the particular product, and using the updated firmware compatibility metadata to determining whether the candidate version of the firmware image is compatibility with a current version of a firmware image that is installed within the particular product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 downloading a candidate version of a firmware image for a particular product;   updating incomplete firmware compatibility metadata by downloading additional firmware compatibility metadata for the particular product; and   using the updated firmware compatibility metadata to determining whether the candidate version of the firmware image is compatibility with a current version of a firmware image that is installed within the particular product.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the updated firmware compatibility metadata includes an indication of compatibility or incompatibility between the candidate version and the current version of the firmware image. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the updated firmware compatibility metadata includes an indication of a proven sequence of compatible firmware between two firmware versions. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 preventing a firmware installation if the updated firmware compatibility metadata indicates that the candidate firmware image is incompatible.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 allowing a firmware installation if the updated firmware compatibility metadata indicates that the candidate firmware image is compatible.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein downloading firmware compatibility metadata includes downloading firmware compatibility metadata over the worldwide web. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the firmware compatibility data is downloaded separately from the firmware. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the firmware compatibility data was developed at a time later than the firmware was downloaded. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a path from the current firmware version to a desired firmware version, wherein the path includes a sequence of firmware versions, wherein the firmware compatibility metadata indicates that each subsequent firmware version in the sequence is compatible with each previous firmware version in the sequence.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the path allows an upgrade from the currently-installed firmware version to a more recent firmware version. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the path allows regression from the currently-installed firmware version to a previous firmware version. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 automatically downloading intermediate versions of the firmware image that are needed in order to follow a tested upgrade or back-leveling sequence.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metadata is downloaded as an extensible markup language file. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the updated firmware compatibility metadata is stored as a matrix of known compatibility paths. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the matrix becomes more complete over time due to periodic updating of the firmware compatibility metadata. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing the updated firmware compatibility metadata along with the firmware currently-installed on the product.