Correcting a failure associated with a current firmware image

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for correcting a failure associated with a current firmware image are provided. Embodiments include a firmware selection module detecting the failure associated with the current firmware image stored in firmware memory corresponding to a component of a system. Embodiments also include the firmware selection module selecting from a plurality of backup firmware images, a replacement firmware image based on a status of at least one backup firmware image in response to detecting the failure. Embodiments also include the firmware selection module storing the selected replacement firmware image in the firmware memory.

1 . A method of correcting a failure associated with a current firmware image, the method comprising:
 detecting, by a firmware selection module, the failure associated with the current firmware image stored in firmware memory corresponding to a component of a system;   in response to detecting the failure, selecting from a plurality of backup firmware images, by the firmware selection module, a replacement firmware image based on a status of at least one backup firmware image; and   storing, by the firmware selection module, the selected replacement firmware image in the firmware memory.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein selecting the replacement firmware image includes:
 selecting from the plurality of backup firmware images, a last-stored backup firmware image; 
 determining whether a status of the last-stored backup firmware image is bad; 
 if the status of the last-stored backup firmware image is bad, selecting another backup firmware image as the replacement firmware image; and 
 if the status of the last-stored backup firmware image is not bad, determining whether the current firmware image substantially matches the last-stored backup firmware image; 
 if the current firmware image does not substantially match the last-stored backup firmware image, selecting the last-stored backup firmware image as the replacement firmware image; and 
 if the current firmware image does substantially match the last-stored backup firmware image, selecting another backup firmware image as the replacement firmware image. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein selecting the replacement firmware image includes:
 if the current firmware image does substantially match the last-stored backup firmware image, setting the status of the last-stored backup firmware image to bad. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 identifying, by the firmware selection module, a new firmware image; 
 determining, by the firmware selection module, whether a status of the last-stored backup firmware image is good, wherein the last-stored backup firmware image is stored in a first backup location; 
 if the status of the last-stored backup firmware image is not good, storing, by the firmware selection module, the new firmware image in the first backup location; and 
 if the status of the last-stored backup firmware image is good, storing, by the firmware selection module, the new firmware image in a second backup location. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising setting a status of the new firmware image to new. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the component is a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (‘UEFI’). 
     
     
         7 - 20 . (canceled)