Method of operating a data processing system having a dynamic software update facility
December 4, 2012. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesDynamic configuration for added devices Dynamic alteration of firmware programs in Read-Only Memory based systems Computer device for aiding in the development of software system Method for extracting and/or replacing control system information in a computer operating system Cache memory address modifier for dynamic alteration of cache block fetch sequence Method and apparatus for program updating Multiprocessing system having nodes containing a processor and an associated memory module with dynamically allocated local/global storage in the memory modules System for updating program stored in EEPROM by storing new version into new location and updating second transfer vector to contain starting address of new version Patent #: 5210854 InventorApplicationNo. 985762 filed on 12/04/1992US Classes:717/169, Including multiple files718/100TASK MANAGEMENT OR CONTROLExaminersPrimary: Heckler, Thomas M.Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassG06F 009/06AbstractA dynamic software update facility (DSUF) is installed in a data processing system for the purpose of non-disruptively replacing old operating system programs or modules with new updated versions thereof while providing continuous availability and operation of the system. The new versions are loaded into the system along with change instructions providing information controlling the update. Task or process control blocks contain markers indicating the corresponding tasks are safe or unsafe to run the new programs. The markers are set initially to unsafe. A change descriptor table is stored and contains control information derived from the change instructions. When the DSUF is activated, an interrupt handler is installed and traps are stored in the old programs at entry points and safety points therein. Entry point traps are tripped when a task or process enters the old program and interrupts are generated that are handled by the interrupt handler to route tasks which are unsafe to the old program and tasks which are safe to a new program. When all tasks are safe, the new programs replace the old programs. When safety point traps are tripped, a task or process may change its state from unsafe to safe when predetermined conditions are met.Other References
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