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Microsoft patents server update method that keeps virtual machines running

This patent describes a method for updating server firmware without shutting down the virtual machines running on it. The system temporarily moves the server's memory data to a shared, hot-plugged memory module while the update happens, then moves it back once finished.

Why it mattersThis improves cloud reliability by allowing data centers to patch hardware without causing downtime for customer applications.

In the filing’s own words

Methods, systems, and devices for providing firmware management using a firmware management engine of a cloud computing system are described. The firmware management engine supports using a hot-plugged memory (e.g., Compute Express Link (CXL) pooled memory) to temporarily migrate system memory (e.g., Central Processing Unit (CPU) local memory or CXL attached memory) of a server node, while performing firmware management operations (e.g., a firmware update) on the server node. The hot-plugged memory can be CXL pooled memory that is a shared at a rack level, the CXL pooled memory can be used to store system memory data of system memory while updating and activating new memory initialization firmware code. A virtual machine associated with the server node stays operational temporarily using the hot-plugged memory. Firmware management is performed on a server node while virtual machines associated with the server node and the system memory of the server node remain operational.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A computerized system comprising: one or more computer processors; and computer memory storing computer-useable instructions that, when used by the one or more computer processors, cause the one or more computer processors to perform operations, the operations comprising: attaching a hot-plugged memory to a server node, wherein the server node is associated with a firmware update for a system memory that stores system memory data, the system memory data is associated with a virtual machine (VM) of the server node; communicating a first indication to freeze the VM, causing the VM to stop the VM from operating with the system memory, wherein the first indication to freeze enables migrating the system memory data to the hot-plugged memory; communicating a first indication to unfreeze the VM, causing the VM to start operating with the system memory data in the hot-plugged memory; causing an update of the system memory using the firmware update; receiving an indication of an outcome of the update of the system memory; communicating a second indication to freeze the VM, causing the VM to stop from operating with the system memory, wherein the second indication to freeze enables migrating hot-plugged memory data to the system memory; and communicating a second indication to unfreeze the VM, causing the VM to start VM operating with the hot-plugged memory data in the system memory.

Facts

Company
Microsoft (Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC)
Official title
Firmware management engine for integrated system memory management and firmware provisioning
Patent number
US12761905B2
Application number
18755049
Filed
Jun 26, 2024
Granted
Oct 13, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
20

Classified under

G06F 8/656 Physics & computingG06F 8/66 Physics & computingG06F 9/45558 Physics & computingG06F 2009/45575 Physics & computingG06F 2009/45583 Physics & computing
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.