Firmware update control mechanism using organizational groups

Abstract

System and methods are provided for distributing firmware updates to groups of IHSs (Information Handling Systems) managed by an organization. The organization managing the IHSs specifies categorizations for each IHS that are used to separate the managed IHSs into firmware update groups. A GUID (Global Unique Identifier) is assigned to each IHS, in some scenarios during the manufacture of the IHS. The assigned GUID specifies one or more firmware update groups to which an IHS has been assigned. The organization, or other technical support entity, utilizes a firmware distribution system for delivery of firmware updates to supported IHSs. The organization signals the delivery of updates to a firmware update group by specifying the group's GUID to the firmware distribution service. The IHS, identified by its assigned GUID, queries a firmware distribution services in order to determine whether new firmware updates have been made available to its assigned firmware update group.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.