Method and system for identifying compatibility between firmware images

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for implementing a method for identifying compatibility between firmware images, said computer executable instructions when executed perform the steps of:

• analyzing a control block of each of said firmware images, wherein each of said control blocks includes a firmware family code and a compatibility table of a firmware image associated with said control block;
• determining if said firmware family codes of said firmware images are the same;
• and
• evaluating said compatibility tables to determine if said firmware images are compatible in response to said determination that said firmware family codes of said firmware images are not the same, wherein each of said compatibility tables describes the relationship between an associated firmware image and other family codes.

A data processing system, comprising:

• a processor;
• a non-volatile memory, coupled to said processor;
• a firmware image resident in said non-volatile memory;
• and
• a firmware family control block, wherein said firmware family control block is associated with said firmware and includes:
• a firmware family code of said firmware image;
• and
• at least one compatibility table entry.

A method for upgrading an installed firmware with a candidate firmware, comprising:

• determining if each of said installed and candidate firmwares has a control block, wherein each of said control blocks includes a firmware family code, firmware stepping level and compatibility table of an associated firmware;
• acquiring firmware family codes and firmware stepping levels of said installed and candidate firmwares in response to said determination that both of said installed and candidate firmwares have a control block;
• comparing said family codes and said stepping levels of said installed and candidate firmwares;
• and
• determining if said installed and candidate firmwares are compatible utilizing said compatibility tables in response to said family codes and said stepping levels of said installed and candidate firmwares not matching.

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for implementing a method for upgrading an installed firmware with a candidate firmware, said computer executable instructions when executed perform the steps of:

• determining if each of said installed and candidate firmwares has a control block, wherein each of said control blocks includes a firmware family code, firmware stepping level and compatibility table of an associated firmware;
• acquiring firmware family codes and firmware stepping levels of said installed and candidate firmwares in response to said determination that both of said installed and candidate firmwares have a control block;
• comparing said family codes and said stepping levels of said installed and candidate firmwares;
• and
• determining if said installed and candidate firmwares are compatible utilizing said compatibility tables in response to said family codes and said stepping levels of said installed and candidate firmwares not matching.