Method and apparatus for concurrent update and activation of partition firmware on a logical partitioned data processing system

A logical partitioned data processing system, the logical partitioned data processing system method comprising:

• first loading means for loading a first module in the partition firmware for a partition within a set of partitions, wherein the first module provides an interface for receiving calls from an operating system in the partition;
• second loading means for loading a second module in the partition firmware for the partition, wherein the second module is loaded by the first module and wherein the second module provides a plurality of functions;
• and
• routing means for routing calls received at the interface of the first module to the second module, wherein the second module executes functions in response to the calls.

A logical partitioned data processing system comprising:

• a bus system;
• a memory connected to the bus system, wherein the memory includes a set of instructions;
• a processing unit having a plurality of processors and being connected to the bus system, wherein the processing unit executes the set of instructions to load a first module in the partition firmware for a partition within a set of partitions, wherein the first module provides an interface for receiving calls from an operating system in the partition;
• load a second module in the partition firmware for the partition, wherein the second module is loaded by the first module and wherein the second module provides a plurality of functions;
• and route calls received at the interface of the first module to the second module, wherein the second module executes functions in response to the calls.

A computer program product in a computer readable medium for updating partition firmware in a logical partitioned data processing system, the computer program product comprising:

• first instructions for loading a first module in the partition firmware for a partition within a set of partitions, wherein the first module provides an interface for receiving calls from an operating system in the partition;
• second instructions for loading a second module in the partition firmware for the partition, wherein the second module is loaded by the first module and wherein the second module provides a plurality of functions;
• and
• third instructions for routing calls received at the interface of the first module to the second module, wherein the second module executes functions in response to the calls.