Method for recovering basic input/output system image file of a computer system and the computer system

A method for recovering a basic input/output system (BIOS) image file of a computer system, the computer system communicating with a remote server that stores a new version of the BIOS image file via a communication network, and including a flash memory for storing a current version of the BIOS image file, a processor, a baseboard management controller (BMC), a control chipset electrically connected between the processor and the BMC, and a switch unit electrically connected among the flash memory, the control chipset and the BMC, the method comprising steps of:

• when the BIOS image data of the computer system is to be updated, controlling, by the BMC, the switch unit to switch from a first state to a second state, the switch unit being in the first state by default and electrically connecting the flash memory and the control chipset and electrically disconnecting the flash memory from the BMC in the first state, the switch unit electrically connecting the flash memory and the BMC and electrically disconnecting the flash memory from the control chipset in the second state;
• reading, by the BMC, the current version of the BIOS image file from the flash memory so as to store the same in the BMC as a backup;
• reading, by the BMC, the new version of the BIOS image file from the remote server so as to store the new version of the BIOS image file in the flash memory to overwrite the current version of the BIOS image file;
• determining, by the BMC, whether the BIOS image file stored in the flash memory is successfully updated to the new version of the BIOS image file;
• and
• when it is determined that the BIOS image file stored in the flash memory is not successfully updated, writing, by the BMC, the current version of the BIOS image file stored therein into the flash memory.

A computer system comprising:

• a flash memory storing a current version of a basic input/output system (BIOS) image file of said computer system;
• a control chipset configured to be electrically connected to a storage device that stores a new version of the BIOS image file;
• a processor electrically connected to said control chipset, and configured to output a first command when the BIOS image file is to be updated;
• a switch unit including a first terminal electrically connected to said flash memory, a second terminal electrically connected to said control chipset, a third terminal, and a control terminal, said switch unit being operable to switch between a first state, which said first terminal and said second terminal are conducted, and a second state, in which said first terminal and said third terminal are conducted, said switch unit being configured to operate in the first state by default;
• and
• a baseboard management controller (BMC) electrically connected to said third terminal and said control terminal of said switch unit, electrically connected to said control chipset through a transmission interface therebetween, and configured to output a control signal to said control terminal so as to control said switch unit to switch between the first state and the second state,
• wherein, upon receipt of a first command from said processor through said control chipset and the transmission interface, said BMC outputs the control signal to said control terminal to control said switch unit to switch from the first state to the second state for electrically connecting said flash memory and said BMC and electrically disconnecting said flash memory from said chipset, and reads the current version of the BIOS image file from said flash memory so as to store the same therein as a backup,
• wherein, after the current version of the BIOS image file is stored in the BMC, said BMC outputs the control signal to said control terminal to control said switch unit to switch from the second state to the first state for electrically connecting said flash memory and said control chipset and electrically disconnecting the flash memory from the BMC, and said processor controls said control chipset to read the new version of the BIOS image file from the storage device and to store the new version of the BIOS image file in the flash memory to overwrite the current version of the BIOS image file,
• wherein, when the BIOS image file stored in the flash memory is not successfully updated, said BMC outputs the control signal to said control terminal to control said switch unit to switch from the first state to the second state, and writes the current version of the BIOS image file stored in said BMC into said flash memory.