Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.P.

James Lawrence Marsh

Terry Ping-Chung Lee

R Scott Holbrook

Eugene L Jung

A method of allocating memory in a memory unit includes creating a data structure containing a list of all available memory segments; and assigning a bias to each available memory segment. The bias indicates how to allocate that available memory segment in response to a resource request wherein the resource request is for a new entry in the memory unit that will be fragmented with at least two fragments of the new entry in the memory unit at being at different locations in the memory unit, the bias for an available memory segment comprising an indication of where within the new fragmented entry to be made in the memory unit a corresponding available memory segment should be used.

Method of allocating memory

A system and a method that uses a software application operable under a current firmware/operating system configuration to install a new firmware version without 'compromising' the operating system are presented. The software application may configure a computer system to install a plurality of software fixes configured to enhance functionality under a new firmware/operating system environment after the firmware has been successfully upgraded. Such functionality enhancements may be associated with external peripherals, as well as, input/output circuit cards, processors, and the like. In addition, the software application may configure the computing device to 'boot' under the new firmware/operating system environment upon subsequent system initializations. Furthermore, the software application permits the distribution of firmware upgrades via a network. The capability to install firmware remotely permits a system administrator to &#x201c;push&#x201d; the new firmware to a plurality of network coupled computing devices, thus avoiding manual intervention at each device.

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Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

James Lawrence Marsh