Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Jiming Sun

Tsung Ho Wu

Bradshaw Darrow Austin

Jian Liu

Communication links, such as peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) links between two PCIe-compatible devices, can be checked during a boot process to determine whether those links were established and trained successfully. Firmware, such as Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), can be programmed to determine links for which there are PCIe devices, and determine whether those links were established with the correct values for one or more connection parameters (e.g., speed and width). If one or more of these links was not established with the correct parameter values, the BIOS can perform up to a maximum or threshold number of retrain attempts. If those retrain attempts are unsuccessful, the BIOS can attempt up to a maximum or threshold number of reboot attempts. If, after a maximum number of reboot actions, one or more links still have not been established and trained successfully, a remedial action can be taken.

Communication link recovery

An update process for updating components of one or more host devices includes selecting an update path for updating a system component of the one or more host devices and generating an update manifest including a plurality of update payloads for the system component that are included in the update path. The update path may be selected and/or derived based on a multi-stage combination of a hash of an update payload corresponding to a current version of the system component and respective hashes of the one or more update payloads using a reversible function to maintain backward and forward trackability and compatibility for the updates. A plurality of possible update paths may be represented in a directed graph that is managed by a control system. The update payloads may be uploaded to the host devices to cause the host devices to update the system component based on the update manifest.

Upgrading system components with forward and backward compatibility

Various embodiments provide for the live updating of system software or firmware, such as BIOS information, without the need for a reboot. A payload containing BIOS update information can be generated and signed with an encryption key. The information in the payload is able to be updated through a live update, and can be selected in part based on the configuration and BIOS version of the computing device to be updated. Upon an update being triggered, a target device is placed into a management mode wherein normal work is suspended and the device is isolated. The payload is verified and decrypted, and appropriate functions called in order to update the relevant BIOS information. After the update is verified, the device exits management mode and resumes a typical workflow. If the update is not successful, or unable to be performed via live update, a conventional update can be performed that includes a reboot.

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Issaquah, WA, United States of America

Jiming Sun