Disclosure of Invention
The embodiment of the invention provides a file processing method, a device, a system, equipment and a storage medium, which can reduce the file transmission time between a BMC and a BIOS of a server, improve the starting speed of the server and save the storage space of the BMC.
In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a file processing method, applied in a BIOS, including:
in the current starting process of the server, sending a file state query request to a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC); the file state query request is used for requesting the BMC to feed back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server;
when the BIOS configuration file modification state fed back by the BMC is modified, downloading a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from a file storage module of the BMC through a file downloading interface provided by the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol;
performing parameter configuration according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file;
and generating a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server according to the configured parameter value, and sending the current compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file uploading interface provided by the BMC.
Optionally, the method further includes:
after the first starting process of the server is completed, generating a compressed BIOS attribute file and a compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server according to the BIOS attribute information and the BIOS configuration information corresponding to the server;
and sending the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file uploading interface provided by the baseboard management controller BMC.
Optionally, the configuring parameters according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file includes:
decompressing the modified compressed BIOS configuration file by using a decompression algorithm corresponding to the compression format of the modified compressed BIOS configuration file to obtain a modified BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server;
and configuring the parameters to be configured in the BIOS of the basic input and output system according to the modified BIOS configuration file.
In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a file processing method, applied to a BMC, including:
when detecting a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to a server uploaded by a user, storing the modified compressed BIOS configuration file to a file storage module, and updating the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to be modified;
when a file state query request sent by a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of the server is detected, feeding back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server to the BIOS so that the BIOS downloads a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from the file storage module through a file download interface provided by the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol, and configuring parameters according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file;
and receiving a current compressed BIOS configuration file which is sent by using a hypertext transfer protocol and corresponds to the server after the BIOS is configured through a file uploading interface, and replacing the compressed BIOS configuration file which is stored in the file storage module and corresponds to the server with the current compressed BIOS configuration file.
In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a file processing apparatus, configured in a BIOS, including:
the state query module is used for sending a file state query request to the BMC (baseboard management controller) in the current starting process of the server; the file state query request is used for requesting the BMC to feed back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server;
the file downloading module is used for downloading a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from a file storage module of the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file downloading interface provided by the BMC when the modification state of the BIOS configuration file fed back by the BMC is detected to be modified;
the parameter configuration module is used for carrying out parameter configuration according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file;
and the configuration file sending module is used for generating a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server according to the configured parameter value, and sending the current compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file uploading interface provided by the BMC.
In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a file processing apparatus configured in a BMC, including:
the state updating module is used for storing the modified compressed BIOS configuration file to the file storage module when the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server uploaded by a user is detected, and updating the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server into a modified state;
the state feedback module is used for feeding back the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to the BIOS when detecting a file state query request sent by the BIOS of the server, so that the BIOS downloads the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from the file storage module by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file downloading interface provided by the BMC, and performs parameter configuration according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file;
and the configuration file replacing module is used for receiving the current compressed BIOS configuration file which is sent by using a hypertext transfer protocol and corresponds to the server after the BIOS is configured through a file uploading interface, and replacing the compressed BIOS configuration file which is stored in the file storage module and corresponds to the server with the current compressed BIOS configuration file.
In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a file processing system, including:
a base plate management controller BMC, and a basic input output system BIOS in at least one server corresponding to the base plate management controller BMC;
each BIOS is used for sending a file state query request to a baseboard management controller BMC in the current starting process of the server; the file state query request is used for requesting the BMC to feed back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server; when the BIOS configuration file modification state fed back by the BMC is modified, downloading a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from a file storage module of the BMC through a file downloading interface provided by the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol; performing parameter configuration according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file; generating a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server according to the configured parameter value, and sending the current compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file uploading interface provided by the BMC;
the BMC is used for storing the modified compressed BIOS configuration file to a file storage module when detecting the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server uploaded by a user, and updating the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to be modified; when a file state query request sent by a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of the server is detected, feeding back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server to the BIOS; and receiving a current compressed BIOS configuration file which is sent by using a hypertext transfer protocol and corresponds to the server after the BIOS is configured through a file uploading interface, and replacing the compressed BIOS configuration file which is stored in the file storage module and corresponds to the server with the current compressed BIOS configuration file.
In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer device, where the computer device includes:
one or more processors;
storage means for storing one or more programs;
when the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors are caused to implement the file processing method according to any embodiment of the present invention.
In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions, where the computer-executable instructions, when executed by a computer processor, implement the file processing method according to any embodiment of the present invention.
According to the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention, in the current starting process of the server, a file state query request is sent to the BMC, and the BMC is requested to feed back the BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server; when the modification state of the BIOS configuration file fed back by the BMC is detected to be modified, a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is downloaded from a file storage module of the BMC through a file downloading interface provided by the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol, finally, parameter configuration is carried out according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file, a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is generated according to a configured parameter value, the current compressed BIOS configuration file is sent to the BMC through a file uploading interface provided by the BMC by using the hypertext transfer protocol, and the compressed BIOS configuration file after compression processing can be downloaded through the file downloading interface provided by the BMC under the condition that a user is determined to upload the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to the BMC in the current starting process of the server, the file transmission time between the BIOS and the BMC of the server is shortened, the starting speed of the server is improved, the BMC can store the compressed BIOS configuration file, the BIOS configuration file is prevented from occupying a large storage space in the BMC, and the BMC storage space is saved; after the first starting process of the server is completed, the BIOS attribute file and the BIOS configuration file are compressed, and then file transmission and file storage are performed, so that the file transmission time between the BIOS and the BMC of the server is shortened, the starting speed of the server is improved, the BIOS attribute file and the BIOS configuration file are prevented from occupying a large storage space in the BMC, and the BMC storage space is saved; the basic input/output system BIOS of the server can automatically complete the BIOS parameter configuration process in the starting process of the server according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file, so that the starting efficiency of the server is improved; the file storage and the file transmission can be carried out on the compressed BIOS configuration file, so that the file transmission time between the BIOS and the BMC of the server is reduced, the starting speed of the server is improved, the BIOS configuration file is prevented from occupying a large storage space in the BMC, and the BMC storage space is saved; the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file can be subjected to file transmission and file storage, so that the file transmission time between the BIOS of the server and the BMC is shortened, the starting speed of the server is improved, the BIOS attribute file and the BIOS configuration file are prevented from occupying a large storage space in the BMC, and the BMC storage space is saved; the baseboard management controller BMC can automatically provide the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file for a user, so that the user can modify the BIOS configuration information in time according to real-time service requirements, and the starting efficiency of the server is improved.
Detailed Description
The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not limiting of the invention. It should be further noted that, for the convenience of description, only some of the structures related to the present invention are shown in the drawings, not all of the structures.
Example one
Fig. 1 is a flowchart of a file processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of the invention can be suitable for the condition of file transmission between the baseboard management controller BMC and the BIOS of each managed server. The method can be executed by the file processing device provided by the embodiment of the invention, and the device can be realized in a software and/or hardware manner and can be generally integrated in a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) in a server.
As shown in fig. 1, the method of the embodiment of the present invention specifically includes:
step 101, in the current starting process of the server, sending a file state query request to a baseboard management controller BMC.
The file state query request is used for requesting the BMC to feed back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server.
Optionally, the BIOS in the server is a set of programs on a rom chip on a motherboard in the server, and stores the most important basic input and output programs of the server, the power-on self-test program, the system self-start program, and the like. The primary function of the BIOS in the server is to provide the lowest-level, most direct hardware setup and control for the server.
Optionally, the BIOS includes one or more parameters to be configured. The parameters to be configured are the parameters needing to be configured in the BIOS. For example, relevant parameters for setting a drive start-up sequence in the server, parameters for setting an external cache memory in the server, and the like.
Optionally, the method further includes: after the first starting process of the server is completed, generating a compressed BIOS attribute file and a compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server according to the BIOS attribute information and the BIOS configuration information corresponding to the server; and sending the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file uploading interface provided by the baseboard management controller BMC.
Optionally, the BIOS attribute information corresponding to the server is attribute information of each parameter to be configured included in a basic input output system BIOS in the server. The attribute information of the parameter to be configured may include a name of the parameter to be configured, function description information, and a parameter value range. Each parameter to be configured corresponds to a name. According to the name of the parameter to be configured, different parameters to be configured can be distinguished. The function description information of the parameter to be configured is used for describing the function of the parameter to be configured. The value range of the parameter to be configured comprises all the optional parameter values corresponding to the parameter to be configured.
Optionally, the BIOS configuration information corresponding to the server is configuration information of each parameter to be configured included in a basic input output system BIOS pre-stored in the server. The configuration information of the parameter to be configured includes the name of the parameter to be configured and the parameter value corresponding to the parameter to be configured.
Optionally, the generating a compressed BIOS attribute file and a compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server according to the BIOS attribute information and the BIOS configuration information corresponding to the server includes: acquiring BIOS attribute information and BIOS configuration information corresponding to the server; generating a BIOS attribute file corresponding to the server according to the BIOS attribute information corresponding to the server; generating a BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server according to the BIOS configuration information corresponding to the server; and respectively compressing the BIOS attribute file and the BIOS configuration file by using a preset compression algorithm to obtain a compressed BIOS attribute file and a compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server.
Optionally, the obtaining of the BIOS attribute information and the BIOS configuration information corresponding to the server includes: and reading the BIOS attribute information and the BIOS configuration information corresponding to the server from a storage device in the server. The storage device in the server may be software and/or hardware in the server for storing various types of information related to the server. And the BIOS attribute information and the BIOS configuration information corresponding to the server are stored in a storage device in the server. The storage device includes, but is not limited to, a non-volatile memory.
Optionally, generating a BIOS attribute file corresponding to the server according to the BIOS attribute information corresponding to the server includes: establishing a file for storing BIOS attribute information corresponding to the server; the file format includes, but is not limited to, a data interchange format (JavaScript Object notification, JSON); and filling the BIOS attribute information corresponding to the server into the file to obtain the BIOS attribute file corresponding to the server. The BIOS attribute file corresponding to the server is a file storing BIOS attribute information corresponding to the server.
Optionally, generating a BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server according to the BIOS configuration information corresponding to the server includes: establishing a file for storing BIOS configuration information corresponding to the server; the file format includes, but is not limited to, a data interchange format (JavaScript Object notification, JSON); and filling the BIOS configuration information corresponding to the server into the file to obtain the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server. The BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is a file storing BIOS configuration information corresponding to the server.
Optionally, the preset compression algorithm includes, but is not limited to, a file compression algorithm GZip, and a compression method Lempel-Ziv. And the compressed BIOS attribute file corresponding to the server is the compressed BIOS attribute file corresponding to the server. The compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server.
Therefore, in the embodiment of the invention, the basic input/output system BIOS of the server can automatically generate the BIOS attribute file and the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server after the first starting process of the server is completed, and compress the BIOS attribute file and the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server, so that the capacity of the BIOS attribute file and the BIOS configuration file is reduced, and the transmission efficiency of the subsequent file transmission process is improved.
Optionally, the baseboard management controller BMC is configured to manage the server. And communication connection between the baseboard management controller BMC and the BIOS of the server is established in advance.
Optionally, the file upload interface is an interface based on a hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) provided by the BMC, and is configured to receive a file or other data sent by the BIOS through the HTTP.
Optionally, the BIOS sends the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC through a file upload interface provided by the BMC using a hypertext transfer protocol. The BMC receives a compressed BIOS attribute file and a compressed BIOS configuration file which are sent by a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of a server by using a hypertext transfer protocol and correspond to the server through a file uploading interface. And then the BMC stores the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to a file storage module.
Therefore, after the first starting process of the server is completed, the embodiment of the invention can firstly compress the BIOS attribute file and the BIOS configuration file, and then carry out file transmission and file storage, thereby reducing the file transmission time between the BIOS and the BMC of the server, improving the starting speed of the server, avoiding the BIOS attribute file and the BIOS configuration file occupying a larger storage space in the BMC, and saving the BMC storage space.
Optionally, the file storage module is software and/or hardware in the BMC, which is used to store compressed BIOS attribute files and compressed BIOS configuration files corresponding to the servers managed by the BMC.
Optionally, the user obtains the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from the file storage module of the BMC through the terminal device, and decompresses the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file by using a decompression algorithm corresponding to a compression format of the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file to obtain the BIOS attribute file and the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server, so as to determine a name, function description information, a parameter value range, and a parameter value of each parameter to be configured included in a basic input output system BIOS in the server, and a parameter value of a parameter to be configured in the prestored BIOS configuration file.
Optionally, if the parameter value of the parameter to be configured in the pre-stored configuration information cannot meet the service requirement, the user may modify the parameter value of the parameter to be configured in the BIOS configuration file according to the service requirement to obtain a modified BIOS configuration file, and compress the modified BIOS configuration file by using a preset compression algorithm to obtain a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server. And then uploading the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to the BMC through the terminal equipment.
Optionally, the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is set in the BMC, and is used to indicate whether the user uploads the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to the BMC. The BIOS configuration file modification status includes unmodified and modified. In the initial state, the modified state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is unmodified. When detecting the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server uploaded by the user, the BMC stores the modified compressed BIOS configuration file to the file storage module, and updates the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to be modified.
Optionally, the BIOS sends a file state query request to the BMC in a current start-up process of the server, and requests the BMC to feed back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server. And when detecting a file state query request sent by a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of the server, the BMC feeds back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server to the BIOS.
Optionally, if the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is unmodified, it indicates that the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is not uploaded to the BMC by the user, and the BIOS directly sets the parameter value corresponding to each to-be-configured parameter included in the BIOS, which is stored in the server, to the parameter value corresponding to the to-be-configured parameter in the BIOS, so as to complete the BIOS parameter configuration process in the server startup process.
Optionally, if the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is modified, it indicates that the user uploads the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to the BMC, and the BIOS needs to download the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from the BMC, and performs parameter configuration according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server, thereby completing the BIOS parameter configuration process in the server starting process.
And 102, when the BIOS configuration file modification state fed back by the BMC is detected to be modified, downloading the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from a file storage module of the BMC through a file downloading interface provided by the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol.
Optionally, the file download interface is an interface based on a hypertext transfer protocol provided by the baseboard management controller BMC, and is used for downloading a file or other data from a file storage module of the baseboard management controller BMC.
Optionally, when detecting that the modification state of the BIOS configuration file fed back by the BMC is modified, the BIOS of the basic input output system downloads a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from a file storage module by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file download interface provided by the BMC.
And 103, configuring parameters according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file.
Optionally, the configuring parameters according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file includes: decompressing the modified compressed BIOS configuration file by using a decompression algorithm corresponding to the compression format of the modified compressed BIOS configuration file to obtain a modified BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server; and configuring the parameters to be configured in the BIOS of the basic input and output system according to the modified BIOS configuration file.
Optionally, configuring the parameters to be configured in the BIOS of the basic input output system according to the modified BIOS configuration file, including: and the BIOS sets the parameter value corresponding to the parameter to be configured in the modified BIOS configuration file as the parameter value corresponding to the parameter to be configured in the BIOS, thereby completing the BIOS parameter configuration process in the starting process of the server. The modified BIOS configuration file is a modified compressed BIOS configuration file that is decompressed.
Therefore, in the embodiment of the invention, the basic input/output system BIOS of the server can automatically complete the BIOS parameter configuration process in the starting process of the server according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file, so that the starting efficiency of the server is improved.
And 104, generating a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server according to the configured parameter value, and sending the current compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file uploading interface provided by the BMC.
Optionally, after the parameter configuration is completed, the BIOS establishes a file for storing BIOS attribute information corresponding to the server. File formats include, but are not limited to, JSON, among others. And the BIOS fills the name of the parameter to be configured and the parameter value corresponding to the parameter to be configured at the current moment into the file to obtain a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server.
Optionally, the BIOS sends the current compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file upload interface provided by the BMC. And the BMC receives a current compressed BIOS configuration file which is sent by using a hypertext transfer protocol and corresponds to the server after the BIOS is configured through a file uploading interface, and replaces the compressed BIOS configuration file which is stored in the file storage module and corresponds to the server with the current compressed BIOS configuration file.
Therefore, after the parameter configuration process of the BIOS is completed, the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server and stored in the file storage module is correspondingly updated. The user can know the current configuration of the BIOS of the server according to the compressed BIOS configuration file which is stored in the file storage module and corresponds to the server.
The technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention provides a file processing method, which comprises the steps of sending a file state query request to a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) in the current starting process of a server, and requesting the BMC to feed back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server; when the modification state of the BIOS configuration file fed back by the BMC is detected to be modified, a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is downloaded from a file storage module of the BMC through a file downloading interface provided by the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol, finally, parameter configuration is carried out according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file, a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is generated according to a configured parameter value, the current compressed BIOS configuration file is sent to the BMC through a file uploading interface provided by the BMC by using the hypertext transfer protocol, and the compressed BIOS configuration file after compression processing can be downloaded through the file downloading interface provided by the BMC under the condition that a user is determined to upload the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to the BMC in the current starting process of the server, the file transmission time between the BIOS and the BMC of the server is shortened, the starting speed of the server is improved, the BMC can store the compressed BIOS configuration file, the BIOS configuration file is prevented from occupying a large storage space in the BMC, and the BMC storage space is saved.
Example two
Fig. 2 is a flowchart of a file processing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of the invention can be suitable for the condition of file transmission between the baseboard management controller BMC and the BIOS of each managed server. The method may be performed by a file processing apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present invention, and the apparatus may be implemented in software and/or hardware, and may be generally integrated in a BMC. As shown in fig. 2, the method of the embodiment of the present invention specifically includes:
step 201, when detecting a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to a server uploaded by a user, storing the modified compressed BIOS configuration file to a file storage module, and updating a modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to be modified.
Optionally, the baseboard management controller BMC is configured to manage the server. And communication connection between the baseboard management controller BMC and the BIOS of the server is established in advance.
Optionally, the method further includes: receiving a compressed BIOS attribute file and a compressed BIOS configuration file which are sent by a hypertext transfer protocol and correspond to a server after a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of the server finishes a first starting process of the server through a file uploading interface; storing the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to a file storage module; and providing the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to a user.
Optionally, the file uploading interface is an interface based on a hypertext transfer protocol provided by the BMC, and is configured to receive a file or other data sent by the BIOS through the hypertext transfer protocol.
Optionally, the BIOS sends the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC through a file upload interface provided by the BMC using a hypertext transfer protocol. The BMC receives a compressed BIOS attribute file and a compressed BIOS configuration file which are sent by a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of a server by using a hypertext transfer protocol and correspond to the server through a file uploading interface.
Optionally, the file storage module is software and/or hardware in the BMC, which is used to store compressed BIOS attribute files and compressed BIOS configuration files corresponding to the servers managed by the BMC.
Optionally, providing the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to the user includes: and sending the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to a terminal device of a user, so that the user can process the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file through the terminal device and feed back the modified compressed BIOS configuration file.
Therefore, the embodiment of the invention can perform file transmission and file storage on the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file, reduce the file transmission time between the BIOS and the BMC of the server, improve the starting speed of the server, avoid the BIOS attribute file and the BIOS configuration file from occupying larger storage space in the BMC, and save the BMC storage space. In the embodiment of the invention, the baseboard management controller BMC can automatically provide the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file to the user, so that the user can modify the BIOS configuration information in time according to the real-time service requirement, and the starting efficiency of the server is improved.
Optionally, the user obtains the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from the file storage module of the BMC through the terminal device, and decompresses the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file by using a decompression algorithm corresponding to a compression format of the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file to obtain the BIOS attribute file and the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server, so as to determine a name, function description information, a parameter value range, and a parameter value of each parameter to be configured included in a basic input output system BIOS in the server, and a parameter value of a parameter to be configured in the prestored BIOS configuration file.
Optionally, if the parameter value of the parameter to be configured in the pre-stored configuration information cannot meet the service requirement, the user may modify the parameter value of the parameter to be configured in the BIOS configuration file according to the service requirement to obtain a modified BIOS configuration file, and compress the modified BIOS configuration file by using a preset compression algorithm to obtain a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server. And then uploading the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to the BMC through the terminal equipment.
Optionally, when detecting the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server uploaded by the user, the BMC stores the modified compressed BIOS configuration file in a file storage module, and updates the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to be modified.
Optionally, the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is set in the BMC, and is used to indicate whether the user uploads the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to the BMC. The BIOS configuration file modification status includes unmodified and modified. In the initial state, the modified state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is unmodified. When detecting the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server uploaded by the user, the BMC stores the modified compressed BIOS configuration file to the file storage module, and updates the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to be modified.
Step 202, when detecting a file state query request sent by a basic input output system BIOS of the server, feeding back a modification state of a BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to the BIOS, so that the BIOS downloads a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from the file storage module through a file download interface provided by the BMC using a hypertext transfer protocol, and performs parameter configuration according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file.
Optionally, the BIOS sends a file state query request to the BMC in a current start-up process of the server, and requests the BMC to feed back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server. And when detecting a file state query request sent by a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of the server, the BMC feeds back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server to the BIOS.
Optionally, if the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is modified, it indicates that the user uploads the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to the BMC, and the BIOS needs to download the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from the BMC, and performs parameter configuration according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server, thereby completing the BIOS parameter configuration process in the server starting process.
Optionally, if the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is unmodified, it indicates that the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is not uploaded to the BMC by the user, and the BIOS directly sets the parameter value corresponding to each to-be-configured parameter included in the BIOS, which is stored in the server, to the parameter value corresponding to the to-be-configured parameter in the BIOS, so as to complete the BIOS parameter configuration process in the server startup process.
Step 203, receiving a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server, which is sent by using a hypertext transfer protocol after the BIOS is configured, through a file uploading interface, and replacing the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server, which is stored in the file storage module, with the current compressed BIOS configuration file.
Optionally, after the parameter configuration is completed, the BIOS establishes a file for storing BIOS attribute information corresponding to the server. File formats include, but are not limited to, JSON, among others. And the BIOS fills the name of the parameter to be configured and the parameter value corresponding to the parameter to be configured at the current moment into the file to obtain a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server.
Optionally, the BIOS sends the current compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file upload interface provided by the BMC. And the BMC receives a current compressed BIOS configuration file which is sent by using a hypertext transfer protocol and corresponds to the server after the BIOS is configured through a file uploading interface, and replaces the compressed BIOS configuration file which is stored in the file storage module and corresponds to the server with the current compressed BIOS configuration file.
Therefore, after the parameter configuration process of the BIOS is completed, the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server and stored in the file storage module is correspondingly updated. The user can know the current configuration of the BIOS of the server according to the compressed BIOS configuration file which is stored in the file storage module and corresponds to the server.
The technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention provides a file processing method, which comprises the steps of storing a modified compressed BIOS configuration file to a file storage module when the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to a server uploaded by a user is detected, and updating the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to be modified; when a file state query request sent by a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of a server is detected, the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is fed back to the BIOS, so that the BIOS downloads a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from a file storage module through a file downloading interface provided by a BMC (baseboard management controller) by using a hypertext transfer protocol, parameter configuration is carried out according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file, a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server and sent by the BIOS after the configuration is completed is received through a file uploading interface, the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server and stored in the file storage module is replaced by the current compressed BIOS configuration file, file storage and file transmission can be carried out on the compressed BIOS configuration file, and the file transmission time between the BIOS of the server and the BMC is reduced, the starting speed of the server is improved, the BIOS configuration file is prevented from occupying a large storage space in the BMC, and the BMC storage space is saved.
EXAMPLE III
Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a file processing method according to a third embodiment of the present invention, including the following steps:
step 301, when detecting a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to a server uploaded by a user, the BMC stores the modified compressed BIOS configuration file in a file storage module, and updates a modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to a modified state.
Step 302, the BIOS of the server sends a file status query request to the BMC during the current start-up process of the server.
The file state query request is used for requesting the BMC to feed back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server.
Step 303, when detecting the file status query request sent by the BIOS, the BMC feeds back the BIOS configuration file modification status corresponding to the server to the BIOS.
And 304, when detecting that the modification state of the BIOS configuration file fed back by the BMC is modified, the BIOS downloads the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from a file storage module of the BMC through a file downloading interface provided by the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol.
And 305, the BIOS performs parameter configuration according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file.
Step 306, the BIOS generates a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server according to the configured parameter value, and sends the current compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file upload interface provided by the BMC.
Step 307, the BMC receives, through a file upload interface, a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server, which is sent by using a hypertext transfer protocol after the BIOS is configured, and replaces the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server, which is stored in the file storage module, with the current compressed BIOS configuration file.
The technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention provides a file processing method, which can perform file transmission and file storage after compressing the BIOS configuration file, reduce the file transmission time between the BIOS and the BMC of the server, improve the starting speed of the server, avoid the BIOS configuration file occupying a larger storage space in the BMC, and save the storage space of the BMC.
Example four
Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a file processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus may be configured in a BIOS, as shown in fig. 4, and includes: a status query module 401, a file download module 402, a parameter configuration module 403, and a configuration file sending module 404.
The state query module 401 is configured to send a file state query request to the BMC in a current starting process of the server; the file state query request is used for requesting the BMC to feed back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server; a file downloading module 402, configured to, when it is detected that the modification state of the BIOS configuration file fed back by the BMC is modified, download, through a file downloading interface provided by the BMC, a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from a file storage module of the BMC using a hypertext transfer protocol; a parameter configuration module 403, configured to perform parameter configuration according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file; a configuration file sending module 404, configured to generate a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server according to the configured parameter value, and send the current compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file upload interface provided by the BMC.
The technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention provides a file processing device, which is characterized in that a file state query request is sent to a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) in the current starting process of a server, and the BMC is requested to feed back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server; when the modification state of the BIOS configuration file fed back by the BMC is detected to be modified, a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is downloaded from a file storage module of the BMC through a file downloading interface provided by the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol, finally, parameter configuration is carried out according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file, a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is generated according to a configured parameter value, the current compressed BIOS configuration file is sent to the BMC through a file uploading interface provided by the BMC by using the hypertext transfer protocol, and the compressed BIOS configuration file after compression processing can be downloaded through the file downloading interface provided by the BMC under the condition that a user is determined to upload the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to the BMC in the current starting process of the server, the file transmission time between the BIOS and the BMC of the server is shortened, the starting speed of the server is improved, the BMC can store the compressed BIOS configuration file, the BIOS configuration file is prevented from occupying a large storage space in the BMC, and the BMC storage space is saved.
In an optional implementation manner of the embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the file processing apparatus further includes: the file generation module is used for generating a compressed BIOS attribute file and a compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server according to the BIOS attribute information and the BIOS configuration information corresponding to the server after the first starting process of the server is completed; and the file sending module is used for sending the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file uploading interface provided by the baseboard management controller BMC.
In an optional implementation manner of the embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the parameter configuration module 403 is specifically configured to: decompressing the modified compressed BIOS configuration file by using a decompression algorithm corresponding to the compression format of the modified compressed BIOS configuration file to obtain a modified BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server; and configuring the parameters to be configured in the BIOS of the basic input and output system according to the modified BIOS configuration file.
With regard to the apparatus in the above-described embodiment, the specific manner in which each module performs the operation has been described in detail in the embodiment related to the method, and will not be elaborated here.
EXAMPLE five
Fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a file processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus may be configured in a baseboard management controller BMC, as shown in fig. 5, and includes: a status update module 501, a status feedback module 502, and a profile replacement module 503.
The state updating module 501 is configured to, when detecting a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to a server uploaded by a user, store the modified compressed BIOS configuration file in the file storage module, and update a modified state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to a modified state; a state feedback module 502, configured to, when a file state query request sent by a BIOS of the server is detected, feed back a modification state of a BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to the BIOS, so that the BIOS downloads, through a file download interface provided by the BMC, a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from the file storage module using a hypertext transfer protocol, and perform parameter configuration according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file; a configuration file replacing module 503, configured to receive, through a file uploading interface, a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server and sent by using a hypertext transfer protocol after the BIOS is configured, and replace the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server and stored in the file storage module with the current compressed BIOS configuration file.
The technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention provides a file processing device, which stores the modified compressed BIOS configuration file to a file storage module and updates the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to a server to be modified when the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server uploaded by a user is detected; when a file state query request sent by a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of a server is detected, the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server is fed back to the BIOS, so that the BIOS downloads a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from a file storage module through a file downloading interface provided by a BMC (baseboard management controller) by using a hypertext transfer protocol, parameter configuration is carried out according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file, a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server and sent by the BIOS after the configuration is completed is received through a file uploading interface, the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server and stored in the file storage module is replaced by the current compressed BIOS configuration file, file storage and file transmission can be carried out on the compressed BIOS configuration file, and the file transmission time between the BIOS of the server and the BMC is reduced, the starting speed of the server is improved, the BIOS configuration file is prevented from occupying a large storage space in the BMC, and the BMC storage space is saved.
In an optional implementation manner of the embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the file processing apparatus further includes: the file receiving module is used for receiving a compressed BIOS attribute file and a compressed BIOS configuration file which are sent by a hypertext transfer protocol and correspond to the server after the primary starting process of the server of a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of the server is finished through a file uploading interface; the file storage module is used for storing the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to the file storage module; and the file providing module is used for providing the compressed BIOS attribute file and the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to a user.
With regard to the apparatus in the above-described embodiment, the specific manner in which each module performs the operation has been described in detail in the embodiment related to the method, and will not be elaborated here.
EXAMPLE six
Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a file processing system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 6, the system includes: a baseboard management controller BMC 601, and a BIOS 602 in at least one server corresponding to the baseboard management controller BMC 601.
Each BIOS 602 is configured to send a file status query request to the BMC 601 in a current start-up process of the server; the file state query request is used for requesting the BMC 601 to feed back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server; when the BIOS configuration file modification state fed back by the BMC 601 is detected to be modified, downloading a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from a file storage module of the BMC 601 by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file downloading interface provided by the BMC 601; performing parameter configuration according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file; generating a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server according to the configured parameter value, and sending the current compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC 601 by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file uploading interface provided by the BMC 601; the BMC 601 is used for storing the modified compressed BIOS configuration file to a file storage module when detecting the modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server uploaded by a user, and updating the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to be modified; when a file state query request sent by a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) 602 of the server is detected, feeding back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server to the BIOS 602; receiving, through a file upload interface, a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server, which is sent by using a hypertext transfer protocol after the BIOS 602 completes configuration, and replacing the compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server, which is stored in the file storage module, with the current compressed BIOS configuration file.
The technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention provides a file processing system, wherein a basic input/output system (BIOS) and a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) in the system can perform file transmission and file storage on a compressed BIOS configuration file, so that the file transmission time between the BIOS and the BMC of a server is reduced, the starting speed of the server is improved, the BIOS configuration file is prevented from occupying a large storage space in the BMC, and the BMC storage space is saved.
EXAMPLE seven
Fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a computer device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computer device 12 suitable for use in implementing embodiments of the present invention. The computer device 12 shown in fig. 7 is only an example and should not bring any limitations to the functionality or scope of use of the embodiments of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 7, computer device 12 is in the form of a general purpose computing device. The components of computer device 12 may include, but are not limited to: one or more processors 16, a memory 28, and a bus 18 connecting the various business system components (including the memory 28 and the processors 16).
Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, such architectures include, but are not limited to, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, micro-channel architecture (MAC) bus, enhanced ISA bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus.
Computer device 12 typically includes a variety of computer system readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer device 12 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media.
The memory 28 may include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as Random Access Memory (RAM)30 and/or cache memory 32. Computer device 12 may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage system 34 may be used to read from and write to non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media (not shown in FIG. 7, and commonly referred to as a "hard drive"). Although not shown in FIG. 7, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk (e.g., a "floppy disk") and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, nonvolatile optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other optical media) may be provided. In these cases, each drive may be connected to bus 18 by one or more data media interfaces. Memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out the functions of embodiments of the invention.
A program/utility 40 having a set (at least one) of program modules 42 may be stored, for example, in memory 28, such program modules 42 including, but not limited to, an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data, each of which examples or some combination thereof may comprise an implementation of a network environment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of the described embodiments of the invention.
Computer device 12 may also communicate with one or more external devices 14 (e.g., keyboard, pointing device, display 24, etc.), with one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer device 12, and/or with any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer device 12 to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication may be through an input/output (I/O) interface 22. Also, computer device 12 may communicate with one or more networks (e.g., a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), and/or a public network such as the Internet) via network adapter 20. As shown, network adapter 20 communicates with the other modules of computer device 12 via bus 18. It should be appreciated that although not shown in FIG. 7, other hardware and/or software modules may be used in conjunction with computer device 12, including but not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data backup storage systems, among others.
The processor 16 executes various functional applications and data processing by running the program stored in the memory 28, thereby implementing the file processing method provided by the embodiment of the present invention: in the current starting process of the server, sending a file state query request to a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC); the file state query request is used for requesting the BMC to feed back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server; when the BIOS configuration file modification state fed back by the BMC is modified, downloading a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from a file storage module of the BMC through a file downloading interface provided by the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol; performing parameter configuration according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file; and generating a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server according to the configured parameter value, and sending the current compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file uploading interface provided by the BMC.
Or, implementing the file processing method provided by the embodiment of the present invention: when detecting a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to a server uploaded by a user, storing the modified compressed BIOS configuration file to a file storage module, and updating the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to be modified; when a file state query request sent by a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of the server is detected, feeding back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server to the BIOS so that the BIOS downloads a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from the file storage module through a file download interface provided by the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol, and configuring parameters according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file; and receiving a current compressed BIOS configuration file which is sent by using a hypertext transfer protocol and corresponds to the server after the BIOS is configured through a file uploading interface, and replacing the compressed BIOS configuration file which is stored in the file storage module and corresponds to the server with the current compressed BIOS configuration file.
Example eight
An eighth embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, where when the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program implements a file processing method provided in the embodiment of the present invention: in the current starting process of the server, sending a file state query request to a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC); the file state query request is used for requesting the BMC to feed back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server; when the BIOS configuration file modification state fed back by the BMC is modified, downloading a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from a file storage module of the BMC through a file downloading interface provided by the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol; performing parameter configuration according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file; and generating a current compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server according to the configured parameter value, and sending the current compressed BIOS configuration file to the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol through a file uploading interface provided by the BMC.
Or, implementing the file processing method provided by the embodiment of the present invention: when detecting a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to a server uploaded by a user, storing the modified compressed BIOS configuration file to a file storage module, and updating the modification state of the BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server to be modified; when a file state query request sent by a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of the server is detected, feeding back a BIOS configuration file modification state corresponding to the server to the BIOS so that the BIOS downloads a modified compressed BIOS configuration file corresponding to the server from the file storage module through a file download interface provided by the BMC by using a hypertext transfer protocol, and configuring parameters according to the modified compressed BIOS configuration file; and receiving a current compressed BIOS configuration file which is sent by using a hypertext transfer protocol and corresponds to the server after the BIOS is configured through a file uploading interface, and replacing the compressed BIOS configuration file which is stored in the file storage module and corresponds to the server with the current compressed BIOS configuration file.
Any combination of one or more computer-readable media may be employed. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated data signal may take many forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may also be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C + + or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or computer device. In the case of a remote computer, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet service provider).
It is to be noted that the foregoing is only illustrative of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and the technical principles employed. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is capable of various obvious changes, rearrangements and substitutions as will now become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in greater detail by the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include other equivalent embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is determined by the scope of the appended claims.