On Sun, 2011-05-22 at 02:17 +0100, Timothy Murphy wrote: > In fact, I'm not sure what "firmware" is. > Is there a standard definition of firmware?
Is there a standard definition of anything in computing? ;-) It's partway between hardware and software. Generally speaking, it's the upgradeable programming that you can install into small hardware appliances (computer BIOS, modems, DVD players, digital television equipment, etc.). Usually, it refers to reprogramming an EEPROM with a non-volatilely stored program (once installed, it remains stored unless deliberately overwritten). Though, some devices might use volatile memory, and require firmware uploading each time they're powered on. I seem to recall that some network cards work that way, and their driver does that each bootup. With some devices, the firmware may be their entire operating code. For other devices, they have some basic programming in permanent ROM, and some additional program code is upgradable firmware. e.g. You may have a BIOS which has ROM code to being booting or begin installing firmware. But the firmware actually handles everything else. Or a worse example; the entire coding is firmware, and if upgrading the firmware fails at a critical moment, you don't have any way to try again. You'd need to rip out the EEPROM, and fix things externally. -- [tim@localhost ~]$ uname -r 2.6.27.25-78.2.56.fc9.i686 Don't send private replies to my address, the mailbox is ignored. I read messages from the public lists. -- users mailing list users@lists.fedoraproject.org To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://admin.fedoraproject.org/mailman/listinfo/users Guidelines: http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Mailing_list_guidelines
