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Software upgrade by installing hotfixes
A hotfix is a fast, cost-effective method to repair the software defects of a device. Compared with other
methods of software version upgrade, a hotfix can upgrade the software without interrupting the running
services of the device. It can repair software defects of the current version without rebooting the device.
Patch and patch file
A patch, also called “patch unit," is a package to fix software defects. Patches are usually released as patch
files.
A patch file may contain one or more patches for different defects. After loaded from the storage media to
the memory patch area, each patch is assigned a unique number, which starts from 1, for identification,
management and operation. For example, if a patch file has three patch units, they are numbered as 1, 2,
and 3 respectively.
Patch types
The patch type only affects the patch loading process.
• Common patches—Those formally released through the version release flow. Common patches always
include the functions of the previous temporary patches so as to replace them.
• Temporary patches—Those not formally released through the version release flow, but temporarily
provided to solve the emergent problems. The system deletes all temporary patches before it loads the
common patch.
• Incremental patch—Those dependent on the previous patch units. For example, if a patch file has three
patch units, patch 3 can be run only after patch 1 and 2 take effect. You cannot run patch 3 separately.
Currently released patches are all incremental patches.
Patch status
Each patch has its status, which can be switched only by commands. The relationship between patch state
changes and command actions is shown in Figure 3.
Th
e patch can be in the state of IDLE, DEACTIVE, ACTIVE, and RUNNING.
Load, run temporarily, confirm running, stop running, delete, install, and uninstall represent operations,
corresponding to commands of patch load, patch active, patch run, patch deactive, patch delete, patch
install, and undo patch install. For example, if you run patch active command for the patches in the
DEACTIVE state, the patches turn to the ACTIVE state.
Information about patch states is saved in the file patchstate on the Flash. Do not to operate this file.
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