Abstract: A system and method for overcoming prior impediments to the downloading of microcode firmware to a target controller of a disk or tape storage unit where an Inquiry command determines the type of firmware required by the target controller while a selection means chooses an appropriately sized buffer array for temporarily storing the firmware. Additionally, a checkout is instituted to make sure the selected firmware is not merely another duplication of the existing resident firmware thus to prevent the unnecessary download of an already existing firmware version.