Abstract: Electronic device configuration management systems and methods are disclosed. Configuration information for configuring at least one component of an electronic device is stored in a memory. A determination is made as to whether further configuration information capable of configuring the at least one component is available at the electronic device. Based on the determination, one of the configuration information and the further configuration information is loaded to configure the at least one component. The determination may be made, for example, by accessing compatibility information which is associated with the configuration information. Data structures supporting configuration management functions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method of selecting a version of a program code from a series of program codes for a program element associated with a hardware element for a circuit board. The invention identifies a compatible program code for a particular hardware element and downloads the compatible program code. A record is associated with the hardware element to identify its compatible program codes. The program codes are stored in a bundle and are associated with a software code. A program loader, associated with each bundle, checks the compatibilities of the hardware element to both the software code and the selected program code. Another record stores compatibility information of the program codes with hardware element versions and is also associated with the bundle. Code downloads are made first to an inactive memory bank and after the codes are verified, the inactive memory bank is made active.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method of electronically tracking a history of engineering change orders (ECOs) associated with a manufactured device. The device has at least one electronic component thereon. The method comprises, generally, storing in an electronic storage device associated with the device, the history of ECOs and updating the history of ECOs when a new ECO is associated with the device to indicate whether the new ECO was implemented on the device. The system utilizes the method and has an electronic storage device associated with the device and a data element stored therein. The contents thereof indicate the history of ECOs for the device and allow modification thereto to indicate whether a new ECO was implemented thereon. An ECO history enables a determination to be made of compatibilities between hardware and software elements and between hardware and firmware elements.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for tracking utilization data for an electronic device, the electronic device having a non-volatile data storage component associated therewith for retaining the utilization data. In an embodiment, the method includes the steps of: a) after passage of a utilization interval, reading a first utilization data value for the electronic device stored in the non-volatile data storage component; b) incrementing said read value; and c) storing said incremented value into the non-volatile data storage component. In an embodiment, the electronic device is a circuit card operating in a communication switch, and the utilization data value is a time value indicating cumulative time of operation of the circuit card in the communication switch.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method of electronically tracking a history of engineering change orders (ECOs) associated with a manufactured device. The device has at least one electronic component thereon. The method comprises, generally, storing in an electronic storage device associated with the device, the history of ECOs and updating the history of ECOs when a new ECO is associated with the device to indicate whether the new ECO was implemented on the device. The system utilizes the method and has an electronic storage device associated with the device and a data element stored therein. The contents thereof indicate the history of ECOs for the device and allow modification thereto to indicate whether a new ECO was implemented thereon. An ECO history enables a determination to be made of compatibilities between hardware and software elements and between hardware and firmware elements.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for tracking utilization data for an electronic device, the electronic device having a non-volatile data storage component associated therewith for retaining the utilization data. In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: a) after passage of a utilization interval, reading a first utilization data value for the electronic device stored in the non-volatile data storage component; b) incrementing said read value; and c) storing said incremented value into the non-volatile data storage component. In an embodiment, the electronic device is a circuit card operating in a communication switch, and the utilization data value is a time value indicating cumulative time of operation of the circuit card in the communication switch.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method of selecting a version of a program code from a series of program codes for a program element associated with a hardware element for a circuit board. The invention identifies a compatible program code for a particular hardware element and downloads the compatible program code. A record is associated with the hardware element to identify its compatible program codes. The program codes are stored in a bundle and are associated with a software code. A program loader, associated with each bundle, checks the compatibilities of the hardware element to both the software code and the selected program code. Another record stores compatibility information of the program codes with hardware element versions and is also associated with the bundle. Code downloads are made first to an inactive memory bank and after the codes are verified, the inactive memory bank is made active.