Software module-type for BIOS or bootloader

[aredmon8551]

https://github.com/openconfig/public/blob/9152b712c79d0fcd776ec4b8efc9f655f6c5b916/release/models/platform/openconfig-platform-software.yang#L51

Reading through the identities of SOFTWARE_MODULE_TYPE (USERSPACE_PACKAGE_BUNDLE, USERSPACE_PACKAGE) it would seem we would need to add another for firmware or system related packages (e.g., BIOS, bootloader).

Is my interpretation correct? If so, happy to open a pull request, just want to confirm my understanding is correct first.

[dplore]

This is a good question. I would like to understand one or more use cases we are solving for and then I think we can identify a good solution.

[aredmon8551]

Hey Darren,

I think the BIOS and bootloader are good examples of this. Firmware (FPGAs, other co-processors) may also fall in here, as well.

[dplore]

These are more types for sure and seem reasonable. However, I am looking for operational use cases for exposing this data? My personal opinion as an operator is I would prefer to know as little as possible about the internal processes and software modules inside a NOS. The most simple abstraction would be a single software version for the whole device and I would use gNOI.OS to make changes to that.

However, I am willing to concede that my point of view is naive if there are operational use cases to add additional types and manage software components at a more granular level. If you or other contributors can provide these, I think it will help us understand what is needed to be modeled.

[aredmon8551]

Every shipping implementation (that I'm aware of) involves distinct and independent software packages. EOS has aboot, EVO and SR-LINUX/EVO/IOS-XR have a BIOS. These are often decoupled and can be upgraded independently.

[dplore]

Can you define a use case for us? For example, as a network operator, I would like to do x,y,z.

Just trying to figure out what problem we are trying to solve so I can evaluate if there needs to be new modeling for it.

FWIW, there are identities defined for BIOS and BOOT_LOADER today. Not sure if these will meet your use case though.

https://github.com/openconfig/public/blob/f3f05d5f6e38ca7c46671ea5a4c11b62d264c10b/release/models/platform/openconfig-platform-types.yang#L367-L379

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