Hardware

5 UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF AND NEED FOR FIRMWARE.

 
Firmware

 The computer programs permanently stored in ROM or PROM are called

firmware.
 Without firmware, the most basic of devices would not function. That is why it is
often stored on a Read-Only Memory (ROM) chip, ensuring it does not get erased
by accident, all while remaining as close as possible to the metal of the device.
 These programs are provided by hardware manufacturer along with the computers.
 Generally these are booting programs which help in the starting of a computer.
Such programs cannot be erased or overwritten.
Applications of Firmware

 Personal computer. The firmware of a personal computer -- either BIOS or 

unified extensible firmware interface -- comes embedded on a small memory
chip on the computer's motherboard. A computer's peripherals, such as graphics
and video cards, also contain firmware.
 Home appliances. Dishwashers and washing machines are among the
appliances that contain firmware. The firmware helps the machine communicate
with the computer used to configure the machine's settings and control its
operation.
 Smart cards. Smart cards have instructions embedded in a chip that provides
the card's basic functionality, as well as authentication and encryption.
What it resides

 Firmware is usually stored in special types of memory, called

flash ROM.
 ROM is the acronym for Read-Only Memory, and this kind of
memory should only be written once, usually by the
manufacturer of the hardware that we are using
What it does?

 Firmware is the low-level software operating the hardware of a microprocessor- or

microcontroller-based device.
 It enables components to interact with each other and implements communications
protocols, among other tasks.
Why it needs to be updated and how to do so

 Firmware updates are often issued to fix bugs, prevent firmware hacks, roll
out new features, improve security or interact with new media.
 Firmware updates consist of code that tells the hardware how to behave in a
new or modified way.
 Some examples of firmware updates include the following:
 A CD disc writer gains the ability to burn a new type of disk.
 A router gets an update that improves its performance and stability.
 A motherboard manufacturer releases a BIOS update that enables the
motherboard to support new processors. BIOS is motherboard firmware.