Low-Disruptive and Timely Dynamic Software Updating of Smart Grid Components

Components in the power grid require security, high availability and real-time communications for reliable operation. But these components are based on software that contains issues that need to be fixed. Timely installation of software updates allows securing vulnerable software quickly but conventionally disrupts availability and communications. Rolling updates on redundant systems prevent such disruptions but delay update installations as they need to be prepared carefully to update reliably. Dynamic Software Updating shortens the installation duration of updates by implementing them in-memory, allowing timely hot-fixing and installation of new features without service disruption or degradation in soft real-time communications. As the Smart Grid settles on standardization and common technologies for interoperability, the need for timely hot-fixing and updating of software applications and libraries which are in widespread use increases.