TECHNICAL WRITING

An excerpt from Brintech Year 2000 Risk Assessment System, Chapter 1 FIRMWARE Firmware is a set of electronic system instructions that are hard-coded onto a chip in a computer processor. In the context of a computer, some people use different terminology to describe firmware, such as SETUP, BIOS, CMOS, and so on. However, firmware is not limited to computers. Other technology items (such as photocopiers and fax machines) may also contain or utilize firmware. Firmware literally exists and functions in-between hardware and software (as a chip, it is hardware, as a set of instructions, it is software). On a computer, firmware operates from the moment you switch on your computer - even before the operating system kicks in. It is the firmware that keeps track of the date and time, tells your computer how many drives are attached, their size, the processor speed, the monitor configuration, and much more. Firmware can be important to consider, especially for the technology items most critical to your company's operation. If the firmware in a critical component of your organization can not handle the year 2000 date change, that item could be inoperable on January 1. In the case of computer software, it is important to identify firmware because the manufacturer may indicate the software is year 2000 compliant, but may not have tested it with the firmware you are using. Firmware can be difficult to identify. Unfortunately, you can't always rely on the vendor of a technology item to give you firmware information, because they don't necessarily know the changes that have been made to the item since its purchase. Keep in mind that a technology item may have more than one firmware component, especially if special cards or other peripheral devices have been installed. If you do not feel you are qualified to identify the firmware used in your organization, it is imperative that you find someone who is qualified. Very important: You may decide that you don't need to identify the firmware for every technology item. But remember, firmware is a potential point of failure.