I actually implemented something on an embedded linux product once: a busybox initramfs that you could boot into "recovery mode," then along with dropbear, SSH into a completely in-memory system and re-flash the entire system image without having to pop out an SD card or connect a cable for DFU.
The recovery mode could even be initiated remotely, so you could re-flash a device without ever touching it. Of course you have to be careful, if the re-flash failed you could be SOL :) Apparently I need to go back and improve it so we can re-flash without rebooting!
These days you can use things like containers (Balena also looks very cool) to achieve a similar goal in possibly a "safer" way. But the idea of being able to re-flash the entire system while running it felt sort of like changing the engine of a car while driving it down the freeway!
The recovery mode could even be initiated remotely, so you could re-flash a device without ever touching it. Of course you have to be careful, if the re-flash failed you could be SOL :) Apparently I need to go back and improve it so we can re-flash without rebooting!
These days you can use things like containers (Balena also looks very cool) to achieve a similar goal in possibly a "safer" way. But the idea of being able to re-flash the entire system while running it felt sort of like changing the engine of a car while driving it down the freeway!