A first series of bits corresponds to compatibility information of firmware of a computer system. Each bit corresponds to an attribute of the firmware or the system, is equal to one when the attribute denotes a potential incompatibility factor as to the attribute, and is otherwise equal to zero. A second series of bits corresponds to a firmware image with which the firmware is to be upgraded. Each bit indicates whether the firmware image is compatible with the attribute of a corresponding first series bit, is equal to one where the firmware image is compatible with the attribute, and is otherwise equal to zero. A logical AND operation is performed on the first and the second series of bits. Where the result of the logical AND operation is equal to the first series of bits, the firmware is allowed to be upgraded with the image, and otherwise is disallowed.