BIOS Device Information Acquisition During OS Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing apparatuses face challenges in acquiring device information of I/O devices added via hot add without stopping system operations, which can affect business continuity and increase downtime.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that includes a processor to execute an operating system, manage operations, and acquire device information from connected devices without stopping the OS, using a connection control unit to issue acquisition instructions and a device information acquisition unit to notify the management unit of acquired information, allowing for parallel operation and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the operating system is stopped to acquire device information by BIOS, then device information can be acquired, but system operation is interrupted and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the BIOS acquire device information in advance before the operating system stops. When a device is hot-added, the BIOS detects it and acquires its information beforehand, so that when the OS needs to stop for device recognition, the information is already available, reducing the interruption time and maintaining system availability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operating system is stopped to connect I/O devices, then device connection is established, but business continuity is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing device information acquisition and preparation during the OS execution phase, before the OS needs to stop for device connection. This ensures that when hot-add occurs, the system can quickly recognize and integrate the new device without prolonged interruption to business operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by enabling the BIOS to operate and acquire device information during OS execution, rather than requiring a complete system stop. This allows the system to maintain business operations while simultaneously preparing for and managing device hot-add events, ensuring uninterrupted service.
3Reliability
If device information is acquired during OS execution, then system availability is improved, but additional processing overhead is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the BIOS as an intermediary between the hardware devices and the operating system. The BIOS handles device information acquisition and preliminary processing during OS execution, acting as a mediator that manages the complexity of device hot-add events without requiring the OS itself to handle the low-level hardware interactions, thus maintaining system availability while managing processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to: execute an operating system; manage an operation of the information processing apparatus; issue, on the basis of detection of connection of a device, an acquisition instruction to acquire device information of the device; acquire, while the operating system is being executed, the device information from the device on the basis of the acquisition instruction; and notify the acquired device information.