Automated BIOS Failover via NVMe Namespace Backup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current BIOS recovery techniques are manual, user-unfriendly, and lack an adequate automated solution for recovering BIOS on a wide range of computing systems, especially when the flash storage fails, leading to potential system replacement.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a failover module that creates a BIOS namespace on an NVMe drive, stores a copy of the BIOS, and provides a device path for the embedded controller to load the BIOS from the NVMe namespace in case of flash storage failure, enabling automated BIOS boot and update processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If BIOS is stored only on flash storage, then the boot process is simple and fast, but the system reliability deteriorates when flash storage fails

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBIOS boot reliabilityVSAvoidstorage system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a copy of the BIOS from flash storage and stores it on an NVMe drive. This copy serves as a backup that can be automatically loaded when the original flash storage fails, thereby improving BIOS boot reliability without requiring complex manual recovery procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically copying the BIOS to NVMe storage during normal operation, before any failure occurs. This advance preparation ensures that a valid BIOS copy is ready for immediate use if the flash storage fails, eliminating the need for manual intervention during recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If manual recovery techniques are used, then system complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to manual key combinations and jumper adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBIOS recovery easeVSAvoidrecovery process automation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically detecting flash storage failures and loading the BIOS from the NVMe backup without requiring any user action. The embedded controller monitors the boot process and autonomously switches to the backup BIOS copy when needed, making the recovery process completely hands-free.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where the embedded controller monitors the boot process and detects when the flash storage BIOS fails to load. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically retrieves and executes the backup BIOS from NVMe storage, creating a closed-loop recovery system that responds autonomously to failure conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of time

If flash storage is replaced, then the immediate problem is solved, but the loss of time increases due to system replacement requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem recovery timeVSAvoidsystem replacement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares a backup BIOS copy on NVMe storage in advance, creating a cushion against potential flash storage failures. This pre-positioned backup eliminates the need for immediate system replacement or complex recovery procedures when flash storage fails, significantly reducing recovery time and allowing for simpler, faster repairs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a second separate flash is provided for factory BIOS image, then reliability improves for factory-designed systems, but the device complexity increases and adaptability deteriorates for wide range of computing systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery technique applicabilityVSAvoidmotherboard design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the NVMe drive, which is a universal storage interface already present in most modern computing systems, to store the backup BIOS. This approach provides a standardized, widely-compatible solution that can be implemented across diverse system architectures without requiring proprietary second-flash designs, thereby improving adaptability while avoiding increased complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11144328B2System method to update failover process by running basic input/output (BIOS) system boot code from non-volatile memory express device (NVME)

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A BIOS boot and update failover process is provided. A computing system can include flash storage on which the BIOS is stored, an embedded controller and an NVMe drive. After the BIOS successfully performs a boot process, a failover module can be executed to create a BIOS namespace on an NVMe namespace and then store a copy of the BIOS on the NVMe namespace. The failover module can also create a device path that identifies where the copy of the BIOS is stored on the NVMe namespace and store the device path on the embedded controller. The embedded controller can be configured to detect when the BIOS on the flash storage fails to initiate a subsequent boot process and, in response, employ the device path to locate and load the copy of the BIOS from the NVMe namespace to thereby cause the computing system to be booted.