BIOS Parameter Virtualization via Configuration Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current server management tools lack automation in BIOS configuration, leading to individual, one-off management of BIOS settings across computer systems in data centers, which does not consider the overall data center environment and is inefficient for remote management.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of BIOS parameter virtualization through BIOS configuration profiles, using normalized BIOS parameter settings defined in a markup language like XML, allows for remote management and translation of settings across different hardware architectures, enabling centralized management and configuration of multiple BIOS settings at once.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If BIOS configuration is managed individually on each computing system, then BIOS settings can be customized for each system, but remote management efficiency deteriorates and automation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal BIOS configuration management system where a single management interface can configure BIOS settings across multiple computing systems regardless of their specific hardware platforms. The normalized BIOS parameter definitions and configuration profiles enable one-size-fits-all management approaches while maintaining system-specific customization capabilities through platform-specific translation layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary BIOS configuration management system that sits between administrators and individual computing systems. This intermediary translates high-level configuration requests into platform-specific BIOS settings, eliminating the need for administrators to manually configure each system individually while maintaining precise control over BIOS parameters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If BIOS settings are configured individually without considering the overall data center environment, then each system can be optimized independently, but centralized control and consistency across the data center are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments BIOS configuration management into two distinct layers: a centralized configuration management layer that handles high-level policy decisions and consistency requirements, and a platform-specific translation layer that handles system-specific optimizations. This segmentation enables both centralized control and individual system optimization to coexist without conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different parts of the configuration system to have different properties - the centralized management portion maintains consistency and automation, while the platform-specific translation portions enable local optimization. Each computing system receives customized BIOS settings tailored to its specific hardware platform while adhering to centralized configuration policies.
3Manufacturing precision
If BIOS configuration is not automated, then individual system configuration can be manually optimized, but time consumption and labor requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining normalized BIOS parameter definitions and configuration profiles that capture optimal settings for different scenarios. These pre-configured profiles can be quickly applied to multiple systems without manual intervention, significantly reducing configuration time while maintaining precision through the structured parameter definitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by transforming manual configuration processes into automated parameter-based configurations. By representing BIOS settings as structured parameters with defined valid values and dependencies, the system can automatically generate and apply configurations based on parameter values, eliminating manual optimization work while preserving configuration precision through validated parameter constraints.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques presented herein provide approaches for generating a markup language object that describes a variety of BIOS setup variables and which allow the markup language object to be passed to the management system, as well as allow retrieval of a normalized BIOS from the management system. Doing so allows the management system to be used to easily and efficiently control a large number of server systems within a data center.