Boot Controller Switching for BIOS Failure Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic apparatuses face issues with normal boot operation when the BIOS's read-only memory is damaged, as existing solutions require redundant memory for backup boot codes, increasing costs and not ensuring guaranteed boot success.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with a first and second controller, where the second controller has communication interfaces to connect with external apparatuses for backup boot codes, allowing the system to switch and use external backup boot codes when the primary boot operation fails, eliminating the need for redundant internal memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a redundant read-only memory is disposed on the motherboard to provide a backup firmware boot code, then the boot reliability is improved, but the product cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second controller as an intermediary component that mediates between the external apparatus (containing backup boot code) and the first controller. When the BIOS boot code fails, the second controller takes over to provide the backup boot code from the external apparatus, thus achieving boot redundancy without requiring an internal backup read-only memory on the motherboard.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the external apparatus to store a copy of the backup boot code instead of duplicating the boot code storage within the electronic apparatus itself. This external copying approach provides the necessary redundancy while avoiding the cost of additional internal hardware components.
2Reliability
If a redundant read-only memory is disposed on the motherboard to provide a backup firmware boot code, then the boot reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second controller serves as a mediator that manages the interaction between the internal first controller and the external backup storage apparatus. This intermediary approach provides a systematic way to handle boot failures without requiring complex internal redundancy architecture, thereby managing device complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The second controller is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a normal system component and as a backup boot code provider when the primary BIOS fails. This universal design allows a single component to fulfill multiple roles, reducing the need for dedicated backup hardware and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Reliability
If the read-only memory acting as the BIOS is damaged, then the boot operation fails, but adding redundant internal memory increases hardware costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the second controller as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the damaged BIOS and the external backup boot code storage. When the read-only memory acting as BIOS is damaged, the second controller intervenes to retrieve and execute the backup boot code from the external apparatus, ensuring boot success without requiring expensive internal redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of maintaining an internal copy of the backup boot code in redundant read-only memory, the system uses an external apparatus to store the backup copy. This external copying strategy provides the necessary fault tolerance while avoiding the hardware cost of duplicating internal memory components.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus and a boot method thereof are provided. The electronic apparatus includes a first controller, a basic input output system (BIOS), and a second controller. The first controller is configured to receive a boot code and provides the boot code to the electronic apparatus for performing a boot operation. The BIOS is configured to provide the boot code. The second controller has at least one communication interface. The at least one communication interface is configured to be connected to at least one external apparatus. The at least one external apparatus provides a backup boot code to the second controller. When the boot operation performed by the electronic apparatus according to the boot code provided by the BIOS fails, the second controller replaces the first controller to receive the backup boot code and provides the backup boot code to enable the electronic apparatus to perform the boot operation.