Boot Queue Checkpoints for Out-of-Band Event Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The boot sequence in computing systems is time-consuming, leading to unresponsive periods during which critical events are ignored, potentially requiring a cold reset and causing significant downtime, especially in systems providing critical applications and services.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a security processor that manages an out-of-band (OOB) queue to handle events outside the boot sequence, allowing for dynamic execution of OOB events before completing the boot process, thereby reducing latency and enabling access to the system during bootup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system performs a complete boot sequence, then system reliability and security are ensured, but system responsiveness deteriorates and critical events are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the boot process into two independent queues: a main boot queue containing sequential boot steps and an out-of-band (OOB) queue containing interruptible events. This segmentation allows critical OOB events to be processed independently without blocking the main boot sequence, thereby reducing the blackout window while maintaining system reliability through complete boot execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by checking for and processing OOB events at specific checkpoints during the boot sequence (e.g., after HAL initialization, after device tree parsing). This allows critical events to be handled in advance before they would otherwise cause system hangs or require cold resets, reducing downtime while maintaining complete boot execution.
2Ease of operation
If the system handles OOB events during bootup, then system manageability improves, but boot sequence complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an OOB queue as an intermediary data structure between the main boot sequence and external events. This intermediary allows the boot process to maintain its original simple sequential logic while providing a standardized mechanism for handling interruptible events, thus improving manageability without significantly increasing boot sequence complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic event handling by allowing the boot sequence to adaptively check for and process OOB events at designated checkpoints. The system dynamically switches between processing boot steps and handling OOB events based on queue state, providing flexible manageability while maintaining a relatively simple and predictable boot flow through structured checkpoint integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for efficiently performing a bootup operation are described. In various implementations, an integrated circuit includes at least one or more processors and on-chip memory. The on-chip memory has a higher security level than off-chip memory. One of the one or more processors is designated as a security processor. During the processing of the multiple boot steps of a bootup operation, the security processor receives one or more out of band (OOB) events that are not included in the bootup operation. The security processor initializes both an OOB queue and a main boot queue in the on-chip memory. The security processor stores boot steps of the bootup operation in the main boot queue and stores received OOB events in the OOB queue. The security processor executes at least one OOB event prior to completing the bootup operation.