Bootstrap Execution Environment for Device Initialization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing FDO Device Onboarding specification requires an out-of-box, external manufacturing service for creating a FDO ownership voucher and initial provisioning of devices, which is inconvenient in manufacturing environments without IT infrastructure, costly, and introduces complexity and potential production delays, especially in low-volume manufacturing scenarios.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a Bootstrap Execution Environment (BEE) or Device Initialization Execution Environment (DIEE) that contains the necessary functionality to provision devices, install a restricted operating environment, and perform device initialization, allowing for a self-contained, transient environment that boots on the endpoint device to generate ownership vouchers and credentials, reducing the need for external infrastructure and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an external manufacturing service is used for device provisioning, then device security and authentication are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice securityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs self-provisioning by automatically generating its own ownership voucher and credentials using the BEE environment, eliminating the need for external manufacturing services to manually provision each device. This self-service approach maintains security while reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The BEE environment is pre-configured with all necessary provisioning tools and credentials before the device leaves the manufacturing line. This preliminary preparation allows the device to complete its own provisioning autonomously without requiring complex external services during deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If an external manufacturing service is deployed, then device provisioning capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice provisioning capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The BEE environment is designed to be universally applicable across different device types and manufacturing scenarios. By embedding this multi-functional provisioning capability directly in the device, the system eliminates the need for separate external manufacturing services, reducing infrastructure costs while maintaining versatile provisioning capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If manual onboarding process is used, then authentication security is improved, but processing speed and efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidonboarding processing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical onboarding process with an automated cryptographic system. The BEE environment automatically performs key generation, certificate creation, and voucher signing using cryptographic algorithms, substituting human manual operations with automated security mechanisms that maintain authentication security while dramatically improving processing speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Extent of automation

If FDO Device Onboarding specification is implemented, then automation is improved, but dependency on external infrastructure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveonboarding automationVSAvoidinfrastructure dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential provisioning functionality from external FDO infrastructure and embeds it directly within the device's BEE environment. This extraction eliminates dependency on external FDO servers and infrastructure while maintaining the automated onboarding process, reducing infrastructure complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20240296229A1Systems and methods for bootstrapped provisioning of a device

Publication Date: 2024.09.05 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

The device initialization (DI) process involves embedding the ownership and manufacturing credentials into the new device. Among other things, this device initialization process establishes the first in a chain for creating an ownership voucher with which to transfer ownership of the device. Presented herein are embodiments that facilitate automated device initialization and associated provisioning of devices, such as FDO devices. In one or more embodiments, a transient bootstrap execution environment (BEE) (or device initialization execution environment (DIEE)) is used on the device. Embodiments may be utilized to perform device initialization without additional setup costs and complexity at the manufacturing location. Furthermore, significant modifications to existing manufacturing process can also be avoided.