Flexible Hardware Driver Loading via SMBIOS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanisms for enabling software to adapt to changes in hardware components in computing systems are inadequate, as they require excessive hardware indicators and complex software configurations, making them inefficient for modern systems with numerous hardware component changes.
Innovation Solution
A flexible system that identifies hardware components during production by generating a string or data that is stored in the SMBIOS field, allowing the software to automatically load the required drivers during the boot sequence without the need for excessive hardware indicators or complex software configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mechanisms use hardware indicators (resistors or switches) to indicate hardware revisions, then the software can detect changed hardware components, but an excessive number of hardware indicators are required when many hardware components are replaced, resulting in boards of unnecessary excessive size and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a string stored in SMBIOS field that copies/represents hardware component information instead of using physical hardware indicators for each component variation. This virtual representation eliminates the need for excessive physical indicators on the board.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical hardware indicators (resistors, switches) with a data-based system using SMBIOS fields and driver scanning. The hardware identification is achieved through software reading data structures rather than physical electrical connections.
2Ease of operation
If conventional mechanisms store each possible hardware configuration in a table in memory, then the software can decode hardware indicators, but the software configuration becomes excessively complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the driver loading process dynamic by scanning for hardware components during boot and loading drivers based on actual detected components rather than using static pre-configured tables. The system adapts to the actual hardware configuration present in each system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-identification of hardware components through scanning during boot. The software automatically detects which hardware components are present and loads appropriate drivers without requiring manual configuration or complex decoding of hardware indicators.
3Productivity
If hardware components are replaced during production to address supply chain issues, then component availability is improved, but production delays occur due to the need for extensive software reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary scanning of hardware components during the boot process before the operating system needs to use them. Driver loading is initiated early in the boot sequence based on detected hardware, allowing the system to be fully operational without requiring post-production software configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically identifies and loads the correct drivers based on detected hardware components without requiring manual intervention or extensive reconfiguration. This self-service capability eliminates production delays associated with software adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
System, methods, and devices for initializing a system by loading drivers are provided. In one example, a system includes comprising one or more circuits to initiate a system initiation or a boot of the system, during the system initiation or the boot of the system, read data from a non-volatile memory, based on the data from the non-volatile memory, identify a plurality of hardware components, identify one or more drivers based on the plurality of hardware components, and load the one or more drivers during the system initiation or the boot of the system.