Host-Managed Device Memory Boot Proxy for Faster System Startup
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Solution Overview
Problem
The performance of computer boot times is negatively impacted by frequent fetches from limited cache size during system memory initialization, especially when system memory is large, due to indirect transfers of UEFI firmware instructions from SPI flash memory.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a host-managed device memory (HDM) as a temporary proxy for system memory, enabling early initialization and shadowing boot firmware code in HDM, allowing execution before or in parallel with system memory initialization, thereby reducing dependency on cache fetches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UEFI firmware instructions are transferred from SPI flash memory to CPU cache for execution during system memory initialization, then boot firmware can be executed, but frequent cache fetches from SPI flash memory occur which negatively impact boot performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by initializing the HDM as a temporary proxy for system memory before the system memory is ready. This allows boot firmware to be shadowed into the HDM and executed in parallel with system memory initialization, avoiding the sequential dependency that causes frequent cache fetches and performance degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The HDM serves as an intermediary between the SPI flash memory and the system memory/CPU cache. By shadowing boot firmware into the HDM, the system creates an intermediate execution layer that reduces direct fetches from SPI flash to cache, thereby improving boot performance while maintaining reliable firmware execution.
2Quantity of substance
If system memory size is increased to handle larger boot firmware, then more firmware can be loaded, but system memory initialization time increases which worsens boot performance
Solution Approach 1:
The HDM is initialized and configured as a temporary proxy before system memory initialization completes. This preliminary setup allows boot firmware to be shadowed and executed concurrently with system memory initialization, effectively parallelizing the process and reducing total boot time regardless of system memory size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the memory initialization process by enabling parallel execution. Boot firmware shadowing into HDM occurs in parallel with system memory initialization rather than sequentially, transforming the time-critical path into a concurrent operation that reduces overall initialization time.
3Device complexity
If CPU cache size is limited, then device complexity is reduced, but frequent fetches from SPI flash memory during initialization increase boot time
Solution Approach 1:
The HDM acts as an intermediary storage layer that holds shadowed boot firmware, reducing the burden on the limited CPU cache. By directing firmware accesses to the HDM instead of repeatedly fetching from SPI flash through the limited cache, the system minimizes cache contention and reduces boot time without increasing cache size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a shadow copy of the boot firmware in the HDM. This copy serves as a local repository that the CPU can access directly without repeatedly fetching from SPI flash through the limited cache, thereby reducing boot time while maintaining the original limited cache architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses and methods may provide for technology that initializes a host-managed device memory (HDM) as a temporary proxy for a system memory, wherein the HDM is associated with an accelerator. The technology also creates a shadow copy of boot firmware code in the HDM and executes one or more boot instructions in the shadow copy of the boot firmware code. In one example, the one or more boot instructions are to be one or more of executed before an initialization of the system memory or executed in parallel with the initialization of the system memory.