Interrupt Handler Memory Switchover Without BIOS Restart
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems require a system restart to update the BIOS firmware, which can lead to system crashes due to issues with privileged interruption processing programs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for migrating a new interruption processing program to physical memory, determining its position, and replacing the old program without restarting the system, using upgradation parameters and modules to manage the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the BIOS firmware is updated by writing into BIOS Flash through privileged interruption, then the firmware update can be performed with high-level permission and system safety is ensured, but the system requires a restart to make the updated code effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the firmware code into two separate storage locations: BIOS Flash (non-volatile) and system memory (volatile). The privileged interruption processing program is copied from BIOS Flash to system memory during runtime, allowing the original Flash code to remain intact while the copied version can be updated and executed immediately without restarting the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary copying of the privileged interruption processing program from BIOS Flash to system memory before any update operations. This preliminary action prepares the system by having a working copy ready in memory, so that when updates are needed, they can be applied to the memory copy without affecting the original Flash storage or requiring a system restart.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the privileged interruption processing program is updated in BIOS Flash, then the updated firmware is permanently stored, but the system must be restarted for the updates to become effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the firmware update process into two independent operations: updating the permanent copy in BIOS Flash and updating the active copy in system memory. This segmentation allows the system to maintain persistent storage in Flash while enabling immediate operational updates in memory without requiring system restarts.
Solution Approach 2:
System memory acts as an intermediary between BIOS Flash and the running privileged interruption processing program. The memory serves as a buffer that holds the active version of the code, allowing updates to be applied to this intermediate copy without affecting the persistent Flash storage or requiring a system restart to take effect.
3Reliability
If the system restarts to update the privileged code, then the updated code becomes effective, but system availability is reduced during the restart period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary copying of the privileged interruption processing program from BIOS Flash to system memory during normal system operation, before any updates are needed. This preliminary preparation ensures that when firmware updates are required, they can be applied to the memory copy and take effect immediately without interrupting system operation or reducing availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous execution of the privileged interruption processing program from system memory without interruption. By maintaining the active code copy in volatile memory rather than requiring reads from non-volatile Flash storage, the system ensures uninterrupted execution and maintains full availability even during firmware update operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a program updating method and apparatus, an electronic device, and a non-volatile readable storage medium, which relates to the technical field of computers. The method includes: migrating a new interruption processing program to a physical memory; acquiring upgradation parameters, and according to the upgradation parameters, determining a first position of the new interruption processing program in the physical memory and a second position of a to-be-upgraded interruption processing program in the physical memory; and migrating the new interruption processing program in the first position to the second position, to replace the to-be-upgraded interruption processing program. In the program updating method according to the present application, the new interruption processing program is migrated to the position of the to-be-upgraded interruption processing program in the physical memory, and because the new interruption processing program is in the physical memory, it becomes effective immediately after the upgrading program has exited, which realizes updating of the interruption processing program without restarting the system.