Partition Manager BIOS Initialization for Server Boot Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
In partitioned computer systems, the current BIOS initialization process is inefficient due to redundant procedures across multiple partitions, leading to significant time consumption during the boot process, as each partition performs duplicate initialization tasks despite shared hardware resources.
Innovation Solution
A partition manager is introduced to initialize underlying platform hardware once and allocate resources efficiently, allowing each partition to initialize only the necessary hardware in parallel, thereby eliminating redundant BIOS operations and reducing boot time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each partition performs full BIOS initialization independently, then partition independence and security are maintained, but boot time increases significantly due to redundant initialization operations
Solution Approach 1:
The BIOS initialization process is segmented into two distinct phases: a shared common initialization phase that executes once for the entire platform, and partition-specific initialization phases that execute in parallel for each partition. This segmentation eliminates redundant operations while maintaining partition independence through logical separation of initialization tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The common initialization phase performs all shared hardware setup operations in advance before partition creation begins. By completing platform-level hardware initialization, memory configuration, and device setup beforehand, the system eliminates the need for each partition to re-execute these operations, significantly reducing overall boot time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a service processor is used to create partitions, then partition management is achieved, but hardware cost and implementation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The BIOS code is designed to perform multiple functions: it operates both as a traditional platform initialization routine and as a partition management system. The same BIOS executes common initialization for the entire platform and then manages individual partition creation and initialization, eliminating the need for a separate service processor and reducing hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The BIOS system performs partition management autonomously without requiring an external service processor. The BIOS automatically creates partitions, allocates resources, and initializes partition-specific hardware, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall hardware requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to boot a basic input/output system (BIOS) for a partitioned platform. An example method disclosed herein identifies at least one hardware component unique to a partition, determines which hardware components have commonality with the partition, initializes the at least one hardware component having commonality, and initializes the at least one hardware component unique to the partition. Other embodiments are described and claimed.