Speedy Boot Procedure Bypassing POST Tests
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing boot sequence in computer systems requires repeated initialization procedures and tests upon restart or reset, leading to reduced productivity and delayed system availability, especially in network servers where all users must wait for the system to reboot.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a speedy boot procedure that allows the system to bypass certain initialization steps by resetting only the operating system interfaces and cached data, while keeping the firmware core intact, thereby skipping the power-on self-test (POST) program to expedite the recovery to a usable state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a full boot sequence is executed upon system restart or reset, then system reliability and initialization completeness are ensured, but boot time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The boot sequence is segmented into essential initialization steps and optional testing steps. The patent implements a speedy boot mode that executes only the essential initialization steps (loading BIOS, detecting hardware, loading OS) while skipping optional POST tests, thereby reducing boot time while maintaining necessary system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by executing only the necessary portion of the boot sequence for speedy boot mode. Instead of performing all initialization procedures and tests, the system performs a subset of critical initialization steps, which is sufficient for system functionality while significantly reducing boot time.
2Reliability
If all initialization procedures and tests are performed upon restart, then system readiness is ensured, but user productivity is reduced due to wait time
Solution Approach 1:
The initialization procedures are segmented into critical path items (BIOS loading, hardware detection, OS loading) and non-critical items (POST tests). The speedy boot mode follows this segmentation to execute only critical items, ensuring system readiness while minimizing user wait time and maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If a network server performs full boot sequence on restart, then system functionality is restored, but all network users must wait reducing service availability
Solution Approach 1:
For network servers, the patent implements partial action by executing only the essential initialization steps required for server functionality. This allows the server to come back online faster after restart, reducing the window during which services are unavailable and thereby improving network service availability while still ensuring necessary functionality is restored.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of speedy boot for computer systems are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method of speedy boot for a computer system may include invoking a platform management interrupt (PMI) to soft reset a processor without resetting hardware for the processor. The method may also include bypassing at least some initialization procedures and tests to speed recovery of the computer system to a usable state. The method may also include resetting operating system interfaces and loading the operating system.