Staged BIOS File System Indexing for Boot Time Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The initialization of information handling systems, particularly BIOS/UEFI, is lengthy due to the need for indexing large amounts of data, which can exceed 45 seconds and hinder user experience, and is constrained by limited storage in NOR flash memory, preventing rich graphical environments and fonts.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a staged initialization method where the BIOS/UEFI file system is divided into multiple portions, allowing parallel processing and storage across multiple memories, reducing the need for full indexing before initialization and enabling larger firmware with richer graphical interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the entire BIOS/UEFI flash memory is indexed prior to initialization, then complete initialization data is available, but boot time exceeds 45 seconds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot timeVSAvoidinitialization completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The file system is divided into multiple portions with different indexing priorities. Critical initialization data in the first portion is fully indexed, while less critical data in subsequent portions is indexed with lower priority or deferred, enabling parallel processing and reducing overall boot time while maintaining initialization completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Essential initialization data is pre-indexed in the first portion of the file system before boot operations begin, allowing critical BIOS/UEFI functions to proceed immediately without waiting for complete file system indexing, thus reducing boot time while ensuring necessary initialization capabilities are available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If NOR flash memory size is increased to store more initialization data, then rich graphical environments and fonts can be implemented, but cost and space constraints are violated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraphical interface capabilityVSAvoidflash memory size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the file system across multiple memory devices beyond the limited NOR flash memory. By utilizing additional memory resources in the memory hierarchy, the system can store larger firmware images with rich graphical content without increasing the size of the critical NOR flash memory, thus maintaining graphical interface capability while respecting space constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If indexing priority is distributed across multiple portions of the file system, then parallel processing can occur, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitialization speedVSAvoidfile system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The file system is segmented into multiple portions with assigned indexing priorities. This segmentation enables parallel indexing operations across different portions, improving initialization speed. The structured division into manageable segments with clear priority assignments balances the increased complexity with organized, systematic management of the file system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the first portion of the file system is fully indexed before initialization, then critical boot data is readily accessible, but boot time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot data availabilityVSAvoidboot time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Critical boot data in the first portion of the file system is pre-indexed before initialization to ensure reliable and rapid access during boot operations. This preliminary indexing of essential data maintains boot data availability and system reliability while minimizing the time impact by focusing indexing efforts on only the most critical portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11249767B2Boot assist zero overhead flash extended file system

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system may load first data from a location information area of a first memory, specifying a plurality of locations of metadata for a plurality of stages of basic input/output system (BIOS) initialization. The information handling system may then load first metadata for a first stage of BIOS initialization from a first metadata location of the plurality of locations specified by the first data. The first metadata may contain information for indexing first initialization data located at a first initialization data location. The information handling system may then index the first initialization data of the first initialization data location based, at least in part, on the first metadata. The information handling system may then perform the first stage of BIOS initialization based, at least in part, on the first initialization data.