Sticky Bits for Early Bootstrap Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
User configurable options in BIOS cannot be applied during the bootstrap process due to the inaccessible nature of non-volatile storage managed by the south bridge chipset until a communicative path is established between the CPU and the south bridge.
Innovation Solution
The method involves reading and applying user selectable configuration options from sticky bits stored in memory before bootstrap, which are preserved during system resets but not power cycles, and copying these options from non-volatile memory into sticky bits subsequent to bootstrap, ensuring configuration options are applied before non-volatile storage becomes accessible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user configurable options are stored in non-volatile storage managed by the south bridge chipset, then the options are preserved across power cycles, but the options cannot be accessed or applied during the early bootstrap phase before the CPU establishes communication with the south bridge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration storage into two parts: sticky bits in north bridge-managed memory for immediate bootstrap access, and non-volatile storage in south bridge for persistent storage. This segmentation allows the system to access configuration options at different bootstrap stages by reading from the appropriate storage location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sticky bits as an intermediary data structure that bridges the gap between persistent non-volatile storage and the CPU's immediate needs during bootstrap. The sticky bits act as a temporary cache or proxy that the CPU can read before establishing communication with the south bridge, thereby mediating the timing conflict between persistence and early access.
2Adaptability or versatility
If configuration options are applied after establishing communication with the south bridge, then all configuration data is available, but the bootstrap process is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-loading configuration options into sticky bits during previous system operations or initialization sequences. This allows the CPU to read and apply configuration settings during the early bootstrap phase without waiting for south bridge communication establishment, thereby accelerating the bootstrap process while ensuring configuration data is already prepared and available.
3Loss of time
If non-volatile storage is made accessible earlier in the bootstrap process, then configuration options can be applied sooner, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical configuration data from the south bridge-managed non-volatile storage and places it into sticky bits that are managed by the north bridge. This extraction allows the CPU to access configuration options through the already-established north bridge communication path without requiring early south bridge initialization, thereby avoiding the complexity of rearchitecting the chipset communication sequence while still achieving earlier configuration application.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to applying user configurable options during bootstrap and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for user selectable configuration options application for inaccessible nonvolatile storage at bootstrap. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for user selectable configuration options application for inaccessible nonvolatile storage at bootstrap can be provided. The method can include powering up a motherboard for a computer system and reading user selectable configuration options for the computing system from sticky bits prior to bootstrap for the motherboard. The method further can include applying the user selectable configuration options to the computing system. Finally, the method can include performing bootstrap for the motherboard subsequent to applying the user selectable configuration options.