UEFI Boot Device Path Management via Custom Driver Algorithm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processor firmware configurations are inflexible and require manual changes by administrators for each device, leading to inefficiencies in boot order management, especially in enterprise environments where consistent customization across multiple workstations is needed, resulting in potential infinite loops during OS deployment.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a processor, memory, and a firmware startup algorithm with user-configurable driver algorithm memory storage locations, allowing for custom boot device prioritization and reordering based on user preferences and secure boot settings, using UEFI driver execution environment (DXE) to manage the boot order dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration changes are made by administrators on each individual processor, then firmware configuration can be customized, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by allowing boot configuration parameters to be pre-defined and stored in a database before actual system deployment. The system retrieves these pre-configured parameters and automatically applies them to multiple processors, eliminating the need for administrators to manually configure each device individually. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining customization capability while dramatically reducing configuration time through advance preparation of configuration data.
2Ease of operation
If boot order is automatically managed by UEFI firmware, then boot operations are streamlined, but custom boot device prioritization cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component - a custom driver executable environment (DXE) driver - that acts as a bridge between the UEFI firmware's automatic boot management and user-defined custom boot priorities. The DXE driver intercepts the boot process, retrieves custom boot device prioritization parameters from storage, and modifies the boot order accordingly before handing control to the operating system. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the simplicity of automatic UEFI boot operations while enabling custom prioritization through the intermediary DXE driver layer.
3Reliability
If firmware startup algorithm is predetermined and cannot be modified, then system stability is maintained, but configuration flexibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the firmware startup algorithm into fixed core components and configurable parameter components. The core firmware startup algorithm remains predetermined and unmodified to maintain system stability, while configurable parameters such as boot device priorities are stored separately in a database and loaded dynamically. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the reliability of the core firmware while gaining the flexibility to customize boot configuration through external parameter files, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for configuring a processor is disclosed that includes a processor, a memory, and a firmware startup algorithm stored in the memory at a first predetermined location, the firmware start-up algorithm has one or more user-configurable driver algorithm memory storage locations. A driver algorithm stored at one of the user-configurable driver algorithm memory storage locations is configured to modify an operating system memory storage location for use by the firmware startup algorithm.