UEFI Device Location Protocol Abstracts Hardware Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of proprietary and ad-hoc subsystem architectures and protocols in information handling systems makes configuration and administration difficult, varying by model, manufacturer, and individual configuration.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) with a device location protocol (DLP) provides a platform-independent identifier and API for abstracting hardware routing, enabling systematic device discovery and configuration without prior knowledge of specific devices or subsystems, using correlatable identifiers and UEFI device paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary and ad-hoc subsystem architectures and protocols are used for information handling systems, then each manufacturer can optimize their specific hardware configuration, but the complexity of configuration and administration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a device location protocol (DLP) as an intermediary layer between the hardware subsystems and the management software. This protocol provides standardized interfaces and abstractions that hide the underlying proprietary architectures, allowing administrators to manage diverse hardware configurations through a unified approach without needing to understand each manufacturer-specific implementation
2Ease of manufacture
If proprietary subsystem architectures are used for each manufacturer, then hardware optimization is achieved, but administration procedures vary by model and manufacturer making systematic management difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device location protocol implements universal interfaces that work across multiple manufacturers and hardware configurations. The protocol defines standard methods for device identification, location, and enumeration that can be applied uniformly regardless of the underlying proprietary architecture, enabling administrators to use the same procedures for managing diverse hardware
3Reliability
If ad-hoc subsystem protocols are implemented, then specific system requirements are met, but prior knowledge of specific devices and subsystems is required for configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The device location protocol enables systems to automatically discover and enumerate devices without requiring administrator intervention or prior knowledge. The protocol includes mechanisms for devices to self-identify and provide location information, allowing the system to automatically build a device inventory and configure appropriate drivers and settings
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system includes a firmware management infrastructure. The firmware management infrastructure includes a database that identifies a correspondence between members of a set of device paths and members of a set of correlatable identifier strings. A device path represents a platform-specific reference to an object at the information handling system and a correlatable identifier string represents a platform independent reference to the object. Programs can access the database using an application programming interface.