UEFI Network File System Compound Command Engine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) file systems face inefficiencies in network file operations due to the need for multiple transactions and complex command processing when accessing network storage, which can lead to increased latency and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a compounding engine within the UEFI network file system module that combines network file system commands into compound commands, reducing the number of transactions and simplifying the processing of file operations by translating and aggregating metadata across multiple directories and files into a single transaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple separate network file system commands are used to access network storage, then comprehensive file operations can be performed, but the number of network transactions increases and latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork file operation efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork transaction latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate network file system commands into a single compound command structure. The compounding engine aggregates multiple file operations (such as opening files, reading directories, getting file information) that would otherwise require separate network transactions into one unified network transaction, thereby reducing latency and improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compounding engine performs preliminary aggregation of multiple file operation requests before transmitting them over the network. By pre-processing and combining commands locally before the network transaction, the system reduces the number of round-trip network exchanges required, thus reducing overall latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If multiple separate network file system commands are used, then detailed file operations can be performed, but the number of processing steps and resource utilization increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile operation capabilityVSAvoidcommand processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual file operation commands into a single compound command structure that can be processed in one network transaction. This maintains the capability to perform detailed file operations while reducing the complexity of command processing by consolidating multiple steps into a unified operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compound command structure serves multiple functions simultaneously, allowing the system to perform various file operations (open, read, get info, etc.) through a single unified command mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate processing logic for each individual command type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional UEFI file system commands are used for network storage, then compatibility with existing protocols is maintained, but network transaction overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidnetwork resource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple traditional UEFI file system commands into a single compound command that maintains compatibility with existing network file system protocols. By aggregating multiple operations into one transaction, the system reduces network resource utilization while preserving protocol compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compounding engine creates a consolidated copy of multiple file operation requests in a unified command structure before transmission. This copying and aggregation approach allows the system to maintain protocol compatibility while reducing the overhead of multiple separate network transactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9767118B2Optimized UEFI file system with network file system compound statements

Publication Date: 2017.09.19 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system includes a processor and a memory including code to implement a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). The UEFI includes a UEFI network file system module that provides a first compound command to get directory information for a first directory on a network storage device, provides a second compound command to get file information for the first directory, and provides a third compound command to open a file stored on the first directory. The UEFI also includes a UEFI network protocol module that sends the first compound command, the second compound command, and the third compound command to the network storage device, wherein the first compound command, the second compound command, and the third compound command are sent to the network storage device via a first network transaction.