Virtual Machine Manager POST Output via Serial Port
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for outputting power-on self test information require a motherboard diagnostic card, leading to resource wastage and inconvenient operations due to the need for physical insertion and opening of the chassis.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a virtual machine manager and processor that enters a virtual mode upon receiving a trigger instruction from the BIOS program, generating an exit instruction when a predefined trigger event occurs, allowing the virtual machine manager to obtain and output power-on self test information to a serial port without a diagnostic card.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motherboard diagnostic card is used to output power-on self test information, then the information can be displayed, but device resources are wasted and operations become troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a virtual machine to create a virtual copy of the diagnostic card functionality. Instead of requiring a physical diagnostic card, the virtual machine manager simulates the card's behavior within the virtualized environment, allowing POST information to be captured and output through virtualized I/O interfaces. This eliminates the need for physical hardware while maintaining the diagnostic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of inserting a diagnostic card into a PCI or PCI-X slot with a software-based virtualization system. The virtual machine manager and virtualized I/O interfaces substitute for the physical card insertion mechanism, allowing the same diagnostic function to be achieved through software virtualization rather than physical hardware manipulation.
2Reliability
If a motherboard diagnostic card is inserted into the PCI or PCI-X slot, then power-on self test information can be output, but the operation becomes troublesome requiring opening the chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual machine creates a virtual representation of the diagnostic card functionality. The virtual machine manager captures POST information through virtualized I/O interfaces and outputs it via virtual serial ports or other virtual communication channels. This copying approach maintains the information output capability while eliminating the need for physical card insertion and chassis opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual machine manager acts as an intermediary between the BIOS/POST process and the output interface. Instead of directly connecting the diagnostic card to the PCI slot, the virtual machine manager mediates the information flow, capturing POST data and routing it through virtualized interfaces. This intermediary layer eliminates the need for physical hardware manipulation while maintaining reliable information output.
3Loss of information
If the BIOS program writes hardware codes to port 80 for display, then the power-on self test information can be output, but a physical diagnostic card is still required
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual machine manager creates a virtual copy of the port 80 I/O interface. Instead of requiring a physical diagnostic card to read from port 80, the virtualization system creates a virtual serial port or virtual communication interface that replicates the information transmission function. The BIOS continues to write to port 80 as before, but the virtual machine manager intercepts and routes this information through virtualized channels, eliminating the need for physical hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for outputting power-on self test information, a virtual machine manager, and a processor. The method includes: receiving trigger information generated by a BIOS program when the BIOS program runs a predefined virtual mode trigger instruction, starting, by a virtual machine manager, the virtual machine manager and monitoring a processor, where the processor is a processor that enters a virtual mode after receiving the trigger information of the BIOS program; when detecting that the processor generates an exit instruction, obtaining power-on self test information after the BIOS program performs a power-on self test operation, and outputting the power-on self test information to a serial port. Power-on self test information may be output without using a motherboard diagnostic card, so that device resources are saved. In addition, the operation is simple, and no human control operation is required.