Hardware Watchdog Timer Ownership Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information handling systems limit user applications from accessing and controlling hardware watchdog timers during OS runtime, posing risks for critical and security-sensitive applications due to sole OS kernel ownership, which can lead to indefinite hung states in case of OS errors.
Innovation Solution
The system allows users to selectively choose between OS-ownership and user-application ownership of the hardware watchdog timer through a boot setup utility, enabling authorized user applications to access and configure the hardware watchdog timer during OS runtime using a watchdog timer driver and application program interface, and allowing multiple applications to share the timer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the OS kernel has sole ownership of the hardware watchdog timer during OS runtime, then the system maintains simple control structure, but user applications cannot access the watchdog timer for error recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the watchdog timer resource allocation by creating separate ownership modes: OS kernel ownership for system-level monitoring and user application ownership for application-level error recovery. This segmentation allows different parts of the system to independently control the watchdog timer according to their specific needs, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and control simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic ownership transfer mechanisms that allow the watchdog timer control to switch between OS kernel and user applications based on runtime conditions. The boot firmware can configure ownership at startup, and the system can dynamically allocate watchdog timer access to authorized applications, making the control structure flexible rather than static.
2Reliability
If the OS kernel exclusively controls the hardware watchdog timer, then control is centralized and simple, but the system reliability decreases for critical applications
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting watchdog timer control authority between the OS kernel and user applications, the patent enables specialized error recovery mechanisms for critical applications without compromising system-level monitoring. Each segment (OS and applications) can implement reliability measures appropriate to their specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot firmware acts as an intermediary that establishes ownership rules and manages the transition of watchdog timer control from the OS to authorized user applications. This intermediary layer ensures that reliability enhancements for applications do not create conflicts with system-level control, as the intermediary coordinates access and maintains proper ownership state.
3Reliability
If user applications are allowed to access the hardware watchdog timer, then error recovery improves, but control conflicts and system stability risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing watchdog timer ownership during the boot process before the OS and applications begin runtime operations. The boot firmware configures ownership rules in advance, preventing control conflicts during execution. Authorized applications have their ownership rights predetermined, eliminating runtime contention and ensuring system stability while enabling error recovery.
4Ease of operation
If the hardware watchdog timer is reserved for OS kernel use only, then system control is simplified, but user applications face indefinite hung states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments watchdog timer functionality into system-level monitoring (OS kernel) and application-level error recovery (user applications). This segmentation allows each to operate independently with appropriate oversight, maintaining ease of operation for system control while enabling applications to recover from hung states through their own watchdog timer access.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of information handling systems and methods are provided herein to selectively control ownership of a hardware watchdog timer (WDT) provided on a system platform of an information handling system (IHS), which is configured to store and execute boot firmware, an operating system (OS) and one or more user applications. One embodiment of a method disclosed herein may include receiving user input in a boot setup utility of the boot firmware to select between OS-ownership and user application-ownership of the hardware WDT during OS runtime, and controlling ownership of the hardware WDT during OS runtime based on the user input received in the boot setup utility. Another embodiment of a method disclosed herein may authorize one or more user applications prior to controlling ownership of the hardware WDT during OS runtime, so that only authorized user applications are enabled to use the hardware WDT.