System and method for information handling system interoperable firmware storage
View Patent ↗Interoperable firmware for an information handling system supports embedded controller and chipset operations from a common SPI flash ROM. The embedded controller is disposed between the chipset and the flash ROM with a pass through port integrated in the embedded controller selectively providing primary access to firmware by the chipset or the embedded controller. The pass through port provides chipset access to firmware without inducing delays for normal system operations, yet provides an integrated switch for control and access of the firmware by the embedded controller for updating of firmware settings and firmware diagnostics. Application of power to the embedded controller allows access to chipset firmware even where the chipset lacks power, such as during manufacture of the information handling system.
1. An information handling system comprising:
plural processing components operable to process information;
a chipset interfaced with the processing components and operable to manage interfacing of the processing components at a physical layer;
an embedded controller interfaced with but separate from the chipset and operable to manage power to the processing components, the embedded controller having a pass through port; and
flash ROM interfaced with the embedded controller, the flash ROM storing firmware for operation by the chipset and for operation by the embedded controller, the chipset operable to interface with the flash ROM through the pass through port;
wherein the embedded controller is further operable to select primary access to the flash ROM by the chipset or primary access by the embedded controller.
2. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the flash ROM comprises SPI flash ROM.
3. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the embedded controller is further operable to assume primary access to the flash ROM to change chipset firmware settings.
4. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the embedded controller is further operable to assume primary access to the flash ROM to perform firmware diagnostics.
5. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the embedded controller automatically assumes primary access if the chipset lacks power.
6. The information handling system of claim 1 further comprising a LOM interfaced with the chipset and with the pass through port, the LOM operable to access firmware on the flash ROM.
7. A method for managing interoperable firmware of an information handling system, the method comprising:
storing executable firmware on a flash ROM;
connecting the flash ROM to an embedded controller;
connecting a chipset to the embedded controller;
communicating the executable firmware between the chipset and the flash ROM by passing information through the embedded controller;
executing the executable firmware on the chipset; and
selectively accessing, by one of the embedded controller or the chipset, the executable firmware from the flash ROM.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the flash ROM comprises a SPI flash ROM.
9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:
connecting a LOM to the embedded controller; and
communicating between the LOM and the flash ROM by passing information through the embedded controller.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein selectively accessing the firmware with the embedded controller further comprises:
changing with the embedded controller one or more firmware settings associated with the chipset.
11. The method of claim 7 wherein selectively accessing the firmware with the embedded controller further comprises:
running diagnostics with the embedded controller on chipset firmware.
12. The method of claim 7 wherein selectively accessing the firmware with the embedded controller further comprises:
powering down the chipset;
powering up the embedded controller; and
interacting with chipset firmware through the embedded controller.
13. The method of claim 7 wherein selectively accessing the firmware with the embedded controller further comprises:
altering the chipset firmware with the embedded controller while running the chipset.
14. The method of claim 7 wherein selectively accessing the firmware with the embedded controller further comprises:
selectively activating an arbitrage pin of the chipset for the embedded controller to have primary access to the flash ROM.
15. A system for managing interoperable firmware of an information handling system, the system comprising:
a chipset operable to coordinate communication between processing components of the information handling system;
an embedded controller operable to coordinate power management of processing components of the information handling system;
a flash ROM connected to the embedded controller and storing the firmware, the embedded controller operable to selectively access the firmware; and
a pass through port integrated in the embedded controller to selectively interface the chipset with the firmware;
wherein the embedded controller is further operable to default primary access to the firmware by the chipset and to activate primary access to the firmware by the embedded controller if the chipset lacks power.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the embedded controller is further operable to alter the firmware while the chipset operates.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein the embedded controller alters firmware settings for operation of the chipset.
18. The system of claim 16 wherein the flash ROM comprises SPI flash ROM.