IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,423,756
Granted Patent B2
US 8,423,756 · App. 13/035,047 · Granted Apr 16, 2013

Remote management of UEFI BIOS settings and configuration

Inventor: Tracy D. Harmer (Taylor, TX)
Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,423,756
App. No.
13/035,047
Filed
Feb 25, 2011
Granted
Apr 16, 2013
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2116
USPC
713/2
Abstract

In an information handling system (IHS), remote management of basic input/output system (BIOS) settings and configuration includes maintaining a BIOS setting/configuration database, providing an application to communicate a BIOS setting/configuration from the database to a BIOS system, determining whether the BIOS setting/configuration communicated from the database to the BIOS system is a special BIOS configuration capsule packet, and validating BIOS setting/configuration.

Claims (66)

1. A method for updating basic input/output system (BIOS) settings and configuration on an Information Handling System (IHS), comprising:

maintaining a BIOS setting/configuration database;

providing an IHS coupled to the BIOS setting/configuration database through a network, wherein the IHS includes a BIOS and an operating system (OS) including an OS device driver;

communicating with the OS device driver by an application during a boot process of the OS, wherein the communicating is performed prior to a user logging on to the IHS;

accessing the BIOS setting/configuration database by the application to combine a plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data that is based on the IHS into a special BIOS configuration capsule packet;

communicating the special BIOS configuration capsule packet by the application to the OS device driver;

passing the special BIOS configuration capsule packet from the OS device driver to a capsule runtime service driver as a special capsule data packet;

determining, by the capsule runtime service driver, that the special capsule data packet is a special BIOS configuration capsule packet; and

validating the plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data that is based on the IHS in the special BIOS configuration capsule packet against a plurality of currently used BIOS setting/configuration data being used by the BIOS.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the BIOS is a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) BIOS, a legacy BIOS, or an extensible firmware interface (EFI) BIOS.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining that there are differences between the plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data and the plurality of currently used BIOS setting/configuration data; and

updating the plurality of currently used BIOS setting configuration data being used by the BIOS to conform with the plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

initiating a restart mechanism subsequent to the updating.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the restart mechanism is a special S 3 resume mechanism.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining that there are no differences between the plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data and the plurality of currently used BIOS setting/configuration data; and

completing the boot process.

7. A method for updating basic input/output system (BIOS) settings and configuration on an Information Handling System (IHS), comprising:

maintaining a BIOS setting/configuration database;

providing an IHS coupled to the BIOS setting/configuration database through a network, wherein the IHS includes a BIOS and an operating system (OS) including an OS device driver;

communicating with the OS device driver by an application in response to receiving log on information for the IHS associated with a user;

accessing the BIOS setting/configuration database by the application to combine a plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data that is based on the IHS and the user into a special BIOS configuration capsule packet;

communicating the special BIOS configuration capsule packet by the application to the OS device driver;

passing the special BIOS configuration capsule packet from the OS device driver to a capsule runtime service driver as a special capsule data packet;

determining, by the capsule runtime service driver, that the special capsule data packet is a special BIOS configuration capsule packet; and

validating the plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data that is based on the IHS and the user in the special BIOS configuration capsule packet against a plurality of currently used BIOS setting/configuration data being used by the BIOS.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the BIOS is a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) BIOS, a legacy BIOS, or an extensible firmware interface (EFI) BIOS.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

determining that there are differences between the plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data and the plurality of currently used BIOS setting/configuration data; and

updating the plurality of currently used BIOS setting configuration data being used by the BIOS to conform with the plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

initiating a restart mechanism subsequent to the updating.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the restart mechanism is a special S 3 resume mechanism.

12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

determining that there are no differences between the plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data and the plurality of currently used BIOS setting/configuration data; and

allowing the user to log on to the IHS.

13. A method for updating basic input/output system (BIOS) settings and configuration on Information Handling Systems (IHSs), comprising:

maintaining a BIOS setting/configuration database;

providing a first IHS coupled to the BIOS setting/configuration database through a network, wherein the first IHS includes a first BIOS and a first operating system (OS) including a first OS device driver;

communicating with the first OS device driver by an application;

accessing the BIOS setting/configuration database by the application to combine a plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data into a special BIOS configuration capsule packet;

communicating the special BIOS configuration capsule packet by the application to the first OS device driver;

passing the special BIOS configuration capsule packet from the first OS device driver to a first capsule runtime service driver as a special capsule data packet;

determining, by the first capsule runtime service driver, that the special capsule data packet is a special BIOS configuration capsule packet; and

validating the plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data in the special BIOS configuration capsule packet against a plurality of currently used BIOS setting/configuration data being used by the first BIOS.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first BIOS is a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) BIOS, a legacy BIOS, or an extensible firmware interface (EFI) BIOS.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

determining that there are differences between the plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data and the plurality of currently used BIOS setting/configuration data; and

updating the plurality of currently used BIOS setting configuration data being used by the first BIOS to conform with the plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

initiating a restart mechanism subsequent to the updating.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the restart mechanism is a special S 3 resume mechanism.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

providing a plurality of second IHSs coupled to the BIOS setting/configuration database through a network, wherein the plurality of second IHSs each include a second BIOS and a second operating system (OS) including a second OS device driver;

communicating with the second OS device drivers by an application;

accessing the BIOS setting/configuration database by the application to combine a plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data into a special BIOS configuration capsule packet;

communicating the special BIOS configuration capsule packet by the application to the second OS device drivers;

passing the special BIOS configuration capsule packet from the second OS device drivers to corresponding second capsule runtime service drivers as a special capsule data packet;

determining, by the second capsule runtime service drivers, that the special capsule data packet is a special BIOS configuration capsule packet; and

validating the plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data in the special BIOS configuration capsule packet against a plurality of currently used BIOS setting/configuration data being used by the second BIOSs.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

determining that there are differences between the plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data and the plurality of currently used BIOS setting/configuration data; and

updating the plurality of currently used BIOS setting configuration data being used by the second BIOSs to conform with the plurality of currently authorized BIOS setting/configuration data.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the application is operable to communicate with the first OS device driver and the second OS device drivers to communicate the special BIOS configuration capsule packet at scheduled times.

Assignments (14)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 12032732 · Feb 18, 2008
Related Publication 20110154009A1 · Jun 23, 2011