Patent ID: 7836219
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for authenticating software associated with an embedded device on a host card, comprising the operations of: storing an option ROM BIOS in flash memory on the host card; separately storing during manufacturing of the host card, a predetermined bit pattern in a first memory located on the host card; executing during system startup, the option ROM BIOS for the embedded device; reading, by the option ROM BIOS, a second bit pattern from the first memory; comparing the second bit pattern to the predetermined bit pattern; writing a signature to a second memory located on the host card when the second bit pattern matches the predetermined bit pattern, wherein the option ROM BIOS is terminated if the host card includes the predetermined bit pattern stored in the first memory that does not match the second bit pattern; and continuing post process startup operations even when the option ROM BIOS is terminated.