Patent ID: 7603562
Filing Date: 2009-10-13
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for reducing the memory requirements of firmware stored in a computing device, comprising: dividing a firmware image to create a plurality of virtual ROM modules, the plurality of virtual ROM modules stored in at least one location outside a ROM image located on the computing device; including a reference for each of the plurality of virtual ROM modules in a build of firmware placed in the ROM image, each reference including a message digest and a unique identifier for an associated virtual ROM module; placing a search variable into the ROM image, the search variable indicating at least one location from which it may be possible to retrieve one of the plurality of virtual ROM modules; retrieving a selected one of the plurality of virtual ROM modules during pre-boot using the search variable and the unique identifier in the reference associated with the selected one of the plurality of virtual ROM modules, and verifying the selected one of the plurality of virtual ROM modules during pre-boot using the message digest in the reference associated with the selected one of the plurality of virtual ROM modules.