Patent Publication Number: US-8122112-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for removable device modification of system configuration

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/038,584 filed on Feb. 27, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,769,836 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Removable Device Modification of System Configuration”, which is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/747,319, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,373,498, filed on Dec. 23, 2003 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Remote Modification of System Configuration”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to computer system configurations. Specifically, embodiments relate to remotely changing the system configuration and updating the system configuration utilizing a bus master device. 
     2. Background 
     A computer system includes multiple devices that are necessary for its functioning. These devices must each be started or initialized when the system is powered on or restarted. Most computer systems include a system configuration manager program that handles the basic start up and initialization of the computer system. 
     In some computer systems the basic start up and initialization program or system configuration manager is referred to as the basic input-output system (BIOS). The computer system after power up or restart begins by executing the first instruction of the BIOS. The BIOS initializes the chipset, tests and initializes system memory, and tests and initializes peripheral device functionality. This process is collectively known as Power-on Self Test (POST). After system devices have been properly initialized the BIOS loads a boot-loader program. The boot-loader program is stored in the designated boot sector of a storage device such as a fixed disk. The boot-loader starts the operating system. The operating system then takes control of the computer system. 
     BIOS code is firmware that is stored in a flash memory device. The BIOS code uses configuration data to program user configurable settings during system POST. BIOS configuration data is stored in a nonvolatile memory that is composed of complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS). CMOS is an energy efficient technology allowing it to be supported by a back up battery when a computer system is disconnected from its main power source. Non-volatile data used during POST includes real time clock (RTC) date and time data, drive configurations, system memory settings, operating system settings, serial and parallel port settings and other system settings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that different references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of one embodiment of a computer system. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of one embodiment of a network including a computer system. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of one embodiment of a process for remotely updating a system. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of one embodiment of a process for performing a computer system initialization during start up or restart. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of one embodiment of a process for performing a bus master update. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of one embodiment of a computer system. In one embodiment, computer system  101  may include a central processing unit (CPU)  103  to execute instructions. In another embodiment, computer system  101  may include multiple processors. CPU  103  may be located on a mainboard. In an embodiment with multiple processors, each processor may be located on or attached to the same mainboard or on separate mainboards. CPU  103  may be in communication with a memory hub  105  or similar device. 
     In one embodiment, memory hub  105  provides a communication link between CPU  103  and system memory  109 , input-output (I/O) hub  111  and similar devices such as graphics processor  107 . In one embodiment, memory hub  105  may be a ‘North Bridge’ chipset or similar device. 
     In one embodiment, system memory  109  may be a random access memory (RAM) module or set of modules. In one embodiment, system memory  109  may be composed of synchronized dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate (DDR) RAM or similar memory storage devices. System memory  109  may be used by computer system  101  to store application data, configuration data and similar data. System memory  109  may be volatile memory that loses data when computer system  101  powers down. 
     In one embodiment, other devices may be connected to memory hub  105  such as a graphics processor  107 . Graphics processor  107  may be located directly on the mainboard. In another embodiment, graphics processor  107  may be located on a separate board attached to the mainboard through an interconnect or port. For example, graphics processor  107  may be located on a peripheral card attached to the mainboard through an accelerated graphics port (AGP) slot or similar connection. A graphics card or graphics processor  107  may be connected to a display device  123 . In one embodiment, display device  123  may be a cathode ray tube (CRT) device, liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma device or similar display device. 
     In one embodiment, memory hub  105  may be in communication with an I/O hub  111 . I/O hub  111  provides communication with a set of I/O devices and similar devices such as storage device  125 , complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device  113  or similar memory device, basic input-output system (BIOS)  115 , universal serial bus (USB) controller  117 , network device  119  and similar devices. In one embodiment, I/O hub  111  may be a ‘South Bridge’ chipset or similar device. In another embodiment, memory hub  105  and I/O hub  111  may be a single device. 
     In one embodiment, storage device  125  is a non-volatile storage device such as a fixed disk, physical drive, optical drive, magnetic drive or similar device. Storage device  125  may be used to store application data, operating system data and similar system data. In one embodiment, computer system  101  may include a removable media drive  129 . A removable media drive may be a disk drive, CDROM drive, DVD drive or similar device. In one embodiment, CMOS  113  may store system configuration information, real time clock data (RTC), BIOS data and similar information. CMOS  113  may be a battery backed up memory device or similar non-volatile storage system. BIOS  115  manages system configuration and initialization. BIOS  115  default data may be stored in CMOS  113 . In one embodiment, CMOS  113  and BIOS  115  are part of the same device. 
     In one embodiment, a USB controller  117  may be connected to I/O hub  111 . USB controller  117  may be a type of microcontroller that manages a USB. In one embodiment, USB controller  117  may function as an input device controller serving as an interface between computer system  101  and USB input device  121 . In an exemplary embodiment, USB controller  117  may manage a set of input devices that may include a mouse, printer, web cam and similar devices. 
     In one embodiment, other devices such as a network device  119  may be in communication with I/O Hub  111 . Network device  119  may be a modem, network card, wireless device or similar device. In one embodiment, network device  119  may be integrated into the mainboard. In another embodiment, network device  119  may be a peripheral card connected to the mainboard through a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), PCI Express slot or similar interconnect. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of one embodiment of a system including a remote system configuration updating mechanism. In one embodiment, computer system  101  may be a local machine that is connected to a network  213 . As used herein, the term ‘local machine’ is a computer system with a system configuration manager to update the configuration of the computer system. A ‘remote’ machine or application is connected to the local machine through a network or similar mechanism. Computer system  101  may be a workstation, laptop, desktop or similar computer system. Computer system  101  may be connected to network  213  through network device  119 . Network  213  may be a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet or similar network. As used herein, the term ‘system configuration data’ refers to user configurable settings and hardware settings of a computer system that are set by a system configuration manager such as BIOS  115 . User configurable settings typically include operating system (OS), power management and other general settings. Hardware settings may include processor, memory, bus, graphics processor and similar speed and latency settings. Hardware settings may also include component capacities and similar configuration data. 
     In one embodiment, computer system  101  may contain a local client module  203 . Local client module  203  may be a software application or a hardware device that communicates with server module  211 . The operation of local client module  203  is described in further detail below. Local client module  203  may be stored in storage device  125 , CMOS  113 , removable media drive  129  or similar storage location. 
     In one embodiment, network  213  may be used to connect multiple computer systems together. Additional computer systems such as local machine  205  may also run a local client module  207  to communicate with server module  211 . Server  209  may be connected to network  213  using a network device such as a network card, modem, wireless device or similar device. Server  209  may run a server module  211 . Server module  211  may be an application that is utilized to generate and monitor system configuration data for the various local machines  101 ,  205  connected to network  213 . In one embodiment, server  209  may be a dedicated system, desktop system, laptop system, handheld system or similar system for providing a management tool for the computer systems connected to network  213 . In another embodiment, server  209  may be a shared system running other applications. 
     In one embodiment, server module  211  provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to allow a user to monitor and modify the system configurations of computers networked with server  209 . In another embodiment, the interface provided by server module  211  may not be graphics-based, but rather text-based or another interface may be provided. Server module  211  may communicate with local client modules  203 ,  207  over network  213  to obtain configuration data for each machine and to send new or updated configuration information to the client modules  203 ,  207 . The messages may be formatted in a manner appropriate for communicating system configuration data using any suitable communication protocol. In one embodiment, server module  211  similarly communicates and receives data from multiple client modules  203 ,  207 . Server module  211  may send separate configuration messages to each client module  203 ,  207  or may broadcast configuration data to multiple client modules  203 ,  207 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of one embodiment of a process for remotely updating a system. In one embodiment, each computer system may have a default or local system configuration data that is used during the initialization of the computer. This default configuration may be updated at the machine by utilization of a system configuration manager such as BIOS  115  or a similar application. As used herein the term ‘system configuration manager’ refers to a program or module that manages the system configuration of a computer system locally. A BIOS may be an example of such a system configuration manager. The system configuration manager may be accessed during initialization of a computer system by the manual entry of a key sequence on the keyboard of the computer system. System settings that may be managed by the system configuration manager include device storage sizes, device speeds, CPU speed, system bus speeds, graphics settings, boot settings and similar system settings. 
     In one embodiment, a user may remotely access and alter system settings without manual input at the machine to be reconfigured. A user may utilize a server module  211  to view current system settings or to generate a new configuration for the target computer system. The server module  211  running on server  209  may send the configuration information over network  213  to a local machine  101  (block  313 ). For example, a system administrator may update the operating system software of local machine  101  either locally or remotely. The update of the operating system software may allow the utilization of larger fixed disk storage sizes than was supported by the operating system before the update. Local machine  101  may contain a fixed disk  125  that is larger than was supported by the operating system before the update. The system administrator may create a new system configuration for local machine  101  including an increased size for the fixed disk  125  to better utilize fixed disk  125 . This new configuration may then be sent to local machine  101 . 
     In one embodiment, a client module  203  running on the local machine  101  may receive the incoming configuration data from a network device  119  or similar method (block  315 ). In another embodiment, the configuration data may be applicable to multiple machines and may be broadcast to a set of machines on network  213 . For example, client module  203  may receive the new configuration sent by the system administrator via server module  211  to enable the use of a larger space on fixed disk  125 . 
     In one embodiment, client module  203  may write the received configuration data into a predefined memory space (block  317 ). The predefined memory space may be located in system memory  109 , fixed storage device  125 , removable media drive  129 , CMOS or similar storage device. In another embodiment, a specialized memory device may be used to store the received system configuration data. In a further embodiment, system memory  109  or similar storage device may be modified or provided with a persistent power supply such as a battery back up to maintain the system configuration data during power down or reboot of computer system  101 . For example, the new system configuration created by the system administrator may be written into system memory  109  or storage device  125 . As used herein, the term ‘reboot’ refers to a restarting of a computer system. This restarting may or may not cause a loss of power to volatile memory and loss of data. As used herein the ‘predefined memory area’ refers to the storage area in any appropriate memory device or storage device or a combination of multiple devices where new or updated system configuration data may be stored before it is used to update the default configuration data. 
     In one embodiment, the received system configuration data may be written to the predefined memory area and stored in any appropriate format. In one embodiment, the format of the stored system configuration data may match the format of the default system configuration data stored in CMOS  113  or other location in computer system  101 . As used herein ‘default system configuration data’ refers to system configuration data that may be stored in a non-volatile storage device such as CMOS  113  and used to initialize a computer system until new or updated system configuration data updates it. This default system configuration data may have been previously updated or changed. In a further embodiment, only changes to the current system configuration are transmitted by server module  211  and saved by client module  203 . 
     In one embodiment, a passive updating scheme  337  may be used to update the system configuration with the received configuration data. In one embodiment, when a computer system  101  is rebooted or computer system  101  is powered on the system configuration manager may check to determine if changes to the system configuration are present (block  319 ). If there are changes present then the changes or new configuration may be used to modify or replace the default system configuration data stored by CMOS  113  or other appropriate storage device (block  321 ). For example, after a new or updated configuration is received from a system administrator and stored in the predefined memory area either the next time the system is rebooted or powered on then the system configuration manager examines the predefined memory space to determine if it contains new or changed configuration data. If new or updated data is found, then it may be copied into CMOS  113  to replace or modify the default system configuration data. In one embodiment, the detection of updated or new data involves a comparison of the default configuration data with the received system configuration data. In another embodiment, when the received system configuration data is stored by client module  203  a flag or similar indicator may be set. This indicator may be checked on reboot or power on to determine if new or updated data has been received. 
     In one embodiment, after CMOS  113  or similar storage device for the system configuration data is updated or replaced, the new default system configuration data is used to initialize or start up computer system  101  (block  323 ). In some circumstances this may require another reboot before the system configuration changes may be implemented. Changes to system configuration settings that are currently utilized or already initialized by the system configuration manager at the time of the updating of the system configuration setting may not be resettable while computer system  101  is running. For example, after copying the new configuration settings sent by the system administrator into CMOS  113 , BIOS  115  may reboot the computer. During the subsequent reboot the new system configuration settings and data may be used. 
     In another embodiment, an active system  325  may be used to update system configuration settings. In one embodiment, after client module  203  has received and stored system configuration data from server module  211 , it may notify the system configuration manager, such as BIOS  115 , of the reception of updated or new configuration data (block  327 ). In one embodiment, a system configuration manager may examine the updated or new configuration data to determine if the change of configuration settings can be made while computer system  101  is running. In another embodiment, server module  211  may send an indication of whether the changes can be done while computer system  101  is running. In this case, the system configuration manager checks for this indication. For example, the system configuration update received by computer system  101  may be to adjust the size of fixed disk  125  to increase its recognized capacity. Server module  211  may determine that BIOS  115  and the operating system may be able to handle the dynamic change in capacity of fixed disk drive  125  and not require a reboot of computer system  101 . 
     In one embodiment, after the system configuration manager is notified regarding the new or updated configuration data, it may copy the changes or new settings into the storage area for the default configuration settings such as CMOS  113  (block  329 ). A check may then be made to determine if the changes in the settings require a reboot of computer system  101  (block  331 ). This may be accomplished by checking for a direct indication from server module  211  or by analyzing the type of changes to the settings that were made. For example, BIOS  115  may implement the increase in recognized capacity of a fixed disk  125 . It may then make a determination whether this configuration change requires a reboot of computer system  101  to completely implement the change without causing errors. 
     In one embodiment, if the changes to the system configuration do not require a reboot then the changes may be implemented and computer system  101  continues to function with the changes indicated by the new system configuration settings (block  333 ). If the changes to the system configuration require that the system be rebooted, then client module  203 , system configuration manager, or the operating system may initiate a reboot of computer system  101  to complete the change in system configuration settings. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of one embodiment of a process for performing a system initialization. In one embodiment, system initialization may occur when computer system  101  is powered on or reset (block  401 ). Computer system  101  begins execution of a system configuration manager which may start the initialization of basic system components (block  403 ). Basic system components may include the chipset, RTC and similar components. Initialization may continue by configuring all plug and play devices such as modems, graphics cards, network cards and similar peripheral cards and devices (block  405 ). 
     In one embodiment, a similar system configuration manager may check the predefined memory area to determine if the default system configuration needs to be updated (block  407 ). This may be determined through comparison between the default system configuration data and new or updated system configuration data or by detecting an update indicator. The system configuration manager may then begin the process of copying over or updating the default system configuration settings saved in CMOS  113  or similar non-volatile storage. The system configuration manager may then start to alter system settings in accordance with the changes indicated in the updated or new configuration data. 
     In one embodiment, the system configuration manager may determine whether it may be necessary to reboot computer system  101  (block  411 ). This may be determined by detecting a stored indicator requiring reboot or by analysis of the changes to the system settings in the new system configuration. If a reboot is necessary the reboot process may be restarted with the new configuration data having been stored in the default configuration space. If the reboot is not necessary, then the system configuration manager may continue and complete the initialization of the components of computer system  101  (block  413 ). When the initialization is complete, the system configuration manager may call a boot-load program to start up the appropriate operating system for computer system  101  (block  415 ). The operating system then takes primary control over computer system  101 . 
     In one embodiment, server module  211  may send to client module  203  additional commands and information. Server module  211  may indicate whether the handling of configuration information is to be handled using an active method  325  or a passive method  337 . Server module  211  may determine when or if the target computer system should reboot during a system reconfiguration process. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart of one embodiment of a process of performing a system configuration update utilizing a bus master device. As used herein, a ‘bus master device’ is any device that is capable of driving the internal bus of computer system  101 . This enables the device to read and write to the memory space of computer system  101 . A bus master device may be attached to computer system  101  as a USB device  121 , serial device, wireless device, infra red device or similar device coupled to a USB port, serial port, parallel port, 1394 port (firewire) or similar port or connection device of computer system  101 . 
     In one embodiment, the bus master device may be capable of interfacing with a system management application similar to server module  211 . This system management application may be able to monitor the system configuration of a target computer system  101 . 
     In one embodiment, the system management application may generate a system configuration and communicate this configuration to bus master device  121  (block  501 ). In one embodiment, bus master device  121  may be capable of storing the configuration. In another embodiment, bus master device  121  may retransmit the system configuration data by writing it to the predefined memory space (block  503 ). For example, a USB device with a memory module may be connected to a system configuration management application that loads a system configuration into the memory module of the USB device. The USB device may then be connected to a local machine  101  and the USB device may load the system configuration data from its internal memory module into the predefined memory space of local machine  101 . 
     In one embodiment, bus master device  121  may support both a passive method  505  and an active method  507  of updating the system configuration of a target machine. In a passive method of updating the system configuration the update may occur during the next reboot or power on of computer system  101 . During the reboot process the system configuration manager may check for updates to the system configuration (block  509 ). In one embodiment, the system configuration manager may make a comparison between the default system configuration stored in CMOS  113  or similar non-volatile storage and new system configuration data stored in the predefined memory space. In another embodiment, the system configuration manager may detect an indicator that changes or a new configuration is to be implemented. 
     In one embodiment, the system configuration manager will update the default system configuration data in CMOS or similar non-volatile storage with the new system configuration data during the start up or reboot (block  511 ). The system configuration manager may then implement the new configuration in computer system  101  (block  513 ). In another embodiment, the system configuration manager may reboot computer system  101  to complete the implementation of the updated system configuration settings. 
     In one embodiment, an active update system  507  may be used. After the bus master has stored the new or updated system configuration data in the predefined memory space, the bus master may notify or provide an indicator to the system configuration manager that system configuration settings are to be changed (block  515 ). System configuration manager may then copy the new or updated configuration data from the predefined memory space to the default storage area such as CMOS  113  or similar non-volatile memory device or similarly update the default system configuration data (block  517 ). 
     In one embodiment, the system configuration manager may make a decision whether it is necessary to reboot to complete the implementation of the system settings (block  519 ). The system configuration manager may determine whether reboot is necessary by analyzing the types of system configuration changes that need to be made. In another embodiment, the system configuration manager may check for an indicator received from the bus master or stored by the bus master in a predefined location. 
     In one embodiment, a reboot may be necessary to complete the implementation of the updated or new system configuration settings. System configuration manager or operating system may initiate the reboot of the system and complete the implementation of the new default system settings during the start up sequence. In another embodiment, a reboot is not necessary to effect the changes to the system settings. The system configuration manager implements the updated or new configuration data stored in the default memory storage area and the operation of computer system continues. 
     In one embodiment, system configuration data may also be utilized by an advanced configuration and power management interface (ACPI) or similar interface. ACPI provides methods such as load and unload methods which facilitate the loading and unloading of definition blocks used to configure hardware devices in the computer system. In one embodiment, where a reboot of the system is not necessary to implement system configuration changes, ACPI definition blocks related to the system changes may be loaded or unloaded to implement modifications to the system configuration. This may include adding new methods in a definition block. These methods may be written in ACPI source language (ASL). 
     In one embodiment, the improved system configuration updating system may be implemented as software and stored on a machine readable medium. As used herein a machine readable medium may be a medium capable of storing or transmitting data and similar information such as a fixed disk, physical drive, CDROM, DVD, optical disk, wireless transmission, optical transmission, infra red transmission, and similar storage devices and transmission systems. 
     In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.