JP6349827B2 - Information processing apparatus, initialization method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an initialization method, and a program therefor, and particularly relates to improvement of initialization.

  In a computer system such as a server, the larger the scale, the more necessary initialization processing of hardware, etc., and the longer time it takes to start operation after turning on the power There is.

  Furthermore, when changing the setting value (hereinafter referred to as BIOS setting value) of BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), it is necessary to restart in order to reflect the changed BIOS setting value on the server. Therefore, when changing the BIOS setting value, more time is required before the system can be started.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a technique for shortening the server activation time after the BIOS setting value is changed. The information processing apparatus described in this patent document transmits the copy data of the BIOS setting value to a BIOS update setting apparatus different from its own apparatus, and rewrites the copy data at the next startup. As a result, the BIOS setup operation can be performed at a timing convenient to the user.

  The information processing apparatus described in Patent Literature 2 stores a typical BIOS setup setting pattern in advance and selects a setting pattern from the typical BIOS setup setting pattern. Therefore, in the information processing apparatus, it is not necessary to set complicated BIOS setup setting information every time the setup is performed, and a simple initial setting BIOS system capable of quickly setting the BIOS setup can be constructed.

JP 2012-098857 A JP 2000-298579 A

  When using the technique of the above document, there are the following problems. That is, when changing the BIOS setting value, the system is restarted once in order to activate the BIOS setup menu, and the BIOS setup menu is activated by a specific key input. Then, after changing the BIOS setting value in the BIOS setup menu, the system is restarted again, and the hardware is initialized and the OS is started based on the updated BIOS setting value. Therefore, when the BIOS setting value is changed, there is a problem that it takes more time until the system operation can be started after the power is turned on.

  In Patent Document 1, when the BIOS itself is updated, there is a possibility that the format of the BIOS setting value and the offset of the setting value are changed. Therefore, every time the BIOS is updated, the copy data of the BIOS setting value possessed by the BIOS update setting device must also be updated. In addition, the system needs to be restarted, and there is still a problem that it takes time.

  Since Patent Document 2 selects BIOS setup information from a preset BIOS setting pattern, the application is limited when the preset BIOS setting pattern matches a desired setting. Further, it is necessary to restart the system every time a setup setting pattern is selected, and there is still a problem that it takes time.

  The objective of this invention is providing the information processing apparatus which can shorten the system starting time accompanying the update of a BIOS setting value, and the initialization method.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a BIOS execution unit that initializes hardware, a BIOS setting value storage unit that stores a BIOS setting value that describes a type and a setting value of the hardware to be initialized, BIOS setting value updating means for updating the BIOS setting value, and the BIOS execution means communicates between each of the BIOS setting value storage means, the BIOS execution means, and the BIOS setting value update means. The BIOS setting value updating unit updates the BIOS setting value, and the BIOS execution unit updates the BIOS setting value based on the BIOS setting value updated by the BIOS setting value updating unit. The hardware to be initialized is initialized.

  The initialization processing method of the present invention initializes the BIOS setting value after initializing the hardware necessary for updating the BIOS setting value describing the type of hardware to be initialized and the setting value. The hardware to be initialized is initialized based on the updated BIOS setting value.

  The computer program of the present invention includes a process of initializing hardware necessary for updating a BIOS setting value describing a type of hardware to be initialized and a setting value, and then updating the BIOS setting value. And causing the computer to execute a process of initializing the hardware to be initialized based on the updated BIOS setting value.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the system startup time associated with updating the BIOS setting value.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram illustrating a hardware circuit of the information processing apparatus in which the information processing apparatus is realized by a computer device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the BIOS setting value. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing apparatus. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation of updating the BIOS setting value by selecting a character string (cursor movement) in the BIOS setting value updating unit. FIG. 5A shows a character string for inquiring whether or not the BIOS setting value is updated. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a character string indicating a category of the BIOS setting value, and FIG. 5C is a diagram showing details of the current BIOS setting value. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  A first embodiment for carrying out the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The information processing apparatus 10 includes a BIOS execution unit 11, a BIOS setting value storage unit 12, and a BIOS setting value update unit 13.

  The BIOS execution unit 11 executes hardware initialization processing in the information processing apparatus 10.

  The BIOS setting value storage unit 12 stores a BIOS setting value (hereinafter also referred to as setting information) describing the type of hardware to be initialized and the setting value.

  The BIOS setting value update unit 13 updates the BIOS setting value. The BIOS set value update unit 13 includes an operation unit 14.

  The operation unit 14 includes an input device on which a user performs input / output operations for displaying the BIOS setting value and updating the BIOS setting value.

  First, the BIOS execution unit 11 is a process of initializing the minimum hardware necessary for communication among the BIOS execution unit 11, the BIOS setting value storage unit 12, and the BIOS setting value update unit 13. Perform the first initialization.

  Thereafter, the BIOS setting value update unit 13 acquires the BIOS setting value from the BIOS setting value storage unit 12, and the acquired BIOS setting value is set according to the setting information regarding the minimum hardware for which the first initialization is completed. Update.

  Then, the BIOS execution unit 11 performs the second initialization, which is the initialization of the initialization target hardware (the remaining hardware to be initialized), based on the BIOS setting value updated by the BIOS setting value update unit 13. Do.

  In this way, the information processing apparatus 10 firstly performs the minimum hardware initialization for performing BIOS setup (setting of the BIOS setting value 150) after the power is turned on, and secondly, the minimum The BIOS setting value 150 is updated before initialization of the remaining hardware by using the hardware that has been initialized. Third, the information processing apparatus 10 performs initialization processing of the remaining hardware based on the updated BIOS setting value 150. As a result, it is not necessary to restart the system after updating the BIOS setting value 150.

  The hardware initialization includes, for example, each item in POST (Power On Self Test), which is generally performed using BIOS.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram illustrating a hardware circuit of the information processing apparatus 100 in which the information processing apparatus 10 is realized by a computer apparatus.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU 110, a memory (other device) 120, a chip set 130, a non-volatile memory 140, a flash memory 160, and a BMC (Baseboard Management Controller) 180.

  The CPU 110 includes a cache 111.

  The chip set 130 is a part of the initialization target hardware connected to the CPU 110 and the memory 120. The chip set 130 includes a chip set A 131 that does not affect the update of the BIOS setting value 150 in the initialization process, and a chip set B 132 that is to be initialized based on the BIOS setting value 150. The chip set 130 may be a circuit portion of a part of the function of the CPU 110, or may be another electronic circuit chip that operates in cooperation with the CPU 110. The initialization target based on the BIOS setting value 150 includes circuits (for example, the CPU 110 and the memory 120) other than the chip set B132.

  Each of the chip set A 131 and the chip set B 132 may be a different area of the single chip set 130, or may be configured in different mounting forms.

  The nonvolatile memory 140 stores a BIOS setting value 150. The nonvolatile memory 140 may store a control program that is read and executed by the CPU 110.

  The information processing apparatus 100 performs hardware initialization processing and OS (Operating System) activation based on the BIOS setting value 150.

  The flash memory 160 stores the BIOS 170. The BIOS 170 is firmware for the information processing apparatus 100 to control the entire information processing apparatus 100, in particular, hardware initialization processing and OS activation based on the BIOS setting value 150 described above.

  The BMC 180 includes a console 181. The BMC is firmware for performing input / output operations for displaying the BIOS setting value 150 and updating the BIOS setting value 150.

  The console 181 performs input / output operations for displaying the BIOS setting value 150 and updating the BIOS setting value 150. Note that the console 181 may be a communication terminal instead.

  Here, the BIOS execution unit 11 in the information processing apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 is realized by the CPU 110 reading out and executing the BIOS 170.

  The BIOS set value storage unit 12 in FIG. 1 is realized by the nonvolatile memory 140.

  Also, the BIOS set value update unit 13 in FIG. 1 is realized by the BMC 180.

  1 is realized by the console 181.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the BIOS setting value 150.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the BIOS setting value 150 includes a BIOS setup menu item 151, a processor initialization setting value 152, a memory initialization setting value 153, a PCI (Prival Component Interconnect) initialization setting value 154, etc. Setting values for initializing the hardware, and further setting values necessary for starting up the information processing apparatus 10 are provided.

  In addition, the setting information (152 to 154) of each hardware may include more detailed setting items. Further, the BIOS setting value 150 may target hardware other than that shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing apparatus 10. The operation of the information processing apparatus 10 is based on a program executed by the CPU 110 of the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation for updating the BIOS setting value 150 by selecting a character string (cursor movement) in the BIOS setting value updating unit 13.

  5A is a diagram showing a character string for inquiring whether the BIOS setting value 150 is updated, FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a character string showing a category of the BIOS setting value 150, and FIG. ) Is a diagram showing details of the current BIOS setting value.

  Each character string shown in FIG. 5 is obtained by displaying information stored in the BIOS setup menu item 151 in FIG. 3 by the operation unit 14 via the BIOS setting value update unit 13.

  Further, the character string in FIG. 5 (alphabetic notation in the figure) is an example of a character string, and may be another notation.

  Hereinafter, in the description of the flowchart of FIG. 4, the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

  First, after the information processing apparatus 10 is turned on, the BIOS execution unit 11 communicates with each other of the BIOS execution unit 11, the BIOS setting value storage unit 12, and the BIOS setting value update unit 13 (in FIG. The minimum necessary necessary for opening the hardware, for example, the host bus I / F, for realizing the communication using the area of the chipset A131 that is the initialization target, hereinafter referred to as the BIOS-BMC communication) The hardware is initialized (first initialization).

  Further, the BIOS execution unit 11 reads out (obtains) the BIOS setting value 150, that is, the BIOS setup menu item 151, various initialization setting values 152 to 154, and the like (FIG. 3) from the BIOS setting value storage unit 12. The initialization process is included in the first initialization (step A01).

  After the first initialization process is completed, the BIOS execution unit 11 transmits the BIOS setting value storage unit 12 (BMC 180) to the BIOS setting value update unit 13 (BMC 180) through the BIOS-BMC communication opened via the chipset A131. A character string (FIG. 5A) for inquiring whether the BIOS setup menu item 151 acquired from the non-volatile memory 140 has an update is transmitted (step A02).

  The BIOS setting value update unit 13 that has received the character string from the BIOS execution unit 11 displays the character string using the operation unit 14 (step B01).

  The user selects and inputs a character string indicating the presence / absence of update (Yes or No) according to the instruction of the inquiry character string displayed on the operation unit 14.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the character string selection method is such that the character string to be selected can be selected by moving the cursor, and the selected character string is shown in parentheses (see FIG. The display is completed in a state surrounded by “”. As a result, as will be described later, the BIOS execution unit 11 can determine whether or not the BIOS setting value 150 needs to be updated based on the selected character string as described above. Become.

  Next, the BIOS setting value update unit 13 transmits the input character string indicating the BIOS setting value to the BIOS execution unit 11 by BIOS-BMC communication (step B02).

  The BIOS execution unit 11 refers to the response to the update inquiry of the BIOS setup menu item 151 received from the BIOS setting value update unit 13 (Step A03) and determines whether or not the BIOS setting value is updated (Step A04). In the case of Yes in step A04, the process proceeds to a process for updating the BIOS setting value 150 (step A05). In the case of No, in accordance with the current BIOS setting value, initialization processing for hardware (chipset B132, etc.) Second initialization) (steps A08 and A09).

  That is, the BIOS execution unit 11 needs to be updated when the character string for inquiring whether or not the BIOS setup menu item 151 has an update is “Yes”, and does not need to be updated when it is “No”. It is determined that

  If the BIOS execution unit 11 determines that the BIOS setting value 150 needs to be updated in step A04, the BIOS execution unit 11 acquires the BIOS setup menu item and the current setting value (FIG. 3) from the BIOS setting value storage unit 13 ( Step A05).

  Next, the BIOS execution unit 11 transmits to the BIOS setting value update unit 13 a character string (FIG. 5B) for inquiring whether to update all the BIOS setting values or to update / reference a part of the BIOS setting values. (Step A06).

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the BIOS execution unit 11 sends a character string indicating the category of the BIOS setting value 150 included in the BIOS setup menu item 151 to the BIOS setting value update unit 13 to update the BIOS setting value. The user is inquired via the unit 13 (step B03).

  Then, the BIOS set value update unit 13 sends a character string as a result of a user input from the operation unit 14 to the BIOS execution unit 11 (step B04).

  The BIOS execution unit 11 that has received the character string from the BIOS set value update unit 13 further sets the BIOS setup menu item and the current set value (FIG. 5 (FIG. 5)) according to the result input by the user. c)) is transmitted to the BIOS set value updating unit 13 (steps A07, A06, B03, B04).

  For example, when “Processor” is selected as the category of the BIOS setting value 150 in FIG. 5B, the BIOS execution unit 11 displays the character string of the BIOS setup menu item related to “Processor” as shown in FIG. Is transmitted to the BIOS set value updating unit 13.

  Note that after updating the BIOS setting value 150 related to “Processor”, if there is a category to be updated other than “Processor”, for example, as shown in FIG. 5C, the user sets “Continued”. Select it.

  In accordance with this, the BIOS execution unit 11 transmits the category selection character string shown in FIG. 5B to the BIOS setting value update unit 13 again.

  When the update of all the BIOS setting values 150 is completed, if “End” shown in FIG. 5C displayed on the BIOS setup menu of each category is selected, the BIOS executing unit 11 can execute the BIOS setting. It can be determined that the update of the value 150 has been completed.

  When the update of all the BIOS setting values 150 that the user wants to update is completed, the BIOS execution unit 11 determines that the CPU 110, the memory (other devices) 120, the chipset B132, etc. according to the updated BIOS setting values 150. The hardware initialization (second initialization) is started (step A08).

  The CPU 10 performs minimal initialization at the stage of step A01 (first initialization), but in the second initialization, initialization is performed for items other than this.

  The BIOS execution unit 11 temporarily stores the updated BIOS setting value 150 in, for example, the cache 111 of the CPU 110, and when the hardware initialization proceeds and writing into the nonvolatile memory 140 becomes possible. It is sufficient to write to the nonvolatile memory 140 (step A09).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is necessary to select the BIOS setting value 150 by selecting a character string by moving the cursor in the BIOS setting value updating unit 13 (and the operation unit 14). This is because the hardware initialization of the chipset B132 has not been performed at this stage, and therefore the chipset A131 is compared with the operation in the BIOS setup menu when the hardware initialization of the entire chipset 130 has been performed. This is because operations that can be performed only by initialization are limited.

  The information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has the following effects.

  The system startup time associated with updating the BIOS setting value 150 can be shortened.

The reason is that the information processing apparatus 10 updates the BIOS setting value 150 after turning on the power and before initialization of the hardware, and performs the hardware initialization process based on the updated BIOS setting value 150. This makes it unnecessary to restart the system after updating the BIOS setting value 150.
<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 200 includes a BIOS execution unit 11, a BIOS setting value storage unit 12, and a BIOS setting value update unit 13.

  As in the first embodiment, the present embodiment is realized by a hardware circuit of the information processing apparatus 100 that is the computer apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2, for example.

  The BIOS execution unit 11 executes hardware initialization.

  The BIOS setting value storage unit 12 stores a BIOS setting value (BIOS setting information) describing the type of hardware to be initialized and the setting value.

  The BIOS setting value update unit 13 updates the BIOS setting value.

  In the information processing apparatus 200, after the BIOS execution unit 11 initializes hardware necessary for communication between the BIOS setting value storage unit 12, the BIOS execution unit 11, and the BIOS setting value update unit 13, The BIOS set value update unit 12 updates the BIOS set value, and the BIOS execution unit 11 initializes the hardware to be initialized based on the BIOS set value updated by the BIOS set value update unit 13.

  The information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment has the following effects.

  The system startup time associated with updating the BIOS setting value 150 can be shortened.

  The reason is that the information processing apparatus 200 updates the BIOS setting value 150 after turning on the power and before initialization of the hardware, and executes initialization of the hardware based on the updated BIOS setting value 150. This makes it unnecessary to restart the system after updating the BIOS setting value 150.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Information processing apparatus 11 BIOS execution part 12 BIOS setting value storage part 13 BIOS setting value update part 14 Operation part 100 Information processing apparatus 110 CPU
120 memory (other devices)
130 Chipset 131 Chipset A
132 Chipset B
140 Nonvolatile Memory 150 BIOS Setting Value 151 BIOS Setup Menu Item 152 Processor Initialization Setting Value 153 Memory Initialization Setting Value 154 PCI Initialization Setting Value 160 Flash Memory 170 BIOS
180 BMC
181 Console 200 Information processing device

Claims (7)

BIOS execution means for executing initialization of hardware;
BIOS setting value storage means for storing a BIOS setting value describing the type and setting value of the hardware to be initialized;
BIOS setting value updating means for updating the BIOS setting value,
The BIOS execution means is hardware that is not affected by the update of the BIOS setting value among the hardware, and includes the BIOS setting value storage means, the BIOS execution means, and the BIOS setting value update means. After initializing the hardware necessary for communication between each of the first initialization, including initialization processing for reading out the BIOS setting value from the BIOS setting value storage means,
The BIOS setting value updating means updates the BIOS setting value;
Based on the BIOS setting value updated by the BIOS setting value updating means, the BIOS executing means is the remaining hardware other than the hardware for which the first initialization of the hardware to be initialized has been executed. An information processing apparatus that executes a second initialization for initializing the hardware. The BIOS set value update means further comprises an operation means for displaying a character string indicating the BIOS set value,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the BIOS setting value updating unit updates the BIOS setting value based on selection of the character string displayed by the operation unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the BIOS set value update unit includes a BMC (Baseboard Management Controller). An initialization method executed in a computer having a BIOS setting value storing means for storing a BIOS setting value describing a type and setting value of hardware to be initialized,
First initialization of initializing the hardware required for communication required to update the BIOS setting by a hardware that is not affected by updates BIOS settings, the BIOS settings the BIOS settings After executing the initialization process for reading from the storage means, the BIOS setting value is updated,
Based on the updated BIOS setting value, a second initialization is performed to initialize the remaining hardware other than the hardware on which the first initialization is performed among the hardware to be initialized. The initialization method to perform. Displaying a character string indicating the BIOS setting value;
The initialization method according to claim 4, wherein the BIOS setting value is updated based on selection of the displayed character string. A program for causing a computer having a BIOS setting value storing means for storing a BIOS setting value describing a type and setting value of hardware to be initialized to execute processing,
First initialization of initializing the hardware required for communication required to update the BIOS setting by a hardware that is not affected by updates BIOS settings, the BIOS settings the BIOS settings A process of updating the BIOS setting value after executing an initialization process for reading from the storage means;
Based on the updated BIOS setting value, a second initialization is performed to initialize the remaining hardware other than the hardware on which the first initialization is performed among the hardware to be initialized. program for executing a process to be executed, to the computer. Processing for displaying a character string indicating the BIOS setting value;
The program according to claim 6, which causes the computer to execute a process of updating the BIOS setting value based on the displayed selection of the character string.

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