Method and apparatus for maintaining data integrity using a system management processor
First Claim
1. A system management device that supports a computer system having at least one system processor, the system management device comprising:
- a system management processor adapted to;
detect a boot attempt of the computer system;
place the at least one system processor in a reset state;
determine whether a set of target data is valid or corrupted;
attempt to repair the set of target data and then release the at least one system processor from the reset state if the set of target data is corrupted; and
release the at least one system processor from the reset state if the set of target data is valid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosed embodiments relate generally to providing increased data integrity in computer systems and, more particularly, to using a system management processor to maintain the integrity of stored information. A system management processor detects an attempt to reboot the computer system and holds the system processor or processors in a reset state. While the system processor or processors are held in the reset state, the system management processor checks data such as the system BIOS to identify corruption. If the data checked by the system management processor is not corrupted, the system processor or processors are removed from the reset state and allowed to continue normal operation. If the data checked by the system management processor is corrupted, the system management processor repairs the corrupted data before removing the system processor or processors from the reset state.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system management device that supports a computer system having at least one system processor, the system management device comprising:
a system management processor adapted to;
detect a boot attempt of the computer system;
place the at least one system processor in a reset state;
determine whether a set of target data is valid or corrupted;
attempt to repair the set of target data and then release the at least one system processor from the reset state if the set of target data is corrupted; and
release the at least one system processor from the reset state if the set of target data is valid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer system that includes at least one system processor and a system management processor, the computer system comprising:
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a core logic chipset adapted to exchange data with the at least one system processor and the system management processor;
at least one input/output device adapted to deliver input data from a user to the core logic chipset;
a video graphics controller connected to the core logic chipset;
a storage device that is adapted to store a set of target data; and
wherein the system management processor is adapted to;
detect a boot attempt of the computer system;
place the at least one system processor in a reset state;
determine whether the set of target data is valid or corrupted;
attempt to repair the set of target data and then release the at least one system processor from the reset state if the set of target data is corrupted; and
release the at least one system processor from the reset state if the set of target data is valid. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A process for maintaining the integrity of a set of target data in a computer system, the computer system having at least one system processor, the method comprising the acts of:
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detecting a boot attempt of the computer system;
placing the at least one system processor in a reset state;
determining whether the set of target data is valid or corrupted;
attempting to repair the set of target data and then releasing the at least one system processor from the reset state if the set of target data is corrupted; and
releasing the at least one system processor from the reset state if the set of target data is valid. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification