BIOS IMAGE MANAGER

• US 20120023322A1
• Filed: 04/29/2009
• Published: 01/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Landry, John, Mondshine, James Luke
• Granted Patent: US 8,850,173 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A machine and method to manage BIOS images.

Claims

1. A method for BIOS image management comprising:

classifying BIOS images accessible by a machine;

selecting one of the BIOS images to replace a current BIOS based on a classification of one of the BIOS images; and

writing over the current BIOS with the selected BIOS image;

updating the classification of at least two of the BIOS images when the current BIOS is replaced.

2. The method for BIOS image management of claim 1 wherein each BIOS image includes a header configured to specify the classification of each corresponding BIOS image.

3. The method for BIOS image management of claim 1 wherein updating the classification of at least one BIOS image includes reclassifying a BIOS image that has been replaced as previous and reclassifying one of the BIOS images as current.

4. The method for BIOS image management of claim 1 further comprising scanning one of the BIOS images for a recognized binary signature before replacing the current BIOS.

5. The method for BIOS image management of claim 1 further comprising marking a success flag in one of the BIOS images after replacing the current BIOS with one of the BIOS images.

6. A machine comprising:

a processor coupled to computer readable memory accessible by the machine;

BIOS images stored on the machine;

a BIOS manager executable from the computer readable memory and configured to perform the steps of;

replacing a current BIOS; and

changing a stored classification of at least two of the BIOS images;

wherein selection of a replacement BIOS image used to replace the current BIOS is based on a classification of the replacement BIOS image.

7. The machine of claim 6 further comprising a BIOS database configured to list each BIOS and the classification of each BIOS.

8. The machine of claims 6 further comprising a BIOS log which lists classifications for each BIOS image after the current BIOS has been replaced.

9. The machine of claims 6 wherein the BIOS manager is additionally configured to replace the current BIOS with a BIOS image from an external storage device when the external device is coupled to the machine.

10. The machine of claim 8 wherein the BIOS log is accessible by an operating machine to repair or replace BIOS images classified by the BIOS log as corrupt.

11. A computer-readable program in a computer-readable medium comprising:

a BIOS manager configured to classify BIOS images accessible by a machine;

the BIOS manager further configured to select one of the BIOS images to replace a current BIOS based on a classification of one of the BIOS images;

the BIOS manager further configured to write over the current BIOS with one of the BIOS images; and

the BIOS manager further configured to reclassify at least two of the BIOS images after replacing the current BIOS.

12. The computer-readable program in a computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the BIOS manager is further configured to replace the current BIOS with a BIOS image classified as new when the current BIOS has an update flag marked.

13. The computer-readable program in a computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the BIOS manager is further configured to revert to a BIOS image classified as previous or default when the current BIOS has a roll back flag marked.

14. The computer-readable program in a computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the BIOS manager is further configured to revert to a BIOS image classified as previous or default when the current BIOS or a replacement BIOS image is determined to be corrupt.

15. The computer-readable program in a computer-readable medium of claim 14 wherein the BIOS manager is further configured to delete or replace BIOS images that are classified as corrupt.