Method for performing configuration tasks prior to and including memory configuration within a processor-based system

• US 6,374,338 B1
• Filed: 06/25/1999
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Garvey, Joseph Franklin
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Matthew M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TZENG, FRED
• Application Number:
  US09/344,051
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 711/152, 711/159, 711/170, 713/1, 713/2, 714/38
• US Class Current: 711/170
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0802 Addressing of a memory level in which the access to the desired data or data block requires associative addressing means, e.g. caches
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2212/2515 being configurable for different purposes, e.g. as cache or non-cache memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4403 Processor initialisation

Abstract

A method for performing configuration tasks prior to and including memory configuration within a processor based system is disclosed. A memory location is first reserved by a basic input/output system (BIOS) firmware for each individual BIOS task. A target routine is then performed using the reserved memory location by the BIOS firmware. The target routine is designed to perform a specific BIOS task. Finally, the reserved memory location is released by the BIOS firmware, after the target routine has been successfully completed.

Claims

1. A method for performing a function call before a main memory within a processor based system is configured during a system boot, said method comprising the steps of:

before said main memory is configured during said system boot, configuring a cache memory within a processor to cache data accessible by a bootup firmware;

initializing a stack within said configured cache memory;

performing a target routine of said bootup firmware using said initialized stack within said configured cache memory; and

releasing said configured cache memory by said bootup firmware.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said bootup firmware is a basic input/output system (BIOS) firmware.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said configuring step further includes a step of validating said cache memory by said bootup firmware.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said performing step further includes a step of trapping data from said target routine using said cache memory.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said cache memory is a static memory.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said releasing step further includes a step of invalidating said cache memory.

7. A computer program product residing on a computer usable medium for performing a function call before a main memory within a processor based system is initialized during a system boot, said computer program product comprising:

program code means for configuring a cache memory within a processor to cache data accessible by a bootup firmware before said main memory is configured during said system boot;

program code means for initializing a stack within said configured cache memory;

program code means for performing a target routine of said bootup firmware using said initialized stack within said configured cache memory; and

program code means for releasing said configured cache memory by said bootup firmware.

8. The computer program product according to claim 7, wherein said program code means is a basic input/output system (BIOS) firmware.

9. The computer program product according to claim 7, wherein said program code means for configuring further includes a program code means for validating said cache memory by said bootup firmware.

10. The computer program product according to claim 7, wherein said program code means for performing further includes program code means for trapping data from said target routine using said cache memory.

11. The computer program product according to claim 7, wherein said cache memory is a static memory.

12. The computer program product according to claim 7, wherein said program code means for releasing further includes a program code means for invalidating said cache memory.