Method and system for using a server management program for an error configuration table

• US 8,074,062 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2008
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Yang, Chih-Cheng, Liang, Yung Shun
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Johnson, Terrell
• Application Number:
  US12/228,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20100037044A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 713/1, 713/100, 714/47.2
• US Class Current: 713/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4401 Bootstrapping security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed for using a server management program for an error configuration table, wherein a user loads the management program, which receives a Hardware Error Configuration Table (HECT) from baseboard management controller (BMC) firmware, the HECT table containing error control parameters for a hardware error event table. A replica of the HECT is maintained in SRAM using BMC firmware. The HECT is sent via the basic input output system (BIOS) during system power up. An interface is set up to allow the user to configure error event thresholds. The user can set preferred threshold of a system management requirement without rebooting system. If the user makes changes to the HECT, the management program sends the new HECT to BMC firmware to feedback the completion. A software SMI is issued to inform BIOS of HECT changes during the BMC completion. BIOS informs the operating system (OS) to discard and reload the new HECT.

Claims

1. A method for using a server management program for an error configuration table, comprising:

commencing booting of a system;

retrieving a previous configuration table;

checking a validation of a hardware error configuration table (HECT), wherein said hardware error configuration table (HECT) contains error control parameters for a hardware error event table for utilization during the boot process of the system;

updating the hardware error configuration table (HECT) to system memory to provide an updated hardware error configuration table (HECT) if the hardware error configuration table is validated;

backing up a new hardware error configuration table (HECT), the new hardware error configuration table (HECT) being either the updated hardware configuration table (HECT) or another newly created hardware error configuration table (HECT);

updating the new hardware error configuration table (HECT) information to a baseboard management controller;

saving hardware error configuration table (HECT) changes;

adjusting parameters accordingly;

sending hardware error configuration table (HECT) changes to system BIOS; and

receiving hardware error configuration table (HECT) changes from baseboard management controller firmware; and

setting a preferred threshold of a boot process system management requirement by a user without rebooting the system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating the new hardware error configuration table (HECT) in system memory if the hardware error configuration table (HECT) is not validated in the checking a validation step.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the new hardware error configuration table (HECT) information is updated to a baseboard management controller via a KCS command/data port.

4. A method for using a computing system management program with an error configuration table, comprising:

starting the booting up of a computing system;

updating a new hardware error configuration table (HECT) to a baseboard management controller, wherein said hardware error configuration table (HECT) contains error control parameters for a hardware error event table the hardware error configuration table (HECT) being utilization during the boot process of the system;

informing system BIOS of the hardware error configuration table (HECT) update;

completing booting process;

updating the hardware error configuration table (HECT) by a user;

receiving the hardware error configuration table (HECT) by a management program from a the baseboard management controller;

sending hardware error configuration table (HECT) changes by a user from the management program to the baseboard management controller; and

updating system memory to back up the hardware error configuration table (HECT) to non-volatile memory.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the new hardware error configuration table (HECT) is backed up to NVRAM.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein hardware error configuration table (HECT) changes are saved to SRAM.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the management program receives the hardware error configuration table (HECT) from SRAM at the baseboard management controller.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a software SMI is generated to inform the system BIOS of hardware error configuration table (HECT) changes.