JP2016157245A - Information processing apparatus, system setting method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restore former setting information on a system even when the setting information is modified.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes: first storage means that stores setting data for system setting information; second storage means that holds second setting information, which is system setting information with the specific setting data set thereto; and BIOS processing means which executes processing on BIOS in the device. The BIOS processing means stores second setting information generated by reflecting the setting data read from the first storage means in first setting information, which is system setting information, in the second storage means, and updates setting items included in the first setting information, by use of data set in setting items included in the second setting information common with the above setting items, when the above setting data is to be updated, when setting of the system is changed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for performing.

  For information processing systems (including information processing devices) such as computers, initialization of various hardware devices making up the system, control of peripheral devices (such as various input / output devices) connected to the system, etc. There is a case where a basic input output system (BIOS) is installed. The BIOS executes various processes at the time of starting the system in accordance with setting information related to system settings.

  The setting information related to the BIOS is stored in, for example, a specific area in the nonvolatile storage device (for example, an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) area in a flash ROM (Read Only Memory)). Such a BIOS may be updated (updated) in order to correct a defect or add a new function. When such a BIOS is updated, setting information related to the BIOS may be updated together.

  Techniques related to BIOS update or setting change are disclosed in, for example, the following patent documents.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-161484 discloses a technique that facilitates changing a BIOS parameter written in a flash ROM. The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 changes the parameters (setting information) of the BIOS by rewriting the parameters included in the BIOS execution code transferred from the flash ROM to the RAM (Random Access Memory) on the RAM. .

  Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-235483) discloses a process for saving BIOS settings to a specific storage area and restoring the saved BIOS settings from a specific storage area to another storage area based on a user operation. Disclosed is a technique for executing the processing.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-137905 discloses a technique for backing up and restoring BIOS settings using a removable external memory.

  In addition, as an example of a technique using the BIOS, for example, Patent Document 4 exists. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-344042 discloses a technique for acquiring information related to hardware unique to a system via a BIOS and controlling backup and restoration of the system using the information.

JP-A-11-161484 JP 2000-235483 A JP 2012-137905 A JP 2006-340402 A

  For example, when a change occurs in the configuration of the setting information due to a BIOS change (update, etc.), data representing the setting information stored in the NVRAM and data representing the updated setting information used by the updated BIOS Compatibility may be lost. The change of the configuration of the setting information includes, for example, increase / decrease of setup items (setting items) included in the setting information, change of size, change of arrangement of setup items, and the like. In this case, there is a possibility that the data representing the setting information stored in the VNRAM cannot be used as it is for setting a new BIOS after the change. In addition, when there is such a change, for example, it is necessary to rewrite the NVRAM area, but the existing setting disappears due to such rewriting, and resetting (recovery processing) by the user or the like becomes necessary. Such resetting (recovery processing) is a burden on the user or the like and causes human error.

  On the other hand, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is based on the assumption that a parameter exists in a specific area on the RAM, and when the parameter arrangement, size, or the like changes due to the BIOS update. Is difficult to deal with. In addition, the techniques disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 are techniques for saving and restoring the setting information related to the BIOS as they are in a predetermined storage area. That is, these techniques may not be able to restore the settings before the change normally when the size or type of the setting information related to the BIOS is changed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. That is, the present invention has as one of its main objects to provide an information processing apparatus or the like that can recover setting information set before the change even if the configuration of the setting information related to the system is changed.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes the following arrangement. That is, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first storage unit that holds setting data set in a setting item included in system setting information representing information related to system settings, and the specific setting data described above. Second storage means for holding second setting information that is the above-described system setting information, and BIOS processing means capable of executing processing relating to a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) in its own device, When the setting of the system is changed, the BIOS processing unit is configured to reflect the setting data read from the first storage unit in the first setting information that is the system setting information. If the setting information is stored in the second storage means and the setting data needs to be updated, the setting information is included in the first setting information. Among the setting items, the setting item common to the setting item included in the second setting information read from the second storage unit is set as the setting item included in the second setting information. And updating the setting data in the first storage means based on the updated first setting information.

  An information processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a first storage unit that holds setting data that is data set in a setting item included in system setting information that represents information related to system settings; Second storage means for holding second setting information, which is the system setting information including the setting items reflecting the setting data at the timing, and BIOS processing means capable of executing processing related to the BIOS in its own device; The BIOS processing means is included in the first setting information as the system setting information when the setting data in the first storage area needs to be updated at a timing later than the specific timing. Among the setting items to be shared, the setting items are common to the setting items included in the second setting information read from the second storage unit. The setting item is updated using the data set in the setting item included in the second setting information, and the setting data in the first storage area is updated based on the updated first setting information. Update.

  A system setting method according to an aspect of the present invention includes the following configuration. That is, in the system setting method according to one aspect of the present invention, when the information processing apparatus determines that the system setting has been changed, the information is read from the first storage area that is a storage area that can store arbitrary data. The setting data related to the system setting is reflected in the setting items included in the first setting information which is the system setting information indicating the information related to the system setting, and the second setting information is reflected based on the first setting information. When the generated second setting information is stored in a second storage area that is a storage area in which arbitrary data can be stored and it is determined that the setting data needs to be updated, the second setting information is generated. The second setting information stored in the storage means is read out, and among the setting items included in the first setting information, the second setting information included in the read second setting information The setting item in common with the fixed item is updated with data set in the setting item included in the second setting information, and the first storage unit stores the setting item based on the updated first setting information. It has a configuration for updating the setting data.

  The object can also be achieved by an information processing apparatus having the above configuration or a system setting method by a computer program realized by a computer and a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program. Is done.

  According to the present invention, even if the configuration of the setting information related to the system is changed, the setting information set before the change can be recovered.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conceptual configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the format of a setup format in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration when the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention executes various processes. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a specific example of backup processing executed by the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart (1/2) illustrating a specific example of the restore process executed by the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart (2/2) illustrating a specific example of the restore process executed by the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of this invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention or hardware capable of realizing the components.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The configurations described in the following embodiments are exemplifications, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

  Prior to the description of each embodiment of the present invention, a technical background and the like related to the present invention will be described in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention. In the following description, system setting information that can be set in the BIOS is referred to as “system setting information”. A set of data (for example, setting values) set in the system setting information by a user of the information processing system or the like is referred to as “setup data”. The system setting information that can be set in the BIOS includes, for example, one or more setting items (setup items) related to system settings. In this case, the setup data is, for example, a set of setting data set for each setup item.

  A user of an information processing system such as a computer can execute various settings relating to the BIOS by executing a BIOS execution program or a BIOS setting execution program, for example. Hereinafter, the “program” represents an arbitrary software program such as a computer program. The “execution program” represents a program (for example, a file of various execution binaries) converted into a format that can be executed by an arithmetic processing device constituting the information processing system.

  The settings related to the BIOS executed by the user or the like are stored as setup data in the NVRAM area, for example. The BIOS (BIOS execution program) executes various processes according to the setup data.

  The setting value (setting data) is set for each setting item included in the system setting information in order to limit the resources that the BIOS can use while starting the information processing system and to speed up the starting of the information processing system. Only) may be stored in the NVRAM area. That is, in this case, only the values of various setting data related to the system are stored as setup data in the NVRAM area.

  In this case, for example, the BIOS implementation code obtains, as setting data, data in an area separated by a predetermined offset amount from the top of the setup data stored in the NVRAM for each setting item included in the system setting information. Implemented. Then, by compiling the BIOS implementation code, an execution program (machine interpretable machine code) that accesses a specific area based on a predetermined offset amount is generated for each setting item included in the system setting information. . That is, the BIOS execution program acquires setting data related to the setting item for each setting item included in the system setting information from a predetermined area.

  When the configuration of the system setting information is changed due to a BIOS change (update or the like), the offset from the top of the setup data regarding each setting item is changed, so that compatibility is impaired. More specifically, for example, setup data accessed by the BIOS execution program for each setting item due to increase / decrease of setting items, change of data size for each setting item, or change of arrangement of setting items. The offset from the beginning of may change. In this case, even if the updated new BIOS reads (accesses) the setup data stored in the NVRAM area before updating the BIOS, there is a possibility that correct setting data cannot be acquired.

  As described above, when there is such a change, it is necessary to rewrite the NVRAM area when updating the BIOS. However, since rewriting of the area involves erasing (clearing) the area, the existing setting is erased, and thus re-setting by the user or the like (that is, restoration work) is required. Such restoration work is a burden on the user or the like. In addition, there is a possibility that a human error occurs with the restoration work.

  Therefore, the present inventor has conceived a technique that can restore the setup data set before the change even when the configuration of the system setting information (for example, increase / decrease of setting items) is changed by updating the BIOS. That is, the technique according to the present invention does not require manual setting for each setting item manually by the user even when the VNRAM area is rewritten (cleared), for example, using the setup data before the change. System settings can be restored. In the following embodiments, the technology according to the present invention will be described in detail.

  Note that the information processing apparatus described in each of the following embodiments can be realized by using one or more dedicated hardware devices or a general-purpose hardware device such as a computer. The information processing apparatus in each of the following embodiments may be realized as a single apparatus, or may be realized as a system configured by a plurality of hardware apparatuses. A hardware configuration (for example, FIG. 11) capable of realizing the information processing apparatus will be described later.

<First Embodiment>
(Outline of the first embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a conceptual configuration of an information processing apparatus capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 100 capable of realizing the present embodiment includes a BIOS execution unit (arithmetic processing unit) 101, a BIOS holding unit 102, and a backup data holding unit 103. These components constituting the information processing apparatus 100 are communicably connected by an arbitrary communication means (for example, a communication bus).

  The BIOS holding unit 102 holds a BIOS execution program (not shown) and setup data that is a set of setting data set in the system setting information.

  The backup data holding unit 103 holds system setting information in which setup data at a specific timing is set as backup data.

  The BIOS holding unit 102 and the backup data holding unit 103 can be realized by using a storage device such as a flash ROM, for example.

  The BIOS execution unit 101 is an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example, and reads and executes a BIOS execution program held in the BIOS holding unit.

  The information processing apparatus 100 configured as described above generally operates as follows. The operation described below is realized by the BIOS execution unit executing a BIOS execution program.

  First, the BIOS execution unit 101 generates a setup format (for example, FIG. 3) using information included in the BIOS execution program. Such a setup format is generated based on, for example, a setup structure that is included in a BIOS execution program and whose size, arrangement, and the like are determined at the time of compilation.

  When the system setting information is changed, the BIOS execution unit 101 generates backup data by reflecting the setup data held in the BIOS holding unit 102 in the setup format. The BIOS execution unit 101 stores the backup data in the backup data holding unit 103.

  When the BIOS is updated, the BIOS execution unit 101 uses the backup data stored in the backup data holding unit 103 to generate a setup format generated based on information included in the updated BIOS execution program. Reflect the setting data. In this case, the BIOS execution unit 101 reflects the data included in the backup data for the setting items common to the setting items included in the backup data among the setting items included in the setup format. Then, the BIOS execution unit 101 stores the setting data in the BIOS holding unit 102 using the setup format (that is, rewrites the setup data in the BIOS holding unit 102), so that the BIOS execution unit 101 holds the BIOS. Even when the setting data held in the section is cleared, the setting data before the change can be restored using the backup data.

(Specific configuration of the first embodiment)
Next, a more specific configuration of the information processing apparatus in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 200 according to this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 200 includes an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) 201, a BIOS holding unit 202, a backup data holding unit 203, and a memory unit 204.

  The arithmetic processing unit 201 is an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU that can execute an arbitrary program. The arithmetic processing unit 201 may be the same as the BIOS execution unit 101 in FIG. The arithmetic processing unit 201 can execute a BIOS execution program to be described later.

  The BIOS holding unit 202 is a storage unit realized by a nonvolatile storage device such as a flash ROM, for example. Such a flash ROM can be realized by using a device such as a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM).

  The BIOS holding unit 202 includes a BIOS setup holding area 202a that holds setup data set by a user or the like. The BIOS setup holding area 202a can be realized by, for example, NVRAM provided in the flash ROM. The BIOS holding unit 202 includes a BIOS program holding area 202b in which a BIOS execution program (hereinafter also referred to as “BIOS program”) 202c is arranged.

  The BIOS program 202c is an execution program in which various processes related to the BIOS are implemented, and includes a setup format 202d. The BIOS program 202c can be generated, for example, by compiling a BIOS mounting code in which a data structure (for example, a structure) corresponding to the setup format 202d is incorporated. The setup format will be described later.

  The backup data holding unit 203 is a storage area that can back up BIOS-related data (particularly, the setup data). More specifically, for example, the backup data holding unit 203 may hold setup data at a specific timing as backup data. The backup data holding unit 203 can be realized by using a non-volatile storage device such as a flash ROM, for example. In FIG. 2, the BIOS holding unit 202 and the backup data holding unit 203 are illustrated as separate components, but these may be realized using different storage areas in one storage device. .

  The memory unit 204 is an arbitrary storage device, and can be realized using, for example, a volatile RAM device. In the memory unit 204, for example, various programs executed in the arithmetic processing unit 201, data referred to in the program, and the like are expanded. For example, the arithmetic processing unit 201 may read the BIOS program 202c into the memory unit 204 and execute the read execution program.

  Next, the setup format 202d in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the format of the setup format 202d in the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the setup format 202 d includes header information 301 in which version information of the BIOS program and the like are stored, and an entry 302. The number of entries 302 included in the setup format 202d may be arbitrarily determined according to the number of setting items included in the system setting information. One entry 302 is assigned to one setting item included in the system setting information. The setup format may include an entry corresponding to each of all setting items that can be set in the system setting information.

  Each entry 302 includes a data size 303, a setup name 304, and a setting value 305. A data size 303 represents the data size of each entry. More specifically, the data size may be the data size of the setting value 305 (for example, in bytes). The data size of each entry may be a predetermined fixed size, for example. The setup name 304 is identification information that can identify the setting item to which the entry 302 corresponds. For example, the setup name 304 may be a character string representing the name of the setting item. For example, an ID (Identifier) that can identify a setting item may be set in the setup name 304. A setting value 305 is a value (setting data) set in the setting item represented by the setup name 304.

  In the setup format 202d, for example, when the BIOS is compiled, a data size 303 and a setup name 304 are set in the configuration order of the system setting information. At this time, a default value may be set as the setting value 305, or a value may not be set. In order to represent the entire size of the setup format 202d, an entry having a data size “0 (zero)” is added to the setup format 202d as the last entry. This indicates that the entry having the data size “0 (zero)” is the end of the entry included in the setup format 202d.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, backup processing of system setting information (more specifically, setup data set in the system setting information) by the information processing apparatus 200 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration when the information processing apparatus 200 illustrated in FIG. 3 executes processing. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the information processing system 200 when the system setting information backup process is executed. More specifically, the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5 represents the operation of the BIOS program 202c executed by the arithmetic processing unit 201. Hereinafter, the BIOS program 202c executed by the arithmetic processing unit 201 may be simply referred to as a “BIOS program”.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, first, a setting related to the BIOS is changed by a user or the like (step S501). Such a change occurs, for example, when the user instructs a change to a specific setting item included in the system setting information by executing the BIOS program 202c or the BIOS setting execution program (not shown). The setting change process may be executed by directly changing the setup data held in the BIOS setup holding area, for example.

  When there is a change in the BIOS setting (or setup data) (YES in step S502), the BIOS program acquires the setup format (202d) held by the program (step S503). The BIOS program may expand the acquired setup format in the memory unit 204. If NO in step S502 (that is, if there is no change in the BIOS settings), the BIOS program may terminate the process.

  Next, the BIOS program acquires setup data from the BIOS setup holding area 202a (step S504). That is, the BIOS program acquires setup data at a timing when a change occurs in the BIOS settings, for example.

  Next, the BIOS program substitutes the setup data acquired in step S504 for the setup format acquired in step S503. More specifically, the BIOS program substitutes the value (setting data) of each setting item acquired from the setup data for the setting value included in the entry of each setting item in the setup format.

  For example, the BIOS program may acquire setting data related to each setting item from the setup data in the configuration order of the system setting information, and substitute the setting data for the corresponding entry in the setup format. At this time, the BIOS program may specify setting data corresponding to each entry included in the setup data, for example, using the data size of each entry in the setup format. For example, as a specific example, a case where a BIOS program accesses an Nth entry (for example, N is a natural number) is assumed. In this case, the BIOS program, for example, sets the data size (303 in FIG. 3) of each entry from entry 1 (first entry) to entry N-1 (one entry before the Nth) in the setup format. Calculate the added value. The BIOS program may add a predetermined value such as the size of the header information (301 in FIG. 3) to the calculated value. Then, the BIOS program may calculate the offset position of the setting data corresponding to the Nth entry included in the setup data using the calculated value. When N is 1 (in the case of the first entry), the BIOS program may calculate the offset position from the head of the setup data (or a position separated from the head by the predetermined value).

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above, and the BIOS program may substitute the value of the setup data for the setup format by any other method. For example, the BIOS program may read data included in the setup data acquired in step S504 into a specific area of the memory unit 204 in which the setup format acquired in step S503 is expanded. Assume that the setup format is realized by a predetermined data structure such as a structure. The size of such a data structure may be determined at the time of compilation, for example. When the data structure of the setup data and the setup format match, the BIOS program can substitute the setup data into the setup format by reading the setup data into the memory area where the setup format is expanded.

  The BIOS program may set header information (301) such as version information of the BIOS program in the setup format. Thereby, the BIOS program generates setup information 204a that is the basis of the backup data 203a (step S505).

  The setup information 204a is data generated by reflecting (substituting) setup data (setting data) held in the BIOS setup holding area 202a into the setup format. More specifically, the setup information 204a is, for example, data in which setup data (setting data) held in the BIOS setup holding area 202a at a specific timing is reflected in the setup format. The setup information 204a is data in which specific values are set in the setup format illustrated in FIG. 3, and includes a data size 303, a setup name 304, and a setting value 305 for each entry.

  Next, the BIOS program stores the setup information 204a as the backup data 203a in the backup data holding unit 203 (step S506). As described above, the BIOS program substitutes the setup data acquired from the BIOS setup holding area 202a into the setup format 202d at the timing when the BIOS setting is changed, and generates the setup information 204a. That is, the setup information 204a including the setup data at the timing when the BIOS setting is changed is stored in the backup data holding unit 203 as the backup data 203a.

  Thereby, the BIOS program can back up the setup data at a specific timing (for example, when the BIOS setting is changed). Further, since the backup data 203a includes data configuring a setup format as illustrated in FIG. 3, the backup data 203a includes information (for example, a setup name) that can identify a setting item. As a result, it is possible to extract setting values (setting data) regarding individual entries (setting items) from the backup data. Note that a plurality of such backup data 203a may be stored according to the timing at which the backup is acquired, or only the latest backup data may be stored.

  The backup of the setup data is not limited to the timing when the BIOS setting is changed, and may be executed at an arbitrary timing. The timing at which such backup is executed may be appropriately set by, for example, the user of the information processing apparatus 200 or the like. That is, for example, such backup may be executed based on an arbitrary user operation or the like, or may be executed according to a specific schedule.

  Next, an operation for restoring (recovering) the setup data will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 6, and 7. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are flowcharts illustrating the process of setup data restoration processing by the information processing apparatus 200. More specifically, the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 represent the operation of the BIOS program 202c executed by the arithmetic processing unit 201.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the BIOS (including the BIOS program) has been updated, and it is assumed that the configuration of the system setting information has been changed along with the update of the BIOS. That is, the updated BIOS program is stored in the BIOS program holding area 202b, and when the information processing apparatus 200 is activated, the updated BIOS program is executed. Further, the setup data held in the BIOS setup holding area 202a is updated with the update of the BIOS. In this case, the setup data in the BIOS setup holding area 202a may be cleared or a specified value (default value) may be set. Note that the arrangement (offset, etc.) of data for each setting item differs between the setup data for the new system setting information after the update and the setup data before the update. Hereinafter, the operation of the information processing apparatus 200 will be described.

  First, the (updated) BIOS program acquires the backup data 203a from the backup data holding unit 203 during startup (boot) of the information processing apparatus 200 (step S601).

  The BIOS program refers to the header information (301 in FIG. 3) of the backup data 203a. Then, the BIOS program checks whether the BIOS version registered in the backup data 203a matches the version of the program (updated BIOS program) being executed (step S602).

  As a result of the comparison, if these BIOS versions do not match (NO in step S602), the BIOS program executes a setup restoration process (step S603). If YES in step S602 (if the versions match), the BIOS program may terminate the process, or may continue any other process as necessary.

  Next, the setup restoration process (step S603) will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the BIOS program acquires a setup format 202d held by the program (step S701).

  Next, the BIOS program acquires setup data from the BIOS setup holding area 202a (step S702). As described above, when the BIOS setup holding area 202a is cleared along with the BIOS update, a specified value (default value) may be set in the acquired setup data.

  Next, the BIOS program substitutes the setup data acquired in step S702 for the setup format acquired in step S701 to generate setup information 0204a (step S703).

  Next, the BIOS program restores the setting values for all entries included in the generated setup information 204a using the backup data 203a (repetition processing of step S704 and steps S705a to S705b).

  Specifically, the BIOS program first initializes the counter N to N = 1 (step S704).

  Next, the BIOS program checks the data size of the Nth entry in the setup information 204a (step S706).

  When the data size of the Nth entry in the setup information 204a is not the size “0 (zero)” (NO in step S706), the BIOS program executes the following processing. First, the BIOS program checks whether there is an entry common to the Nth entry of the setup information 204a in the backup data 203a stored in the backup data holding unit 203 (step S707). More specifically, the BIOS program may check whether or not an entry having a setup name (304 in FIG. 3) common to the Nth entry of the setup information 204a exists in the backup data 203a.

  If a common entry exists as a result of the comparison (YES in step S708), the setting value of the entry in the setup information 204a is updated using the setting value (setting data) set in the backup data 203a (step S709). ).

  Next, the BIOS program updates (for example, increments) the counter N (step S710), and continues the process for the next entry included in the setup information 204a (step S705b).

  If NO in step S708 (that is, if there is no common entry), the BIOS program continues processing from step S710.

  When the entry (last entry) with the data size “0” is detected in step S706 (YES in step S706), the BIOS program uses the setting value (setting data) set in the setup information 204a as the BIOS setup holding area. 202a is reflected (step S711). That is, the BIOS program updates the setup data using the restored setup information 204a when the restoration processing from the backup data is completed for all entries of the setup information 204a. More specifically, the BIOS program updates the setup data in the BIOS setup holding area 202a using the setting data set in the setup information 204a.

  Next, the BIOS program stores the setup information 204a in the backup data holding unit 203 as backup data 203a.

  With the above operation, the BIOS program completes the process of restoring (recovering) the setup data.

  The information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment configured as described above can restore the setup data using the backup data 203a stored in the backup data holding unit 203 when the BIOS is updated.

  More specifically, the information processing apparatus 200 can execute, for example, a BIOS program including a setup format, and save setup information 204a reflecting setup data at a specific timing as backup data 203a. That is, as BIOS setting information (setup data) at a specific timing, information that can specify a setting item, information that represents the data size of the setting item, and a specific setting value of the setting item include backup data. 203a.

  When the configuration of the system setting information is changed due to the BIOS update or the like, the setup format held by the BIOS program after the change may be changed according to the configuration of the system setting information. More specifically, for example, the number of entries included in the setup format may increase or decrease in accordance with the configuration of the system setting information. In contrast, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment detects an entry that is common in the updated setup format and the backup data 203a. The information processing apparatus 200 reflects the setting value (setting data) of the detected entry from the backup data 203a to the updated setup format.

  Thereby, the information processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment can restore the setting value set in the backup data at a specific timing before the change to the setup data for the BIOS at the timing after the change.

  As described above, according to the information processing apparatus 200 in the present embodiment, even if the configuration of the setting information related to the system is changed, the setting information set before the change can be recovered. As a result, the burden on the user of the information processing apparatus 200 to restore the settings related to the BIOS is reduced.

<Modification of First Embodiment>
Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this modification, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, the information processing apparatus 800 according to this modification includes a BMC 801 (BMC: Baseboard Management Controller). In the information processing apparatus 800, only the BMC 801 is different from the first embodiment, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the difference will be described.

  In the information processing apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment, the backup data holding unit 203 is used as a storage area for backing up the setting information (setup data) related to the BIOS. The backup data holding unit 203 is realized by a flash ROM or the like connected to other components via a communication bus or the like. Further, access to the backup data holding unit 203 (storage and reference of backup data) is controlled by, for example, a BIOS program.

  The area for storing backup data is not limited to the above, and any area can be used as long as the BIOS program can store and refer to the data. Therefore, in the information processing apparatus 800 according to the present modification, as an example, the BIOS program stores and references backup data via the BMC 801. The BMC 801 is, for example, a management device mounted on a base board (main board) constituting the information processing apparatus 800, and can execute various monitoring processes related to the information processing apparatus 800. The BMC 801 in this modification manages a storage area (801a in FIG. 8) corresponding to the backup data holding unit 203 in the first embodiment. The BMC 801 can communicate with other components via, for example, a specific communication interface and protocol (for example, IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface)).

  In the present modification, the BIOS program stores the backup data 801b in the backup data holding unit 801a managed by the BMC 133 via, for example, IPMI communication, and refers to the stored backup data 801b.

  The area for storing backup data is not limited to the above, and may be provided in any storage area other than the BMC 801.

  The information processing apparatus 800 in the present modification configured as described above can realize the same function as the information processing apparatus 200 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 800 in the present modification has the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 900 according to this embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, the information processing apparatus 900 according to the present embodiment includes a BIOS processing unit 901, a first storage unit 902, and a second storage unit 903. These components constituting the information processing apparatus 900 may be communicably connected using an arbitrary communication unit. Hereinafter, each component will be described.

  The first storage unit 902 holds setting data set in setting items included in system setting information that represents information related to system settings. The first storage unit 902 may store a set of setting data set for each setting item included in the system setting information. Such setting data may be the same as the setup data in the first embodiment (or the setting data constituting the setup data), for example. The first storage unit 902 may be the same as the BIOS setup holding area 202a in the first embodiment, for example. The first storage unit 902 can be realized by using an arbitrary storage device such as a flash ROM, for example.

  The second storage unit 903 holds second setting information, which is system setting information, including setting items reflecting the specific setting data. For example, the second setting information may be equivalent to the backup data 203a in the first embodiment. The second storage unit 903 may be the same as the backup data holding unit 203 in the first embodiment, for example. The second storage unit 903 can be realized by using an arbitrary storage device such as a flash ROM, for example.

  Note that the first storage unit 902 and the second storage unit 903 in the present embodiment described above may be realized by using different storage devices (for example, a flash ROM or the like). Further, the first storage unit 902 and the second storage unit 903 may be realized using different storage areas in one storage device (1001 in FIG. 10) as illustrated in FIG.

  The BIOS processing unit 901 includes the first setting information that is the system setting information, and executes processing related to the BIOS in the own device (information processing device 900). For example, the first setting information may be the same as the setup format in the first embodiment. The BIOS may be stored using any storage unit in the information processing apparatus 900. For example, the storage unit may be a first storage unit. The BIOS is not limited to the above, and may be provided from the outside of the information processing apparatus 900 via an arbitrary communication network or the like at the timing of starting the information processing apparatus 900, for example.

  When the system setting is changed, the BIOS processing unit 901 generates the second setting information by reflecting the setting data read from the first storage unit in the first setting information included in the BIOS. To do. Then, the BIOS processing unit 901 stores the generated second setting information in the second storage unit.

  Further, when the setting data needs to be updated, the BIOS processing unit 901 reads the second setting information read from the second storage unit. Then, the BIOS processing unit 901 sets a setting item common to the setting item included in the read second setting information, among the setting items included in the first setting information, in the setting information included in the second setting information. Update with the data set in the item. The BIOS processing unit 901 updates the setting data in the first storage unit based on the updated first setting information.

  The BIOS processing unit 901 can be realized, for example, by executing a program (software program such as a computer program) that can execute processing related to the BIOS using an arbitrary arithmetic processing unit (CPU). The BIOS processing unit 901 can be realized by using, for example, the arithmetic processing unit 201 and the BIOS program 202c in the first embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 900 according to the present embodiment configured as described above can back up the setting data related to the setting of the system to the second storage unit when the setting of the system is changed. Further, when the setting data stored in the first storage unit needs to be updated, the setting data (second setting information) backed up in the second storage object and the first setting information are used. The setting data stored in the first storage unit can be updated (recovered). As described above, according to the information processing apparatus 900 of the present embodiment, the setting information set before the change can be recovered even if the configuration of the setting information related to the system is changed. This reduces the burden on the user of the information processing apparatus 900 to restore the settings related to the BIOS.

<Configuration of hardware and software program (computer program)>
Hereinafter, a hardware configuration capable of realizing each of the above-described embodiments will be described.

  In the following description, the information processing apparatuses (100, 200, 800, 900) described in the above embodiments are collectively referred to simply as “information processing apparatus”. Each component of the information processing apparatus is simply referred to as “component of the information processing apparatus”.

  The information processing apparatus described in each of the above embodiments may be configured by one or a plurality of dedicated hardware devices. In that case, each component shown in each of the above drawings may be realized as hardware (an integrated circuit or a storage device in which processing logic is mounted) partially or entirely integrated.

  For example, when the information processing apparatus is realized by dedicated hardware, the constituent elements of the information processing apparatus may be implemented by an SoC (System on a Chip) or the like that can provide each function. In this case, for example, data held by the components of the information processing apparatus may be stored in a RAM (Random Access Memory) area or a flash memory area integrated as an SoC. In this case, a well-known communication bus may be adopted as a communication line that connects each component of the information processing apparatus. Further, the communication line connecting each component is not limited to bus connection, and each component may be connected by peer-to-peer. When the information processing apparatus is configured by a plurality of hardware devices, the hardware devices may be communicably connected by any communication means (wired, wireless, or a combination thereof).

  Further, the information processing apparatus described above may be configured by general-purpose hardware exemplified in FIG. 11 and various software programs (computer programs) executed by the hardware. In this case, the information processing apparatus may be configured by an arbitrary number of hardware devices and software programs.

  An arithmetic device 1101 in FIG. 11 is an arithmetic processing device such as a general-purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor. For example, the arithmetic device 1101 may read various software programs stored in a nonvolatile storage device 1103 to be described later into the storage device 1102 and execute processing according to the software programs. For example, the components of the information processing device in each of the above embodiments can be realized as a software program executed by the arithmetic device 1101. For example, the BIOS execution unit 101, the arithmetic processing unit 201, the BIOS processing unit 901, and the like in each of the above embodiments can be realized using the arithmetic device 1101.

  The storage device 1102 is a memory device such as a RAM that can be referred to from the arithmetic device 1101, and stores software programs, various data, and the like. Note that the storage device 1102 may be a volatile memory device. For example, the memory unit 204 in each of the above embodiments can be realized using the storage device 1102.

  The nonvolatile storage device 1103 is a nonvolatile storage device such as a magnetic disk drive or a semiconductor storage device using flash memory. The nonvolatile storage device 1103 can store various software programs, data, and the like. For example, the BIOS storage unit (102, 202), the backup data storage unit (103, 203), the first storage unit 902, the second storage unit 903, etc. in each of the above embodiments uses the nonvolatile storage device 1103. It is feasible.

  The network interface 1106 is an interface device that connects to a communication network. For example, a wired and wireless LAN (Local Area Network) connection interface device or the like may be employed.

  The drive device 1104 is, for example, a device that processes reading and writing of data with respect to a recording medium 1105 described later.

  The recording medium 1105 is an arbitrary recording medium capable of recording data, such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a semiconductor flash memory.

  The input / output interface 1107 is a device that controls input / output with an external device.

  Note that the information processing apparatus in each of the above embodiments may or may not include the network interface 1106, the drive apparatus 1104, and the input / output interface 1107.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention described by taking the above embodiments as an example supplies, for example, a software program capable of realizing the functions described in the above embodiments to the hardware apparatus illustrated in FIG. This may be realized. More specifically, for example, the present invention may be realized by causing the arithmetic device 1101 to execute a software program supplied to such a device. In this case, an operating system running on the hardware device, middleware such as database management software, network software, or the like may execute a part of each process. For example, the software program may be the BIOS program 202c in each of the above embodiments.

  Further, the software program may be recorded on the recording medium 1105. In this case, the software program may be configured to be stored in the non-volatile storage device 1103 as appropriate through the drive device 1104 at the shipping stage or the operation stage of the communication device or the like.

  In the above case, the method of supplying various software programs to the information processing apparatus is installed in the apparatus using an appropriate jig at the manufacturing stage before shipment or the maintenance stage after shipment. You may adopt the method of doing. As a method for supplying various software programs, a general procedure may be adopted at present, such as a method of downloading from the outside via a communication line such as the Internet.

  In such a case, the present invention can be considered to be configured by a code that constitutes the software program or a computer-readable recording medium on which the code is recorded. In this case, the recording medium is not limited to a medium independent of the hardware device, but includes a storage medium in which a software program transmitted via a LAN or the Internet is downloaded and stored or temporarily stored.

  Further, the information processing apparatus described above may be configured by a virtual environment in which the hardware device illustrated in FIG. 11 is virtualized and various software programs (computer programs) executed in the virtual environment. . In this case, the components of the hardware device illustrated in FIG. 11 are provided as virtual devices in the virtual environment. In this case as well, the present invention can be realized with the same configuration as when the hardware device illustrated in FIG. 11 is configured as a physical device.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated as an example applied to exemplary embodiment mentioned above. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to such embodiments. In such a case, new embodiments to which such changes or improvements are added can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments described above, or embodiments obtained by combining the new embodiments with such changes or improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention. This is clear from the matters described in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information processing apparatus 101 BIOS execution part 102 BIOS holding part 103 Backup data holding part 200 Information processing apparatus 201 Arithmetic processing part 202 BIOS holding part 203 Backup data holding part 204 Memory part 800 Information processing apparatus 801 BMC
900 Information processing device 901 BIOS processing unit 902 First storage unit 903 Second storage unit 1101 Arithmetic device 1102 Storage device 1103 Non-volatile storage device 1104 Drive device 1105 Recording medium 1106 Network interface 1107 Input / output interface

Claims (10)

First storage means for holding setting data set in setting items included in system setting information representing information related to system settings;
Second storage means for holding second setting information that is the system setting information in which the specific setting data is set;
BIOS processing means capable of executing processing related to the BIOS in its own device,
The BIOS processing means includes:
When the setting of the system is changed, the second setting information generated by reflecting the setting data read from the first storage unit in the first setting information which is the system setting information, Save in the second storage means,
When the setting data needs to be updated, among the setting items included in the first setting information, the setting item included in the second setting information read from the second storage unit is common. Information for updating a setting item with data set in the setting item included in the second setting information, and updating the setting data in the first storage unit based on the updated first setting information Processing equipment. The setting item included in the system setting information is set in association with at least identification information that can identify the setting item and data set in the setting item,
The BIOS processing means includes:
When the setting data needs to be updated, the identification information set in the setting item included in the first setting information and the identification information set in the setting item included in the second setting information And when the setting item included in the first setting information is determined to be equal to the setting item included in the second setting information, the first setting information The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting item included in the information item is updated using data set in the setting item included in the second setting information. In the setting item included in the system setting information, information indicating the size of data set in the setting item is further set.
The BIOS processing means includes:
When the setting of the system is changed, the information indicating the size of the data set in the setting item included in the first setting information is used, and among the setting data read from the first storage unit, The information processing according to claim 2, wherein setting data set in a specific setting item included in the first setting information is specified, and the specified setting data is reflected in data set in the specific setting item. apparatus. In the system setting information, information representing the BIOS version in the own device is set,
The BIOS processing means includes:
When the BIOS in the device itself is updated, if the result of comparing the updated BIOS version with the BIOS version set in the second setting information does not match, the first storage means It is determined that the setting data stored in is necessary to be updated,
When there is an increase or decrease in the setting items in the first setting information due to the BIOS update in the device itself, the setting items included in the first setting information are read from the second storage unit The setting item common to the setting item included in the second setting information is updated by data set in the setting item included in the second setting information. Information processing device. The BIOS processing means includes:
By controlling the BIOS execution unit that holds the first setting information held in the first storage unit, the process related to the BIOS in its own device is executed.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. System setting information representing setting data related to the setting of the system, the setting data related to the setting of the system read from the first storage area that is a storage area capable of storing arbitrary data when it is determined that the setting of the system is changed The second setting information is reflected on the setting items included in the first setting information, and the second setting information is generated based on the first setting information. Arbitrary data can be stored in the generated second setting information. Processing to be stored in the second storage area which is a secure storage area;
When it is determined that the setting data needs to be updated,
The second setting information stored in the second storage unit is read, and among the setting items included in the first setting information, the setting item included in the read second setting information; The common setting item is updated with data set in the setting item included in the second setting information, and the setting data in the first storage unit is updated based on the updated first setting information. A computer program that causes a computer to execute an update process. The first setting information is incorporated in the own computer program, or the first setting information is arranged in the computer together with the own computer program.
The computer program according to claim 6. System setting information representing setting data related to the setting of the system, the setting data related to the setting of the system read from the first storage area that is a storage area capable of storing arbitrary data when it is determined that the setting of the system is changed The second setting information is generated based on the first setting information by reflecting it in the setting item included in the first setting information, and the generated second setting information can store arbitrary data. Save to the second storage area that is the storage area,
When it is determined that the setting data needs to be updated,
The second setting information stored in the second storage unit is read, and among the setting items included in the first setting information, the setting item included in the read second setting information; The common setting item is updated with data set in the setting item included in the second setting information, and the setting data in the first storage unit is updated based on the updated first setting information. How to set up the system to update. First storage means for holding setting data, which is data set in setting items included in system setting information representing information related to system settings;
Second storage means for holding second setting information which is the system setting information including the setting items reflecting the setting data at a specific timing;
BIOS processing means capable of executing processing related to the BIOS in its own device,
The BIOS processing means includes:
When the setting data in the first storage area needs to be updated at a timing later than the specific timing, the first of the setting items included in the first setting information that is the system setting information. Updating the setting items common to the setting items included in the second setting information read from the second storage unit using data set in the setting items included in the second setting information; An information processing apparatus that updates the setting data in the first storage area based on the updated first setting information. The BIOS processing means includes:
At the timing when the setting of the system is changed, the second setting information generated by reflecting the setting data read from the first storage unit in the first setting information is stored in the second storage. Save on means,
Information processing device.

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