JP7401127B1 - Information processing equipment, control methods and programs, electronic devices - Google Patents

Abstract

An information processing device is provided that can appropriately save changed setting information when BIOS setting information is changed. An information processing device includes a central processing unit and one or more nonvolatile storage devices. In an information processing apparatus, a program executed by a central processing unit based on predetermined setting information stored in a nonvolatile storage device when the central processing unit is started detects the occurrence of a predetermined failure. When the setting information is newly saved and when the fault detection means detects the occurrence of a fault, it is detected whether or not the setting information has been changed. When there is a change in the setting information, the changed setting information is stored in the nonvolatile storage device. [Selection diagram] Figure 9

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a control method and program, and an electronic device.

Patent Document 1 describes the following information processing device. That is, in the information processing device described in Patent Document 1, when the setting information of the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is changed in response to an operation using the setting menu, the changed setting information is input. Saved in association with an identification name. According to the information processing device described in Patent Document 1, when the BIOS does not start up normally due to a change in the BIOS setting information, the problem can be resolved by returning the setting information to the state before the change. .

Further, Patent Document 2 describes the following computer system. The computer system described in Patent Document 2 includes a server and a management module that operates independently of the server. The server has a BIOS, a settings management section, and a storage area. The management module includes a BIOS request management section and a backup storage area. The setting management section stores BIOS setting information in a storage area in response to a setting change request from a BIOS setting terminal, and outputs a setting backup request to the BIOS request management section. The BIOS request management unit stores BIOS setting information in the backup storage area in accordance with the settings backup request. When the management module receives an external request to read BIOS setting information, the management module reads data from the backup storage area and responds to the request source. According to the computer system described in Patent Document 2, BIOS setting information is automatically backed up to a backup storage area in a management module without using a special OS (Operating System) or applications. . Therefore, even if the server fails or is removed, its backup data can be read externally.

Further, Patent Document 3 describes the following BIOS recovery control device. The BIOS recovery control device described in Patent Document 3 includes a recovery means and a storage means. The recovery means is such that the controlled object operates when the system event log of the controlled object includes information indicating a timeout in the watchdog timer and status information indicating that setting information in the BIOS has been changed. It is determined that a failure has occurred that cannot be performed. Further, the recovery means changes the BIOS setting information so that recovery from the failure is possible. When receiving an instruction to change the setting information from the BIOS setting menu, the storage means generates and saves change history information based on the setting information before the change and the setting information after the change in the BIOS. According to the BIOS recovery control device described in Patent Document 3, even if a failure occurs due to the BIOS that makes it impossible to operate, the failure can be detected promptly and the failure can be recovered from. You can change the BIOS setting information as follows.

Note that in this application, the BIOS is a collection of programs (routines) that control the loading of an OS at startup in a computer and basic input/output to connected devices and devices. Further, in the present application, the BIOS is assumed to be a program that is executed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) based on predetermined setting information stored in a nonvolatile storage device when the CPU is started, for example.

JP2009-271864A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-224847 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-115928

In the devices and systems described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, when BIOS setting information is changed in a predetermined manner, the setting information before and after the change is saved. This configuration has a problem in that, for example, if the BIOS setting information is changed in a manner other than a predetermined change method, the changed setting information and the like may not be properly saved.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, a control method, a program, and an electronic device that solve the above problems.

One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device including a central processing unit and one or more nonvolatile storage devices. A program executed by the central processing unit based on predetermined setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage device when the central processing unit is activated includes a failure detection means and a difference detection means. The fault detection means detects occurrence of a predetermined fault. The difference detection means detects whether or not the setting information has been changed when the setting information is newly saved and when the fault detection means detects the occurrence of the fault. Furthermore, when the setting information is changed, the changed setting information is stored in the nonvolatile storage device.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling an information processing apparatus including a central processing unit and one or more nonvolatile storage devices. The control method causes the central processing unit to execute the following program, so that when there is a change in the setting information, the changed setting information is stored in the nonvolatile storage device. The program is a program that the central processing unit executes based on the setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage device when the central processing unit starts up. The program includes a failure detection means for detecting occurrence of a predetermined failure, and a change to the setting information when the setting information is newly saved and when the failure detection means detects the occurrence of the failure. difference detection means for detecting whether or not there is a difference detection means.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is an information processing device including a central processing unit and one or more nonvolatile storage devices, in which the central processing unit stores information in the nonvolatile storage device when the central processing unit is started. This is a program that is executed based on predetermined setting information. The program includes a failure detection means and a difference detection means. The fault detection means detects occurrence of a predetermined fault. The difference detection means detects whether or not the setting information has been changed when the setting information is newly saved and when the fault detection means detects the occurrence of the fault. Furthermore, when the setting information is changed, the changed setting information is stored in the nonvolatile storage device.

Further, one embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device including a central processing unit and one or more nonvolatile storage devices. A failure detection means for detecting occurrence of a predetermined failure by a program executed by the central processing unit based on predetermined setting information stored in the non-volatile storage device when the central processing unit is started, and the setting information difference detection means for detecting whether or not there has been a change in the setting information when the setting information is newly saved and when the fault detection means detects the occurrence of the fault, If there is, the changed setting information is stored in the nonvolatile storage device.

According to the information processing device, control method, program, and electronic device of the present invention, when BIOS setting information is changed, the changed setting information can be appropriately saved.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of basic input/output control means 2-1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic device 1-1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a record format of system event log information according to the first embodiment. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the maintenance server 8-1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic device 1-1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of basic input/output control means 2-1a shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the minimum configuration of an electronic device according to each embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding components, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

(First embodiment)
An electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the basic input/output control means 2-1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic device 1-1 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a record format of system event log information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the maintenance server 8-1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic device 1-1 shown in FIG.

(Example of configuration of electronic device)
As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1-1 according to the first embodiment includes a CPU 1-2, a main storage device 1-3, an auxiliary storage device 1-4, a nonvolatile storage device 1-5, It includes a management controller 1-6, an interface 1-7, and an input/output device 1-8. The electronic device 1-1 is, for example, an information processing device (computer) such as a server, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or an electronic device including a computer. Note that the electronic device 1-1 includes an IC (integrated circuit) equipped with a clock function, a power supply circuit, and the like (not shown).

First, the nonvolatile storage device 1-5 in this embodiment will be explained. Nonvolatile storage device 1-5 includes one or more nonvolatile memories. Examples of the nonvolatile memory include flash memory, ROM (read only memory), and RAM (random access memory) backed up by a battery or the like. The nonvolatile storage device 1-5 includes basic input/output control means 2-1 and the like. The basic input/output control means 2-1 includes software and hardware. The basic input/output control means 2-1 includes, as software, a BIOS 2-1-1, BIOS setting information 2-1-2, and the like. Further, the basic input/output control means 2-1 includes, as hardware, a storage area for storing the BIOS 2-1-1 and a storage area for storing setting information 2-1-2 and the like. In this embodiment, executing the basic input/output control means 2-1 means that the CPU 1-2 executes a program in the BIOS 2-1-1 included in the basic input/output control means 2-1.

In this embodiment, the BIOS 2-1-1 loads the OS at startup, controls basic input/output according to setting information for devices and equipment in the electronic device 1-1, and changes the setting information. This is a collection of programs (routines) for outputting a menu, accepting input for that menu, etc. Further, the BIOS 2-1-1 includes, for example, programs for checking the functions of each part at power-up, setting interrupt vectors, loading initial programs, and the like. Note that the BIOS 2-1-1 is called a legacy BIOS, a UEFI BIOS (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface BIOS), etc. depending on the specification. In this embodiment, the BIOS 2-1-1 stores predetermined setting information stored in the non-volatile storage device 1-5, for example, when the CPU 1-2 starts up the CPU 1-2 and before starting a predetermined OS. Assume that the program is executed based on the following. Note that in this embodiment, the OS is software that comprehensively manages hardware and software. The OS is not limited to a general-purpose OS, and may be one that is uniquely developed for the electronic device 1-1. The OS includes programs executed by the CPUs 1-2.

The setting information 2-1-2 included in the basic input/output control means 2-1 is data used by a plurality of programs included in the BIOS 2-1-1 in the basic input/output control means 2-1, and includes, for example, a predetermined initial value. is set, and is changed by the user of the electronic device 1-1, for example. In this embodiment, it is assumed that BIOS 2-1-1 is UEFI BIOS. Further, assume that the setting information 2-1-2 is, for example, information representing an EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) variable. Examples of EFI variables include "EIST", "C State", "Hyper Threading", "Memory Frequency", "TXT Support", "Num Lock", "Quick Boot", "Sata Mode", and "Secure". "Boot" , "FRB2", "BMC Support", etc. However, it is not limited to these.

The above-mentioned "EIST (Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology)" is a variable that indicates whether the power saving technology that dynamically controls the operating clock and voltage of the CPU 1-2 is enabled or disabled. "C State" is a variable that indicates whether the operation mode is valid, invalid, automatic, etc. when the CPU 1-2 is in an idle state. “Hyper Threading” is a variable regarding an operation mode in which two threads are executed in parallel on one core. "Memory Frequency" is a variable regarding the operating frequency of the memory. “TXT Support” is a variable regarding Trusted Execution Technology. “Num Lock” is a variable for inputting numerical values using a numeric keypad or the like. "Quick Boot" is a variable for a function that omits some hardware checks at startup. “Sata Mode” is a variable regarding Serial ATA (AT Attachment). "Secure Boot" is a variable for the ability to use each signed boot software. “FRB2” is a variable for Fault Resilient Booting level 2. “BMC Support” is a variable regarding the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC).

Next, the CPU 1-2 is a central processing unit, and for example, executes the basic input/output control means 2-1 when the electronic device 1-1 is powered on, thereby storing data in the auxiliary storage device 1-4. Start the specified OS. The main storage device 1-3 is a main memory and is composed of a RAM. The auxiliary storage device 1-4 is an external storage device and stores an OS, application programs, various files, and the like. Note that the OS, application programs, various files, etc. may be stored in the nonvolatile storage device 1-5.

The management controller 1-6 is a BMC (baseboard management controller), operates independently of the CPU 1-2, and monitors, for example, the operating state of the CPU 1-2. In this embodiment, the management controller 1-6 receives data in a predetermined format from the CPU 1-2 using IPMI commands in accordance with the IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) standard. The management controller 1-6 also includes a log storage unit 1-61 made of a non-volatile storage device, and stores data received from the CPU 1-2 as system event log information (also referred to as SEL (System Event Log) information). Stored in section 1-61. In this embodiment, the log storage unit 1-61 is one of the nonvolatile storage devices included in the electronic device 1-1, and in that sense has the same configuration as the nonvolatile storage device 1-5. Furthermore, the management controller 1-6 transmits and receives predetermined data to and from a maintenance server 8-1 provided in an external monitoring center 7-1 via a communication line, for example.

The interface 1-7 is a connection device that connects the CPU 1-2 to an input/output device 1-8, an external peripheral device (not shown), a storage device, a communication device, a communication line, etc.

The input/output devices 1-8 include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, a touch panel, a display, an audio input/output device, a printing device, and the like.

(Configuration of basic input/output control means)
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a configuration example of the basic input/output control means 2-1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. It should be noted that FIG. 2 shows only a portion of the configuration within the basic input/output control means 2-1 that is related to the storage of the setting information 2-1-2 in this embodiment.

The basic input/output control means 2-1 shown in FIG. 2 includes a BIOS setting menu 2-2, a BIOS SETUP storage area 2-3, a failure detection section 2-4, and a BIOS SETUP change detection section 3-1. The BIOS SETUP change detection unit 3-1 includes a configuration information storage unit 5-0, a configuration information case area 5-1, and a difference detection unit 6-1. The BIOS setting menu 2-2, failure detection section 2-4, setting information storage section 5-0, and difference detection section 6-1 are configured in the configuration included in the BIOS 2-1-1 shown in FIG. This is the program to be executed. The BIOS SETUP storage area 2-3 and the setting information storage area 5-1 are storage areas within the basic input/output control means 2-1. Further, the BIOS SETUP storage area 2-3 is a storage area for the setting information 2-1-2 shown in FIG.

The BIOS setting menu 2-2 displays a menu for changing the settings of the setting information 2-1-2 on the input/output device 1-8, etc., and inputs input operations for the menu on the input/output device 1-8, etc. Contains programs that perform Setting information 2-1-2 (information on EFI variables for BIOS settings) input by the CPU 1-2 by executing the BIOS setting menu 2-2 is stored in the BIOS SETUP storage area 2-3.

The fault detection unit 2-4 is a program that detects the occurrence of a predetermined fault when it occurs in the CPU 1-2, memory such as the main storage device 1-3, devices connected to the interface 1-7, etc. be. The predetermined failure is, for example, an abnormal operation of the CPU 1-2, an abnormal operation of the memory, or the like. The failure detection unit 2-4 includes a predetermined function check program that is activated by a hardware interrupt signal such as SMI (System Management Interrupt). When the CPU 1-2 detects the occurrence of a failure by executing the failure detection unit 2-4, the CPU 1-2 starts processing by the BIOS SETUP change detection unit 3-1. Further, when the occurrence of a failure is detected by the CPU 1-2 executing the failure detection unit 2-4, the CPU 1-2 notifies the management controller 1-6 that the failure has occurred.

The setting information storage unit 5-0 collects information on EFI variables of BIOS settings from the BIOS SETUP storage area 2-3, and stores BIOS setting information 5-2 and BIOS setting information 5-3 in the setting information storage area 5-1. Contains programs stored as .

The difference detection unit 6-1 includes a difference determination unit 6-2, a date and time acquisition unit 6-3, and an SEL notification unit 6-4. The difference determination unit 6-2 is a program that detects the difference between the BIOS setting information 5-2 and the BIOS setting information 5-3. The date and time acquisition unit 6-3 is a program that acquires the date and time. The SEL notification unit 6-4 is a program that notifies the management controller 1-6 of SEL information.

(Example of operation of basic input/output control means)
First, with reference to FIG. 3 and the like, an example of the operation when the BIOS SETUP setting (setting information 2-1-2) is changed in the BIOS setting menu 2-2 will be described. In the following, the operation (processing) caused by the CPU 1-2 executing a program included in the basic input/output control means 2-1 will be explained assuming that the basic input/output control means 2-1 etc. are the main body of the operation.

As shown in FIG. 3, in an electronic device 1-1 such as a server device, when the setting value of a BIOS SETUP item (such as "EIST") is changed in the BIOS setting menu 2-2, the basic input/output control means 2- 1 executes "Save and Exit" in response to the user's input operation to save the settings of the BIOS SETUP items (step A1). At this time, the basic input/output control means 2-1 saves the setting values of the BIOS SETUP items in the BIOS SETUP storage area 2-3, and the processing of the BIOS SETUP change detection section 3-1 is started here (step A2). The processing of the BIOS SETUP change detection unit 3-1 will be explained below.

Process 1: The BIOS SETUP change detection unit 3-1 first stores the EFI variable of the BIOS SETUP setting obtained from the BIOS SETUP storage area 2-3 in the BIOS setting information 5-3 in the setting information storage area 5-1. (Step A3).

Process 2: The difference determination unit 6-2 of the difference detection unit 6-1 determines whether there is a difference between the BIOS setting information 5-2 (*1) and the BIOS setting information 5-3 stored in the setting information storage area 5-1. Check whether there is one (step A4). (*1) The BIOS setting information 5-2 initially stores BIOS SETUP default data.

Process 3: If the difference cannot be detected in process 2 (step A4: NO), the process of the BIOS SETUP change detection unit 3-1 is ended (step A8). If a difference is detected (step A4: YES), the BIOS setting information 5-2 in the setting information area 5-1 is overwritten with the BIOS setting information 5-3 (step A5).

Process 4: In order to record the date and time when the difference occurred in the SEL information, the SEL notification unit 6-4 acquires the current date and time from the date and time acquisition unit 6-3 (step A6).

Process 5: The SEL notification unit 6-4 formats the BIOS setting information 5-3 and the date and time acquired from the date and time acquisition unit 6-3 into a predetermined SEL information storage format. Further, the SEL notification unit 6-4 uses an IPMI command to notify the management controller 1-6 of a plurality of records storing the BIOS setting information 5-3 and date and time as SEL information (step A7).

FIG. 4 shows an example of the format of a record that stores SEL information in this embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the length of each record is 16 bytes. The first and second bytes are fields representing a record ID (identification code). The record ID is used when accessing the record. The third byte is a field representing the record type. The record type represents the type of record. The fourth to seventh bytes are fields representing timestamps. The timestamp represents the year, month, day, hour and minute. The 8th and 9th bytes are fields representing the manufacturer ID. In this embodiment, the 11th to 16th bytes are fields representing EFI variable information of the BIOS settings stored in the BIOS setting information 5-3. In step A7, the SEL notification unit 6-4 stores the date and time in the 4th to 7th bytes and the BIOS setting information 5-3 in the 11th to 16th bytes in accordance with the SEL Record Format shown in FIG. Set the EFI variables in the BIOS SETUP settings, and use the IPMI command to notify the management controller 1-6 of the SEL information.

Note that if the EFI variables of the BIOS SETUP cannot fit into the EFI variable fields of the 11th to 16th BIOS settings at once, the SEL notification unit 6-4 divides the EFI variables of the BIOS SETUP settings into 6-byte units and displays all BIOS settings. SEL information is notified to the management controller 1-6 until notification of EFI variables of SETUP settings is completed. At this time, the SEL notification unit 6-4 adds a predetermined code (in this embodiment, "FFFFFFFF" as an example) to the end of the EFI variable of BIOS SETUP, and notifies the management controller 1-6 of the SEL information.

Process 6: This completes the process of the BIOS SETUP change detection unit 3-1 (step A8).

On the other hand, the maintenance worker accesses the log storage unit 1-61 of the management controller 1-6 of the electronic device 1-1 to be monitored from the maintenance server 8-1 in the monitoring center 7-1, and checks the SEL information. . The maintenance worker extracts the EFI variable information of the BIOS SETUP settings from the acquired SEL information and applies the EFI variable conversion program 8-2. FIG. 5 shows an example of the operation of the EFI variable conversion program 8-2.

For example, assume that there is EFI variable information for BIOS SETUP settings and BIOS SETUP items as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, each BIOS SETUP item is composed of 4 bytes, but the field of the EFI variable corresponding to the BIOS SETUP item is not a fixed size. For example, "C State" described in the BIOS SETUP item corresponds to an offset of 4 Bytes and a size of 1 Byte of the EFI variable of the BIOS SETUP settings. The EFI variable conversion program 8-2 obtains 0x01, which is the value corresponding to "C State" in the BIOS SETUP item, converts it to "Enable", which is the setting corresponding to that value, and outputs it. The EFI variable conversion program 8-2 obtains setting values corresponding to all BIOS SETUP items by converting this until the EFI variables of the BIOS SETUP settings are completed.

Next, an example of the operation when the failure detection unit 2-4 detects the occurrence of a failure will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and the like. In the electronic device 1-1 such as a server device, if a failure occurs in the CPU 1-2, memory such as the main storage device 1-3, or devices connected to the interface 1-7, the BIOS 2-1-1 is triggered by the SMI. 1 operates (step B1). When the failure detection section 2-4 operates, the processing of the BIOS SETUP change detection section 3-1 is started (step B2). The processing of the BIOS SETUP change detection unit 3-1 will be explained below.

Process 1: In the BIOS SETUP change detection unit 3-1, first, the setting information storage unit 5-0 acquires the BIOS setting information 5-3 in the setting information storage area 5-1 from the BIOS SETUP storage area 2-3. The EFI variables of the BIOS SETUP settings are stored (step B3).

Process 2: The difference determination unit 6-2 of the difference detection unit 6-1 determines whether there is a difference between the BIOS setting information 5-2 (*1) and the BIOS setting information 5-3 stored in the setting information storage area 5-1. Check whether there is one (step B4). (*1) Initially, BIOS SETUP default data is stored.

Process 3: If the difference cannot be detected in process 2 (step B4: NO), the BIOS SETUP change detection unit 3-1 ends the process (step B8). If a difference is detected (step B4: YES), the setting information storage unit 5-0 overwrites the BIOS setting information 5-2 in the setting information class area 5-1 with the information in the BIOS setting information 5-3 ( Step B5).

Process 4: In order to record the date and time when the difference occurred in the SEL information, the SEL notification unit 6-4 acquires the current date and time from the date and time acquisition unit 6-3 (step B6).

Process 5: The SEL notification unit 6-4 formats the BIOS setting information 2 and the date and time acquired from the date and time acquisition unit 6-3 into a predetermined SEL information storage format. Further, the SEL notification unit 6-4 uses an IPMI command to notify the management controller 1-6 of a plurality of records storing the BIOS setting information 5-3 and date and time as SEL information (step B7).

In step B7, the SEL notification unit 6-4 stores the date and time in the 4th to 7th bytes and the BIOS setting information 5-3 in the 11th to 16th bytes in accordance with the SEL Record Format shown in FIG. Set the EFI variables in the BIOS SETUP settings, and use the IPMI command to notify the management controller 1-6 of the SEL information.

Note that if the EFI variables of the BIOS SETUP cannot fit into the EFI variable fields of the 11th to 16th BIOS settings at once, the SEL notification unit 6-4 divides the EFI variables of the BIOS SETUP settings into 6-byte units and displays all BIOS settings. SEL information is notified to the management controller 1-6 until notification of EFI variables of SETUP settings is completed. At this time, the SEL notification unit 6-4 adds a predetermined code (in this embodiment, "FFFFFFFF" as an example) to the end of the EFI variable of BIOS SETUP, and notifies the management controller 1-6 of the SEL information.

Process 6: With the above steps, the BIOS SETUP change detection unit 3-1 ends the process (step B8).

On the other hand, the maintenance worker accesses the log storage unit 1-61 of the management controller 1-6 of the electronic device 1-1 to be monitored from the maintenance server 8-1 in the monitoring center 7-1, and checks the SEL information. . The maintenance worker extracts the EFI variable information of the BIOS SETUP settings from the acquired SEL information and applies the EFI variable conversion program 8-2. The maintenance worker obtains the BIOS SETUP items and corresponding setting values as described with reference to FIG. The maintenance worker checks the influence of the failure by comparing the details of the failure with the obtained BIOS SETUP items and setting values.

(action/effect)
According to the electronic device, control method, and program of the present embodiment, when the setting information of a program executed by the CPU at startup is changed based on predetermined setting information stored in a nonvolatile storage device, the changed Setting information can be saved appropriately.

Further, the electronic device 1-1 of the present embodiment includes a central processing unit (CPU 1-2) and one or more non-volatile storage devices (non-volatile storage device 1-5 and log storage unit 1-61). . The central processing unit (CPU1-2) executes a program (BIOS2 -1-1) includes a fault detection means (fault detection section 2-4) and a difference detection means (difference detection section 6-1). The fault detection means (fault detection unit 2-4) detects the occurrence of a predetermined fault. The difference detection means (difference detection unit 6-1) detects when the setting information 2-1-2 is newly saved and when the failure detection means (failure detection unit 2-4) detects the occurrence of a failure. , detects whether or not there has been a change in the setting information 2-1-2. Further, when there is a change in the setting information 2-1-2, the changed setting information 2-1-2 is stored in the nonvolatile storage device (log storage unit 1-61). According to this configuration, when the setting information 2-1-2 of the BIOS 2-1-1 is changed, the changed setting information 2-1-2 can be appropriately saved.

Further, the electronic device 1-1 of the present embodiment operates independently of the central processing unit (CPU 1-2), and at least includes a management controller 1-6 that monitors the operating state of the central processing unit (CPU 1-2). Be prepared for more. At least one of the nonvolatile storage devices included in the electronic device 1-1 is provided as a log storage unit 1-61 within the management controller 1-6. Further, the changed setting information 2-1-2 is stored as system event log information (SEL information) in a nonvolatile storage device (log storage unit 1-61) within the management controller 1-6. According to this configuration, the changed setting information 2-1-2 can be stored in the management controller 1-6, which operates independently of the operation of the central processing unit (CPU 1-2).

In addition, in the electronic device 1-1 of this embodiment, the changed setting information 2-1-2 is stored in a non-volatile storage device (log storage section) in the management controller 1-6 using a plurality of records in a predetermined format. 1-61) as system event log information (SEL information). According to this configuration, the changed setting information 2-1-2 can be stored in the management controller 1-6 using, for example, an existing record format.

Furthermore, in the electronic device 1-1 of this embodiment, the changed setting information 2-1-2 is notified to the management controller 1-6 by using a command in a predetermined format multiple times. According to this configuration, the changed setting information 2-1-2 can be stored in the management controller 1-6 using, for example, an existing command.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the following (effect 1) and (effect 2) make it easier to identify the cause by providing information on BIOS SETUP settings when investigating a failure, and for example, reduce the downtime of a customer's electronic device. can be achieved.

(Effect 1) According to this embodiment, when changing the BIOS SETUP item, the EFI variable of the BIOS SETUP setting can be left in the SEL information. Therefore, there is no need for a maintenance worker to inquire about the order of setting BIOS SETUP items and setting items to a customer, and to investigate differences in BIOS SETUP items. Therefore, cost and investigation time can be reduced.

(Effect 2) According to this embodiment, even when a failure occurs, the EFI variables of the BIOS SETUP settings can be collected and left in the SEL information. The maintenance worker can obtain the BIOS SETUP settings at the time of failure by applying the EFI variables of the BIOS SETUP settings left in the collected SEL information to the EFI variable conversion program. Therefore, by comparing the details of the failure with the information of the BIOS SETUP item obtained from the EFI variable of the BIOS SETUP setting, the cause of the failure can be easily identified.

(Second embodiment)
An electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the basic input/output control means 2-1a shown in FIG.

(Example of configuration of electronic device)
The electronic device 1-1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the electronic device 1-1a according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 have the same basic configuration. As shown in FIG. 7, the electronic device 1-1a according to the second embodiment includes, for example, a CPU 1-2, a main storage device 1-3, an auxiliary storage device 1-4, and a nonvolatile storage device 1-5. , an interface 1-7, and an input/output device 1-8. Like the electronic device 1-1 according to the first embodiment, the electronic device 1-1a according to the second embodiment is, for example, a computer such as a server, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or an electronic device equipped with a computer. be. However, while the electronic device 1-1 according to the first embodiment includes a management controller 1-6, the electronic device 1-1a according to the second embodiment includes a management controller 1-6 as shown in FIG. can be omitted. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, a nonvolatile storage device 10-1 such as a removable USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory is connected to the interface 1-7.

Further, the configuration and operation of the basic input/output control means 2-1a according to the second embodiment are partially different from the configuration and operation of the basic input/output control means 2-1 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, in the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 7, the nonvolatile storage device 1-5 includes basic input/output control means 2-1a and the like. The basic input/output control means 2-1a shown in FIG. 7 has a configuration corresponding to the basic input/output control means 2-1 shown in FIG. The basic input/output control means 2-1a includes software and hardware. The basic input/output control means 2-1a includes a BIOS 2-1-1a, BIOS setting information 2-1-2, etc. as software. Further, the basic input/output control means 2-1a includes, as hardware, a storage area for storing the BIOS 2-1-1a and a storage area for storing the setting information 2-1-2 and the like. The BIOS 2-1-1a shown in FIG. 7 and the BIOS 2-1-1 shown in FIG. 1 are partially different as described below.

An example of the configuration of the basic input/output control means 2-1a shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. It should be noted that FIG. 8 shows only a portion of the configuration within the basic input/output control means 2-1a that is related to the storage of the setting information 2-1-2 in this embodiment.

The basic input/output control means 2-1a shown in FIG. 8 includes a BIOS setting menu 2-2a, a BIOS SETUP storage area 2-3, a failure detection section 2-4a, and a BIOS SETUP change detection section 3-1a.

The BIOS setting menu 2-2a displays a menu for changing the settings of the setting information 2-1-2 on the input/output device 1-8, etc., and inputs input operations for the menu on the input/output device 1-8, etc. Contains programs that perform The BIOS setting menu 2-2a further includes a program that outputs information in a change history storage area 9-1, which will be described later, to a nonvolatile storage device 10-1 or the like. Setting information 2-1-2 (information on EFI variables of BIOS settings) input by the CPU 1-2 by executing the BIOS setting menu 2-2a is stored in the BIOS SETUP storage area 2-3. Further, when the CPU 1-2 executes the BIOS setting menu 2-2a, the information in the change history storage area 9-1 is output to the nonvolatile storage device 10-1 or the like.

The BIOS SETUP change detection unit 3-1a has a configuration information storage unit 5-0, a configuration information storage area 5-1, a difference detection unit 6-1a, and a change history storage area 9-1. The BIOS SETUP change detection unit 3-1a differs from the BIOS SETUP change detection unit 3-1 shown in FIG. 1 in that it newly includes a change history storage area 9-1. The BIOS setting menu 2-2a, the failure detection section 2-4a, the setting information storage section 5-0, and the difference detection section 6-1a are configured according to the configuration included in the BIOS 2-1-1a shown in FIG. This is the program to be executed. The BIOS SETUP storage area 2-3, setting information storage area 5-1, and change history storage area 9-1 are storage areas within the basic input/output control means 2-1. Further, the BIOS SETUP storage area 2-3 is a storage area for setting information 2-1-2 shown in FIG.

Similar to the failure detection unit 2-4 according to the first embodiment, the failure detection unit 2-4a detects a predetermined condition in the CPU 1-2, memory such as the main storage device 1-3, devices connected to the interface 1-7, etc. This is a program that detects the occurrence of a failure when it occurs. However, while the failure detection unit 2-4 according to the first embodiment includes a function of notifying the management controller 1-6 that a failure has occurred, this function is omitted in the failure detection unit 2-4a. There is. The failure detection unit 2-4a includes, for example, a predetermined function check program that is activated by a hardware interrupt signal such as SMI. When the occurrence of a failure is detected by the CPU 1-2 executing the failure detection unit 2-4a, the CPU 1-2a starts processing by the BIOS SETUP change detection unit 3-1a.

The difference detection unit 6-1a includes a difference determination unit 6-2a and a date and time acquisition unit 6-3. The difference detection unit 6-1a of the second embodiment does not include the SEL notification unit 6-4, unlike the difference detection unit 6-1 of the first embodiment. The difference determination unit 6-2a includes a program that detects the difference between the BIOS setting information 5-2 and the BIOS setting information 5-3. If a difference is detected, the difference determination unit 6-2a further uses the contents of the BIOS setting information 5-3 and the date and time acquired by the date and time acquisition unit 6-3 as change history information k (k is an integer from 1 to n). Contains a program to be stored in the change history storage area 9-1. *
As shown in FIG. 8, the second embodiment differs from the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in that the SEL notification section 6-4, management controller 1-6, and maintenance server 8-1 are eliminated. are different. In addition, the second embodiment has a new change history storage area 9-1 in the BIOS SETUP change detection unit 3-1a, and stores the information of the BIOS setting information 5-3 in the change history storage area 9-1. The difference is that they are accumulated and memorized. The BIOS setting menu 2-2a has a function of outputting information in the change history storage area 9-1 to a nonvolatile storage device 10-1 or the like. The maintenance worker can output the information in the change history storage area 9-1 to the nonvolatile storage device 10-1 or the like and obtain the BIOS SETUP items and setting values.

According to the second embodiment, it is possible to support electronic devices that do not have a management controller 1-6.

(Minimum configuration of each embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the minimum configuration according to each embodiment of the present invention. An electronic device 100 (corresponding to electronic devices 1-1 and 1-1a) shown in FIG. 9 includes a central processing unit 101 and one or more nonvolatile storage devices 102. A program 103 that is executed by the central processing unit 101 based on predetermined setting information 104 stored in the nonvolatile storage device 102 when the central processing unit is started up includes a failure detection means 103-1 and a difference detection means 103-2. including. The failure detection means 103-1 detects the occurrence of a predetermined failure. The difference detection means 103-2 detects whether or not the setting information 104 has been changed when the setting information 104 is newly saved and when the fault detection means 103-1 detects the occurrence of a fault. Then, when there is a change in the setting information 104, the changed setting information 104 is stored in the nonvolatile storage device 102.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may include design changes without departing from the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, part or all of the program executed by the computer in the above embodiments can be distributed via a computer-readable recording medium or a communication line.

100...Electronic device, 101...Central processing unit, 102...Nonvolatile storage device, 103...Program, 103-1...Failure detection means, 103-2...Difference detection means, 104...Setting information, 1-1, 1-1a ...Electronic device, 1-2...CPU, 1-5...Nonvolatile storage device, 2-1, 2-1a...Basic input/output control means, 2-1-1, 2-1-1a...BIOS, 2-1 -2...Setting information, 2-4, 2-4a...Failure detection unit, 6-1, 6-1a...Difference detection unit, 1-6...Management controller, 1-61...Log storage unit, 9-1...Change History storage area

Claims (7)

a central processing unit; one or more non-volatile storage devices ;
a management controller that operates independently of the central processing unit and monitors at least the operating state of the central processing unit;
Equipped with
at least one of the non-volatile storage devices is provided within the management controller;
A program executed by the central processing unit based on predetermined BIOS setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage device when the central processing unit is started,
failure detection means for detecting occurrence of a predetermined failure in at least one of the central processing unit, the nonvolatile storage device, and hardware connected to the interface ;
Difference detection for detecting whether or not there has been a change in the BIOS setting information when the BIOS setting information is newly saved in the nonvolatile storage device and when the fault detection means detects the occurrence of the fault. means and
including;
The difference detection means records the changed BIOS setting information in the nonvolatile storage device in the management controller when the BIOS setting information is changed. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the changed BIOS setting information is stored in the nonvolatile storage device in the management controller as system event log information. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the changed BIOS setting information is stored as the system event log information using a plurality of records in a predetermined format. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the difference detection means notifies the management controller of the changed BIOS setting information by using a command in a predetermined format multiple times. The nonvolatile storage device includes a central processing unit, one or more nonvolatile storage devices , and a management controller that operates independently of the central processing unit and monitors at least the operating state of the central processing unit . At least one of the following is a method for controlling an information processing device provided in the management controller ,
A program executed by the central processing unit based on predetermined BIOS setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage device when the central processing unit is started,
failure detection means for detecting occurrence of a predetermined failure in at least one of the central processing unit, the nonvolatile storage device, and hardware connected to the interface ;
Difference detection for detecting whether or not there has been a change in the BIOS setting information when the BIOS setting information is newly saved in the nonvolatile storage device and when the fault detection means detects the occurrence of the fault. means and
By causing the central processing unit to execute a program including
The difference detection means records the changed BIOS setting information in the nonvolatile storage device in the management controller when the BIOS setting information is changed. The nonvolatile storage device includes a central processing unit, one or more nonvolatile storage devices , and a management controller that operates independently of the central processing unit and monitors at least the operating state of the central processing unit . In an information processing device in which at least one of the following is provided in the management controller , a program executed by the central processing unit based on predetermined BIOS setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage device when the central processing unit is started. And,
failure detection means for detecting occurrence of a predetermined failure in at least one of the central processing unit, the nonvolatile storage device, and hardware connected to the interface ;
Difference detection for detecting whether or not there has been a change in the BIOS setting information when the BIOS setting information is newly saved in the nonvolatile storage device and when the fault detection means detects the occurrence of the fault. means and
including;
The difference detection means records the changed BIOS setting information in the nonvolatile storage device in the management controller when the BIOS setting information is changed. The nonvolatile storage device includes a central processing unit, one or more nonvolatile storage devices , and a management controller that operates independently of the central processing unit and monitors at least the operating state of the central processing unit . provided in the management controller,
A program executed by the central processing unit based on predetermined BIOS setting information stored in the nonvolatile storage device when the central processing unit is started,
failure detection means for detecting occurrence of a predetermined failure in at least one of the central processing unit, the nonvolatile storage device, and hardware connected to the interface ;
Difference detection for detecting whether or not there has been a change in the BIOS setting information when the BIOS setting information is newly saved in the nonvolatile storage device and when the fault detection means detects the occurrence of the fault. means and
including;
The difference detection means records the changed BIOS setting information in the nonvolatile storage device in the management controller when the BIOS setting information is changed.

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