KR20080016304A - Apparatus and method for controlling of memory - Google Patents

Abstract

A device and a method for controlling a memory are provided to improve utilization of a NAND flash memory by performing a self-diagnosis and booting operation with a BIOS(Basic Input/Output System) stored in the NAND flash memory used as a cache memory of a hard disk, and reduce a cost of a computer system by removing a firmware hub, a boot ROM, or an embedded flash memory installed for storing the BIOS. A storage unit(22) has more than one memory area and is the NAND flash memory. A controller(21) performs an authentication operation for using the computer system by using the storage unit, and controls the self-diagnosis and booting operation of the computer system after authentication. A predetermined memory area of the storage unit stores authentication information, a self-diagnosis program, and a booting program. The controller uses the storage unit as the cache memory of the hard disk(40). The memory area comprises a BIOS area storing the self-diagnosis program and the booting program, a cache memory area used as the cache memory, and a data area storing general data.

Description

MEMORY CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING OF MEMORY}

1 is a block diagram of a memory controller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of a NAND flash memory memory area shown in FIG. 1.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a memory control method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

`` Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawings ''

10: control unit 20: NAND flash memory

21: controller 22: memory area

22a: BIOS Area 22b: Security Area

22c: cache memory area 22d: data area

30: main memory 40: hard disk

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a memory device, and more particularly, to a memory control apparatus and method for diversifying the functions of a NAND flash memory used as a cache memory of a hard disk.

In general, a BIOS that performs booting is stored in a boot ROM, a built-in flash memory, or a firmware hub. When a computer system (hereinafter referred to as a 'system') is driven, the controller of the system accesses the BIOS and gives control to the BIOS. The BIOS first loads a self-diagnosis program into a main memory device to perform a power on self test (test) for each component such as a disk, a keyboard, and a mouse. Subsequently, the BIOS loads a booting program to search for an operating system stored in a hard disk, and performs a booting operation by loading the operating system into the main memory. When the booting is terminated in such a general system, the controller executes a program according to a user's command.

In this case, the controller directly accesses the program and data to be executed from the hard disk. The operation speed of the hard disk is slower than the access speed of the controller, thereby delaying booting and operating time.

Accordingly, techniques for shortening booting time and operating time have been recently developed. The technology proceeds in the form of minimizing the operation of a hard disk using a NAND flash memory. Among them, Intel's Robson technology uses NAND flash memory as the cache memory of the hard disk. Accordingly, the system to which the cache memory is applied may exhibit a faster booting speed and an operating speed by preventing a speed drop due to hard disk driving.

However, the NAND flash memory is used only as a cache memory of the hard disk. Thus, the conventional system is provided with a firmware hub, a boot ROM, or a built-in flash memory for storing the BIOS and a NAND flash memory used as a cache memory of the hard disk. As a result, the NAND flash memory has a problem in that it can be used for other purposes in addition to the cache memory.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a memory control apparatus and method for utilizing various functions of a NAND flash memory used as a cache memory of a hard disk.

Memory control apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object comprises a storage unit having at least one memory area, and a control unit for controlling the self-diagnostic test and boot operation of the computer system using the storage unit The self-diagnostic program for performing the self-diagnosis test and the booting program for performing a booting operation are provided in a predetermined memory area of the storage unit.

Memory control device according to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is a storage unit having at least one memory area, and performs the authentication operation for the use of the computer system using the storage unit, the authentication is completed And a control unit for controlling a self-diagnosis test and a booting operation of the computer system, wherein a predetermined memory area of the storage unit includes authentication information for performing the authentication operation and a self-diagnostic program for performing the self-diagnosis test. And a booting program for performing the booting operation.

In the present invention, the control unit preferably uses the storage unit as a cache memory of the auxiliary storage device of the computer system.

In the present invention, the memory area is preferably composed of a BIOS area for storing the self-diagnostic program and the boot program, a cache memory area used as the cache memory, and a data area for storing general data.

Alternatively, the memory area may include a BIOS area storing the self-diagnostic program and the boot program, a security area storing the authentication information, a cache memory area used as the cache memory, and a data area storing general data. Do.

Preferably, the bios area further stores an update program for updating the self-diagnosis program and the boot program.

In the present invention, the storage unit includes a controller for controlling the memory area according to a control operation of the controller, wherein the controller stores only the self-diagnostic program, the boot program, and the update program in the BIOS area. It is preferable to control as much as possible.

In the present invention, the storage unit is preferably an expansion module detachable to the control unit.

The control unit and the storage unit, a system management bus or a universal serial bus for transmitting and receiving the self-diagnostic program and the booting program before the booting operation is finished, and data and programs after the booting operation is completed. It is desirable to be connected to the PC Express bus.

The expansion module is preferably a mini card or an express card.

In the present invention, the authentication information is preferably configured to include at least one of a serial number, a user ID and a password of the storage unit and the system.

In the present invention, the storage unit is preferably a NAND flash memory.

The memory control method according to the present invention for achieving the above object comprises the steps of setting / storing a self-diagnostic program and a boot program in a predetermined memory area of the storage unit, checking whether the storage unit is connected; And performing a self-diagnostic test and a booting operation using the storage unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a memory, the method including setting and storing a self-diagnostic program, a boot program, and authentication information in a predetermined memory area of a storage unit, and whether the storage unit is connected. And a step of performing an authentication process based on the authentication information, and when the authentication process is completed, performing a self-diagnosis test and a booting operation using the storage unit. do.

In the present invention, the storage unit is preferably used as a cache memory of the auxiliary memory device when the boot operation is completed.

In the present invention, whether the storage unit is connected or not is preferably performed by a control unit using a predetermined connection bus connected to the storage unit after the hardware / software reset.

The control unit may check whether the storage unit is connected by using a system management bus (SMbus) or a universal serial bus (USB), and request and receive the self-diagnostic program, a boot program, and authentication information from the storage unit. Do.

When the storage unit is used as the cache memory, the control unit preferably transmits and receives data and programs through the PCI ExpressBus.

In the present invention, the storage unit is preferably a NAND flash memory in the form of a mini card or an express card detachably attached to an express card slot.

The present invention further includes the step of periodically updating / saving the self-diagnosis program and the booting program by an update program, wherein the self-diagnosis program, the booting program, and the updating program are stored only in a predetermined memory area. desirable.

In the present invention, preferably, only the self-diagnosis program and the booting program are stored in the predetermined memory area.

In the present invention, the authentication information is preferably at least one of a serial number of the storage unit and the system, a user ID and a password.

The present invention having the configuration as described above stores the self-diagnosis program, the booting program, and the authentication information in a predetermined area of the NAND flash memory used as the cache memory of the hard disk. Therefore, the present invention can enhance security by booting through the authentication process using the NAND flash memory, and also reduce the configuration cost of the system by removing the built-in flash memory that was provided separately for storing the programs. Can be.

Hereinafter, a memory control apparatus and method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a memory control apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exemplary view of a NAND flash memory memory region shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, the present invention includes a central process unit 10 for controlling the entire system. The controller 10 checks whether the NAND flash memory 20 is connected. When the NAND flash memory 20 is connected, the controller 10 performs a power on self test (hereinafter referred to as "POST") and a booting operation using the NAND flash memory 20. When the booting process is completed, the NAND flash memory 20 is controlled to be used as a cache memory of the hard disk 40. The controller 10 selectively performs an authentication process using the NAND flash memory 20.

When used as the cache memory, the NAND flash memory 20 temporarily stores programs and data transmitted and received between the hard disk 40 and the main memory device 30, and when the temporarily stored programs and data are used again. It is provided directly to the main memory (30). The NAND flash memory 20 may be provided as a built-in memory or may be detachably attached to the control unit 10 as an expansion module such as an express card or a mini card. For this reason, the control unit 10 cannot perform the POST and booting when the NAND flash memory 20 is not connected.

The NAND flash memory 20 may include a storage area 22 divided into one or more memory areas to store various types of information, and a controller for controlling a read / write operation of a program and data according to an operation to be performed in the corresponding memory area ( 21). The controller 21 updates the self diagnosis program and the booting program according to the operation of the update program. In addition, the controller 21 is preferably set not to store other data and programs in a memory area in which the programs are stored, and is set to generate an interrupt indicating a warning message for a delete command.

The NAND flash memory 20 and the controller 10 are connected to a PC express bus (hereinafter referred to as "PCI-E") which is activated after the POST process is performed. The PCI-E performs data transmission between the controller 10 and the NAND flash memory 20 at a predetermined speed (for example, 2.5Gbps). Accordingly, when the NAND flash memory 20 is used as the cache memory, the operation speed of the system is improved by suppressing the driving of the hard disk 40.

In addition, a system management bus (hereinafter referred to as "SMbus") or universal serial bus (Universal) to enable data communication between the NAND flash memory 20 and the control unit 10 before the POST is completed. Serial Bus, hereinafter referred to as "USB"). The buses SMbus and USB are buses that are activated and available since the system is turned on regardless of the POST. The controller 10 uses the buses to provide the authentication information, a self-diagnosis program, and a boot program. Is received from the NAND flash memory 20.

The storage area 22 of the NAND flash memory 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, a storage area 22 of the NAND flash memory 20 is provided with a BIOS area 22a for storing the BIOS. When the system is turned on, the BIOS area 22a stores a self-diagnosis program that performs the POST for checking the connection and operation states of the devices connected to the system, and a booting program that performs the boot. In addition, the BIOS area 22a stores an update program for updating the self diagnosis program and a boot program. In other words, when the system is turned on and the BIOS execution is requested from the controller 10, the NAND flash memory 20 loads the self-diagnostic program into the main memory device 30 to perform the POST, and the operating system Initialize each component of the system before loading it. In addition, the booting operation is performed by loading and executing the booting program in the main memory device 30. In this case, the operating system may be stored in the hard disk 40, but in order to shorten the booting time, the operating system may be stored in the memory area 22 of the NAND flash memory 20, for example, the BIOS area 22a or a separate area. Preferably stored.

In addition, the storage area 22 is provided with a security area 22b for storing authentication information. The authentication information refers to information for determining whether to use the mutual permission between the control unit 10 and the NAND flash memory 20 before performing the booting operation. To this end, the authentication information includes at least one of a physical serial number, a user ID and a password of the system and the NAND flash memory 20.

In addition, the storage area 22 is provided with a cache memory area 22c used as a cache memory of the hard disk 40 and a data area 22d for storing general data. The cache memory area 22c temporarily stores data transmitted and received between the main memory device 30 and the hard disk 40. That is, the NAND flash memory 20 functions to compensate for the speed difference generated between the devices 30 and 40 by using the cache memory area 22c. The data memory area 22d is an area for storing data generated during operation of the system, like a general storage unit.

The memory areas 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d may be divided into different areas, and the BIOS area 22a may be the security area 22b, the cache memory area 22c, or the data area. 22d) cannot be used. However, the cache memory area 22c and the data area 22d may be set by selectively allocating the capacity of each of the memory areas 22c and 22d according to the capacity of a program and data to be operated. The order of the memory areas 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d may be arbitrarily changed.

As such, in the present invention, the system can be used only when the NAND flash memory 20 in which the BIOS is stored is connected, and an authentication process for checking whether the authentication information is matched is provided.

Hereinafter, a memory control method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a memory control method of the memory controller shown in FIG. 1. This is performed by the controller 10 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, when the system is turned on or the hardware / software is reset (S10), the controller 10 checks whether the NAND flash memory 20 is connected (S11). At this time, the control unit 21 is set to store the address of the BIOS stored in the NAND flash memory 20 to check whether the NAND flash memory 20 is connected at the same time the system is driven.

When the NAND flash memory 20 is connected, in step 12 (S12), the controller 10 requests the controller 21 for authentication information. The controller 21 retrieves the authentication information from the security area 22b and transmits the authentication information to the controller 10 (S13). Thus, in step 14 (S14), the controller 10 receives the authentication information and transmits the authentication confirmation information to the controller so as to use the system if the information matches the information stored therein. In this case, the authentication information may be provided with a physical serial number, such as the model name, specifications or specifications of the NAND flash memory 20 and the system, the user ID and password. The controller 21 transmits the authentication information and the authentication confirmation information to the controller 10 through the SMbus or USB.

As described above, the present invention can improve security by connecting the NAND flash memory 20 and checking the authentication information. For example, when the NAND flash memory 20 is provided as an expansion module, the system cannot be used when the authentication information is different even when the expansion module does not exist or is connected.

In the fifteenth step S15, the controller 10 requests the BIOS to be executed through the SMbus or the USB. Accordingly, the controller 21 of the NAND flash memory 20 searches for a self-diagnosis program and a booting program stored in the BIOS area 22a of the NAND flash memory 22 and transmits it to the controller 10 (S16). . The programs are transmitted via the SMBus or USB. In the seventeenth step S17, the control unit 10 receives the programs and loads the programs in the main memory device 30. Accordingly, the controller 10 performs the POST, initializes each component constituting the system, and executes the booting operation by executing an operating system.

Thereafter, the controller 10 enters the system driving standby state and executes various programs and data according to a command input from a user (S18). In this case, the controller 10 controls the NAND flash memory 20 to be used as a cache memory of the hard disk 40. Then, the NAND flash memory 20 temporarily stores programs and data transmitted and received between the hard disk 40 and the main memory device 30, and when the programs and data are used again, the main memory device 30 directly. To provide it for execution.

In addition, the controller 10 may store programs and data in the data area 22d of the NAND flash memory 22 or provide stored programs and data to the main memory device 30 to use as a general storage unit.

In addition, when the controller 10 generates data to update (update) the self-diagnosis program and the booting program at any time after the booting is completed in the fifteenth step S15, the update program of the BIOS area 22a is generated. Update is performed to store the data in the BIOS area 22a.

On the other hand, the controller 21 uses the NAND flash memory 20 as the cache memory or the general storage unit in operation 18 (S18) or classifies data and programs stored in the update process in the corresponding area. . For example, when the booting program is updated, the controller 21 stores the updated booting program in the BIOS area 22a, and data and programs stored in the process of being used as the cache memory are stored in the cache memory area. Store at 22c.

Through the above process, the memory control apparatus and method according to the present invention performs an authentication process using a NAND flash memory used as a cache memory of a hard disk, and performs a self-diagnosis test and a booting operation. In addition, when there is no NAND flash memory provided in the form of expansion module, the system cannot be used to improve security.

Although the above embodiments have been described using a computer system, it is obvious that the present invention can be applied to various terminal devices using a hard disk as an auxiliary memory device.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, which are merely exemplary, and a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be apparent that various modifications, changes, and equivalent other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

As described above, the present invention performs a self-diagnostic test and a booting operation using a BIOS stored in a NAND flash memory used as a cache memory of a hard disk. Thus, the present invention can improve the utilization of the NAND flash memory, and can reduce the configuration cost of the computer system by removing the firmware hub, boot ROM, or built-in flash memory that is separately provided for storing the BIOS. In addition, when the NAND flash memory is provided as a removable expansion module, it is possible to improve security in case of loss and theft of the NAND flash memory and the system by using authentication information.

Claims (24)

A storage unit having one or more memory areas, And a control unit for controlling a self-diagnosis test and a booting operation of the computer system using the storage unit. And a booting program for performing a booting operation and a self-diagnosis program for performing the self-diagnosis test in a predetermined memory area of the storage unit. A storage unit having one or more memory areas, A control unit which performs an authentication operation for use of the computer system by using the storage unit, and controls a self-diagnosis test and a booting operation of the computer system after the authentication is completed; And a booting program for performing the booting operation and an authentication information for performing the authentication operation, a self-diagnosis program for performing the self-diagnosis test, and a booting program for performing the booting operation. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit, And use the storage unit as a cache memory of the auxiliary storage device of the computer system. The method of claim 1, wherein the memory area, And a BIOS area storing the self-diagnostic program and the boot program, a cache memory area used as the cache memory, and a data area storing general data. The method of claim 2, wherein the memory area, And a BIOS area storing the self-diagnostic program and the boot program, a security area storing the authentication information, a cache memory area used as the cache memory, and a data area storing general data. The bios area according to claim 4 or 5, And an update program for updating the self-diagnosis program and the boot program. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage unit, And a controller for controlling the memory area according to a control operation of the controller. The method of claim 7, wherein the controller, And control only the self-diagnosis program, the boot program, and the update program to be stored in the BIOS area. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage unit, And an expansion module detachable from the control unit. The method of claim 9, wherein the control unit and the storage unit, A system management bus or a universal serial bus for transmitting and receiving the self-diagnosis program and the booting program before the booting operation is terminated; And a PC-I Express Bus for transmitting and receiving data and programs after the booting operation is completed. The method of claim 9, wherein the expansion module, Memory control device, characterized in that the mini-card or express card. The method of claim 2, wherein the authentication information, And at least one of a serial number, a user ID, and a password of the storage unit and the system. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage unit, And a NAND flash memory. Setting / storing a self-diagnosis program and a boot program in a predetermined memory area of the storage unit; Checking whether the storage unit is connected; And performing a self-diagnosis test and a booting operation using the storage unit. Setting / storing a self-diagnosis program, a boot program, and authentication information in a predetermined memory area of the storage unit; Checking whether the storage unit is connected; Performing an authentication process based on the authentication information; And when the authentication process is completed, performing a self-diagnosis test and a booting operation using the storage unit. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the storage unit, When the boot operation is completed, the memory control method, characterized in that used as a cache memory of the auxiliary memory device. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the confirmation whether the storage unit is connected, The control method of the memory, characterized in that performed by the control unit using a predetermined connection bus to connect with the storage unit after the hardware / software reset. The method of claim 17, wherein the control unit, Memory control, characterized in that to check whether the storage unit is connected using a system management bus (SMbus) or universal serial bus (USB), and to request and receive the self-diagnostic program, boot program and authentication information to the storage unit Way. The method of claim 18, wherein the control unit, And when the storage unit is used as the cache memory, transmitting and receiving data and a program through a PCI express bus. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the storage unit, The memory control method, characterized in that the NAND flash memory of the mini-card or express card type detachable to the express card slot. The method according to claim 14 or 15, And periodically updating / storing the self-diagnosis program and the booting program by an update program. The method of claim 21, And the self-diagnosis program, the boot program, and the update program are stored only in a predetermined memory area. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the predetermined memory area, And only the self-diagnosis program and the booting program are stored. The method of claim 15, wherein the authentication information, And at least one of a serial number of the storage unit and the system, a user ID and a password.

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