US 9,851,985 B2 · Platform configuration management using a basic input/output system (BIOS)

Abstract

Methods and systems for platform configuration management may use a platform configuration register (PCR) stored on a trusted platform module (TPM) included with an information handling system. A basic input/output system (BIOS) may include instructions to generate a first PCR value based on BIOS settings while a user is operating the BIOS. When the first PCR value indicates a change from a previous PCR value stored in the PCR, an alert may be displayed to the user and sent to a network administrator. The BIOS may display an indication of a mapping of BIOS settings to the first PCR value.

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Drawings

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method for identifying a change in platform configuration register values selected by a user via BIOS user interface comprising:

accessing a mapping of basic input/output system (BIOS) settings to a platform configuration register (PCR) for an information handling system including a trusted platform module (TPM), wherein the BIOS settings are accessible for selection by a user of the information handling system from a BIOS user interface;
during operation of the BIOS user interface by the user and based on the BIOS settings and the mapping, generating a first PCR value indicative of BIOS settings currently selected by the user, the first PCR value corresponding to the PCR;
when the first PCR value indicates a change from a previous PCR value stored in the PCR, displaying a first alert in the BIOS user interface, the first alert indicating that the BIOS settings have changed the first PCR value;
and
when the first alert is displayed, sending a second alert via a network connection to a network administrator for the information handling system to perform an action, the second alert including the first PCR value.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,488 words

Summary391 words

#Field of the Disclosure

#This disclosure relates generally to information handling systems and more particularly to platform configuration management using a basic input/output system (BIOS).

#Description of the Related Art

Brief description of the drawings2 figures

#For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of selected elements of an embodiment of an information handling system for platform configuration management using a BIOS; and

#FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting selected elements of an embodiment of a method for platform configuration management using a BIOS.

Detailed description3,020 words

#In the following description, details are set forth by way of example to facilitate discussion of the disclosed subject matter. It should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the field, however, that the disclosed embodiments are exemplary and not exhaustive of all possible embodiments.

#For the purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include an instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize various forms of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a network storage device, or another suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components or the information handling system may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communication between the various hardware components.

#Additionally, the information handling system may include firmware for controlling and/or communicating with, for example, hard drives, network circuitry, memory devices, I/O devices, and other peripheral devices. As used in this disclosure, firmware includes software embedded in an information handling system component used to perform predefined tasks. Firmware is commonly stored in non-volatile memory, or memory that does not lose stored data upon the loss of power. In certain embodiments, firmware associated with an information handling system component is stored in non-volatile memory that is accessible to one or more information handling system components. In the same or alternative embodiments, firmware associated with an information handling system component is stored in non-volatile memory that is dedicated to and comprises part of that component.

Facts

Application

14/504,218Filed 1 Oct 2014

Published

US 2016/0098283 A17 Apr 2016

Granted

26 Dec 2017

Term ends

15 Aug 2035

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 318 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification2 codes

G06F 9/44505
Program loading or initiating: configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files
G06F
Computing and data processing

Timeline

1 Oct 2014Application filedUS 14/504,218
1 Oct 2014Assigned to Dell Products L.P.assignment of assignor's interest
10 Dec 2014Assigned to Bank of America, N.A., AS Administrative Agentsupplement to patent security agreement (abl)
10 Dec 2014Assigned to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., AS Notes Collateral Agentsupplement to patent security agreement (notes)
10 Dec 2014Assigned to Bank of America, N.A., AS Collateral Agentsupplement to patent security agreement (term loan)
7 Apr 2016PublishedUS 2016/0098283 A1
13 Sep 2016Assigned to Dell Products L.P.release of reel 034590 frame 0696 (abl)
14 Sep 2016Assigned to Dell Products L.P.release of reel 034590 frame 0731 (note)
14 Sep 2016Assigned to Dell Products L.P.release of reel 034591 frame 0391 (tl)
21 Sep 2016Assigned to Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, AS Collateral Agentsecurity agreement
21 Sep 2016Assigned to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., AS Notes Collateral Agentsecurity agreement
26 Dec 2017GrantedUS 9,851,985 B2
21 Mar 2019Assigned to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.security agreement
22 Apr 2020Assigned to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.security agreement
3 Nov 2021Assigned to Asap Software Express, Inc., Aventail LLC, Credant Technologies, Inc., Dell USA L.P., Dell International, L.L.C., Dell Marketing L.P., Dell Products L.P., Dell Software Inc., Dell Systems Corporation, Emc Corporation, Emc IP Holding Company LLC, Force10 Networks, Inc., Maginatics LLC, Mozy, Inc., Scaleio LLC, Wyse Technology L.L.C.release of security interest
26 Apr 2022Assigned to Dell Marketing Corporation (Successor-In-Interest To Asap Software Express, Inc.), Dell Marketing L.P. (On Behalf of Itself and AS Successor-In-Interest To Credant Technologies, Inc.), Dell USA L.P., Dell International L.L.C., Dell Products L.P., Dell Marketing Corporation (Successor-In-Interest To Force10 Networks, Inc. and Wyse Technology L.L.C.), Emc Corporation (On Behalf of Itself and AS Successor-In-Interest To Maginatics LLC), Emc IP Holding Company LLC (On Behalf of Itself and AS Successor-In-Interest To Mozy, Inc.), Scaleio LLCrelease of security interest in patents previously recorded at reel/frame (040136/0001)
20 May 2022Assigned to Dell Marketing Corporation (Successor-In-Interest To Asap Software Express, Inc.), Dell Marketing L.P. (On Behalf of Itself and AS Successor-In-Interest To Credant Technologies, Inc.), Dell USA L.P., Dell International L.L.C., Dell Products L.P., Dell Marketing Corporation (Successor-In-Interest To Force10 Networks, Inc. and Wyse Technology L.L.C.), Emc Corporation (On Behalf of Itself and AS Successor-In-Interest To Maginatics LLC), Emc IP Holding Company LLC (On Behalf of Itself and AS Successor-In-Interest To Mozy, Inc.), Scaleio LLCrelease of security interest in patents previously recorded at reel/frame (045455/0001)
23 Jun 2022Assigned to Dell Marketing L.P. (On Behalf of Itself and AS Successor-In-Interest To Credant Technologies, Inc.), Dell International L.L.C., Dell Products L.P., Dell USA L.P., Emc Corporation, Dell Marketing Corporation (Successor-In-Interest To Force10 Networks, Inc. and Wyse Technology L.L.C.), Emc IP Holding Company LLCrelease of security interest in patents previously recorded at reel/frame (053546/0001)
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
15 Aug 2035Term endsEstimated, includes 318 days of adjustment

Platform configuration management using a basic input/output system (BIOS)

Life of this patent

Platform configuration management using a basic input/output system (BIOS)

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims18

Description3,488 words

Drawings

Classification2 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,488 words