Abstract: Technologies are disclosed herein that allow for utilization of firmware specific data through an Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) Firmware Identification (FID) table in a computing system. The ACPI FID table can be loaded during a boot of a computer system. The ACPI FID table can be read after an operating system has been loaded on the computer system. Based upon firmware specific data in the ACPI FID table, functionality provided by the application can be restricted. The use of various features provided by the application can be restricted or the application can be restricted from executing entirely. Compatibility between the application and the firmware can be ensured based upon firmware specific data in the ACPI FID table.

Abstract: Technologies are provided for generation of firmware configured to restrict use of a firmware tool. Some embodiments include a computing system that can obtain firmware source code comprising a module configured to copy contents of a digitally signed binary file to an advanced configuration and power management interface (ACPI) table at runtime of a firmware. The computing system can generate a firmware image of the firmware, the firmware image comprising the module, a first firmware globally unique identifier (GUID), and a defined area storing digital content that remains unchanged upon a change to the firmware. The computing system also can obtain a binary file comprising a second firmware GUID, a firmware tool GUID, and a feature GUID, and can digitally sign the binary file using a private encryption key to generate the digitally signed binary file. The computing system can store the digitally signed binary file within the defined area.

Abstract: Technologies are disclosed herein that allow for utilization of firmware specific data through an Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) Firmware Identification (FID) table in a computing system. The ACPI FID table can be loaded during a boot of a computer system. The ACPI FID table can be read after an operating system has been loaded on the computer system. Based upon firmware specific data in the ACPI FID table, functionality provided by the application can be restricted. The use of various features provided by the application can be restricted or the application can be restricted from executing entirely. Compatibility between the application and the firmware can be ensured based upon firmware specific data in the ACPI FID table.

Abstract: A firmware includes a firmware module for copying a digitally signed binary file that includes a firmware globally unique identifier (GUID), tool GUIDs, and feature GUIDs to an Advanced Configuration and Power Management interface (ACPI) table (the Firmware Enabled Tool Registry (FETR) table). If the FETR table is stored in memory, a firmware tool determines whether a digital signature of the signed binary file can be verified. If the digital signature can be verified, the firmware tool determines if the firmware GUID stored in the FETR table matches a firmware GUID stored in another ACPI table. If the firmware GUIDs match, the firmware tool determines whether its tool GUID matches a tool GUID stored in the FETR table. The firmware tool can continue to execute if the tool GUIDs match. Firmware tool features are enabled if feature GUIDs in the FETR table match feature GUIDs of the firmware tool.

Abstract: A firmware development tool generates platform-specific firmware images for a multitude of different computing platforms. A multi-platform firmware image creation tool receives the platform-specific firmware images and generates a multi-platform firmware image therefrom. A portion of the multi-platform firmware image includes firmware files that are common across all of the platform-specific firmware images. Other portions of the multi-platform firmware image include firmware files that are specific to each of the platform-specific firmware images. At boot time of a computer system utilizing the multi-platform firmware image, the platform that the computer system uses is detected. The firmware files that are common across the platform-specific firmware images are then loaded into memory. The firmware files that are specific to the detected platform are also loaded into memory.

Abstract: A firmware includes a firmware module for copying a digitally signed binary file that includes a firmware globally unique identifier (GUID), tool GUIDs, and feature GUIDs to an Advanced Configuration and Power Management interface (ACPI) table (the Firmware Enabled Tool Registry (FETR) table). If the FETR table is stored in memory, a firmware tool determines whether a digital signature of the signed binary file can be verified. If the digital signature can be verified, the firmware tool determines if the firmware GUID stored in the FETR table matches a firmware GUID stored in another ACPI table. If the firmware GUIDs match, the firmware tool determines whether its tool GUID matches a tool GUID stored in the FETR table. The firmware tool can continue to execute if the tool GUIDs match. Firmware tool features are enabled if feature GUIDs in the FETR table match feature GUIDs of the firmware tool.

Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media provide for the creation of basic input/output system (BIOS) components. Embodiments include a component creation wizard that guides a user through the component creation process. The component creation wizard utilizes a project template file that includes templates of the required files for any given component, organized into a folder-based file structure. The component creation wizard searches the folders within the project template file according to project type, component categories, and template categories, as determined by a user, to locate and copy the applicable template files to create a BIOS component template.

Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media provide for the creation of a basic input/output system (BIOS) project. Embodiments include a project creation wizard that guides a user through the project creation process. The project creation wizard utilizes a script file that includes entries corresponding to each category of BIOS component that should be included within a given project. Upon receiving a project type indicator from the user, the project creation wizard locates a corresponding script file and parses through each entry of the script file, systematically utilizing the corresponding information to search for applicable BIOS components and to allow or reject user selections of the located BIOS components according to the data within the script file entry. The BIOS components that are selected according to the script file data are copied to a designated location to create a BIOS project file.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus enabling the use of server-side entry points when providing diagnostics on-demand services are provided. A request is received at a client computer to perform a diagnostic. In response to the request, an entry point is called on a server computer to retrieve a configuration file identifying one or more additional entry points. One of the entry points identified in the configuration file may be called to obtain authorization to download a diagnostics module to perform the requested diagnostic. Another entry point may be provided at the server computer for actually downloading the requested module. An additional entry point may also be called for obtaining a data file containing instructions regarding the installation of the diagnostics module and other configuration data. Another entry point may be utilized to obtain authorization to execute the diagnostics module and to perform the requested diagnostic.

Abstract: A method, system, computer-readable medium, and computer-controlled apparatus are provided for logging and accessing diagnostic result messages. Diagnostic client modules transmit diagnostic result messages to a diagnostic event service module. The diagnostic event service module receives diagnostic result messages from the diagnostic client modules and relays the messages to diagnostic subscriber modules. Diagnostic subscriber modules may comprise a log writer module for storing the messages in a diagnostic results database or a progress viewer module for displaying an indication of the progress of a diagnostic test based on the diagnostic result messages. A query access layer module, a log viewer module, a report tools module, and a report server module may also be provided.

Abstract: An instrumentation data provider module is provided for use within a diagnostics application program. The instrumentation data provider module provides a communication path between legacy, or proprietary, diagnostics modules and a standard instrumentation platform. Through the instrumentation data provider module, diagnostics status messages may be translated into event messages and forwarded to the instrumentation platform. A data consumer module for use within a diagnostics application program is also provided. The instrumentation data consumer module provides a communication path between a presentation layer and an instrumentation platform. Through the data consumer module, a management console or other type of management application can register for and receive events from the instrumentation platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing on-demand computer diagnostics are provided. A control object is retrieved and stored at a client computer that is operative to retrieve a diagnostics module in response to a user request. The control object is also operative to receive a request from a user to execute the diagnostics module and, in response to the request, to determine whether execution of the diagnostics module is authorized. If execution is authorized, the control object is further operational to execute the diagnostics module to perform the requested diagnostic. The diagnostics module may be configured to only execute in response to commands issued by the control object. The control object may also be operative to authorize retrieval and execution of the diagnostics module through communications with a diagnostics server computer.

Abstract: A method and data structures for use in providing diagnostics on-demand services are provided. A data structure is provided that identifies one or more server-side entry points for use by a client computer upon which diagnostics on-demand are to be performed. A data structure is also provided that identifies available diagnostics modules, their component files, and that provides installation instructions for use in retrieving and installing diagnostics modules. A method for providing diagnostics on-demand utilizing the data files is also provided.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for retrieving and executing one or more diagnostics modules together capable of testing a single hardware component within a computer system in direct response to a user request. A request is received to perform a diagnostics test on the component. In response to the request, one or more diagnostics modules necessary to test the component are identified. Once the modules have been identified, the modules are retrieved from a remote server computer and installed at the computer system upon which they are to be executed. The modules are then executed, thereby testing the single hardware component. The retrieved diagnostics modules may contain only program code necessary to test the identified component.

Abstract: A method, system, computer-readable medium, and computer-controlled apparatus are provided for logging and accessing diagnostic result messages. Diagnostic client modules transmit diagnostic result messages to a diagnostic event service module. The diagnostic event service module receives diagnostic result messages from the diagnostic client modules and relays the messages to diagnostic subscriber modules. Diagnostic subscriber modules may comprise a log writer module for storing the messages in a diagnostic results database or a progress viewer module for displaying an indication of the progress of a diagnostic test based on the diagnostic result messages. A query access layer module, a log viewer module, a report tools module, and a report server module may also be provided.

Abstract: An instrumentation data provider module is provided for use within a diagnostics application program. The instrumentation data provider module provides a communication path between legacy, or proprietary, diagnostics modules and a standard instrumentation platform. Through the instrumentation data provider module, diagnostics status messages may be translated into event messages and forwarded to the instrumentation platform. A data consumer module for use within a diagnostics application program is also provided. The instrumentation data consumer module provides a communication path between a presentation layer and an instrumentation platform. Through the data consumer module, a management console or other type of management application can register for and receive events from the instrumentation platform.