Abstract: A microcode (uCode) hot-upgrade method for bare metal cloud deployment and associated apparatus. The uCode hot-upgrade method applies a uCode patch to a firmware storage device (e.g., BIOS SPI flash) through an out-of-band controller (e.g., baseboard management controller (BMC)). In conjunction with receiving a uCode patch, a uCode upgrade interrupt service is triggered to upgrade uCode for one or more CPUs in a bare-metal cloud platform during runtime of a tenant host operating system (OS) using an out-of-bound process. This innovation enables cloud service providers to deploy uCode hot-patches to bare metal servers for persistent storage and live-patch without touching the tenant operating system environment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing non-maskable interrupt source information. For example, one embodiment of a processor comprises: a plurality of cores comprising execution circuitry to execute instructions and process data; local interrupt circuitry comprising a plurality of registers to store interrupt-related data including non-maskable interrupt (NMI) data related to a first NMI; and non-maskable interrupt (NMI) processing mode selection circuitry, responsive to a request, to select between at least two NMI processing modes to process the first NMI including: a first NMI processing mode in which the plurality of registers are to store first data related to a first NMI, wherein no NMI source information related to a source of the NMI is included in the first data, and a second NMI processing mode in which the plurality of registers are to store both the first data related to the first NMI and second data comprising NMI source information indicating the NMI source.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing non-maskable interrupt source information. For example, one embodiment of a processor comprises: a plurality of cores comprising execution circuitry to execute instructions and process data; local interrupt circuitry comprising a plurality of registers to store interrupt-related data including non-maskable interrupt (NMI) data related to a first NMI; and non-maskable interrupt (NMI) processing mode selection circuitry, responsive to a request, to select between at least two NMI processing modes to process the first NMI including: a first NMI processing mode in which the plurality of registers are to store first data related to a first NMI, wherein no NMI source information related to a source of the NMI is included in the first data, and a second NMI processing mode in which the plurality of registers are to store both the first data related to the first NMI and second data comprising NMI source information indicating the NMI source.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods may provide for technology that stores first hardware related data to a basic input output system (BIOS) memory area and generates a mailbox data structure, wherein the mailbox data structure includes a first identifier-pointer pair associated with the first hardware related data. Additionally, the technology may generate an operating system (OS) interface table, wherein the OS interface table includes a pointer to the mailbox data structure. In one example, the technology also stores second hardware related data to the BIOS memory area at runtime and adds a second identifier-pointer pair to the mailbox data structure at runtime, wherein the second identifier-pointer pair is associated with the second hardware related data.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for supporting machine check functionality with a handler which is implemented in firmware. In an embodiment, a processor executes first firmware code to implement a machine check event (MCE) detector. The MCE detector detects a hardware error of a platform which includes the processor, and generates a call to invoke an MCE handler which the processor implements by executing second firmware code. The MCE handler is called, outside of a software context, to attempt a recovery from the hardware error. The call is performed independent of any system management interrupt being based on the detected hardware error. In another embodiment, another MCE handler of an operating system is conditionally invoked where it is determined that the attempted recovery by the first MCE handler was unsuccessful.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to perform a pseudo-S3 protocol to update firmware and/or activate new firmware with a warm reset are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) to: initiate a pseudo-sleep event in response to identifying a firmware update; and assert a power button event, the power button event to cause an operating system (OS) to prepare to enter into a sleep state; a basic input/output system (BIOS) to: initiate a warm reset in response to the OS preparing to enter the sleep state, the warm reset to update firmware according to the firmware update; and transmit a wake vector to the OS to continue operation.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods may provide technology for managing BIOS modules. The technology may include a boot controller to perform a boot procedure by loading and executing a basic input output system (BIOS) boot module, a setup controller to load and execute a BIOS boot module during runtime (i.e., bypassing reboot) using a changed hardware configuration parameter, and an update controller to load and execute a new or updated BIOS boot module during runtime (i.e., bypassing reboot), where each controller is to operate under direction of an operating system (OS). The technology may perform these BIOS operations within a secure BIOS environment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing non-maskable interrupt source information. For example, one embodiment of a processor comprises: a plurality of cores comprising execution circuitry to execute instructions and process data; local interrupt circuitry comprising a plurality of registers to store interrupt-related data including non-maskable interrupt (NMI) data related to a first NMI; and non-maskable interrupt (NMI) processing mode selection circuitry, responsive to a request, to select between at least two NMI processing modes to process the first NMI including: a first NMI processing mode in which the plurality of registers are to store first data related to a first NMI, wherein no NMI source information related to a source of the NMI is included in the first data, and a second NMI processing mode in which the plurality of registers are to store both the first data related to the first NMI and second data comprising NMI source information indicating the NMI source.

Abstract: An apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a processor. The processor includes a memory controller to read and write from a memory. The memory controller includes error correction coding (ECC) circuitry to correct errors in data read from the memory. The processor includes register space to track read data error information. The processor includes an embedded controller. The processor includes local memory coupled to the embedded controller. The embedded controller is to read the read data error information and store the read data error information in the local memory.

Abstract: There is disclosed in one example a multi-core computing system configured to provide a hot-swappable CPU0, including: a first CPU in a first CPU socket and a second CPU in a second CPU socket; a switch including a first media interface to the first CPU socket and a second media interface to the second CPU socket; and one or more mediums including non-transitory instructions to detect a hot swap event of the first CPU, designate the second CPU as CPU0, determine that a new CPU has replaced the first CPU, operate the switch to communicatively couple the new CPU to a backup initialization code store via the first media interface, initialize the new CPU, and designate the new CPU as CPUN, wherein N?0.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a processor for reverse translation includes a plurality of processing engines (PEs) to execute threads and a reverse translation circuit. The reverse translation circuit is to: determine a target module address of a corrupt portion of a memory module; determine a plurality of system physical address (SPA) addresses associated with the memory module; and for each SPA address in the plurality of SPA addresses, translate the SPA address into a translated module address, and in response to a determination that the translated module address matches the target module address, log the SPA address as a result of a reverse translation of the target module address. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed, including a first set of processor cores including at least one processor core and a second set of processor cores including at least one processor core. The electronic device is configured such that during initialization of the electronic device: the first set of processor cores executes first initialization instructions in a first execution environment, the second set of processor cores executes second initialization instructions in a second execution environment, and the first set and the second set at least one of read or write to a shared register.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for upgradable microcode (uCode) loading and activation in runtime for bare metal deployments that support runtime update of the uCode loading procedure as well as dynamic load of activation procedure(s) specific to uCode patch and activation policy specific to users. The solution provides several advantages, including enabling cloud service providers to hot-patch the uCode through a standalone uCode loader runtime service in BIOS firmware for bare metal deployment without tenant system involvement. The support of runtime update of uCode loading procedures decouples uCode loading logic from uCode loader framework. This removes dependencies on the uCode loader runtime service when needing to update the uCode loading logic.

Abstract: Technologies for secure native code invocation include a computing device having an operating system and a firmware environment. The operating system executes a firmware method in an operating system context using a virtual machine. In response to invoking the firmware method, the operating system invokes a callback to a bridge driver in the operating system context. In response to the callback, the bridge driver invokes a firmware runtime service in the operating system context. The firmware environment executes a native code handler in the operating system context in response to invoking the firmware runtime service. The native code handler may be executed in a de-privileged container. The firmware method may process results data stored in a firmware mailbox by the native code handler, which may include accessing a hardware resource using a firmware operation region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for seamless system management mode (SMM) code injection. A code injection listener is installed in BIOS during booting of the computer system or platform. During operating system (OS) runtime operation a secure execution mode code injection image comprising injected code is received and delivered to the BIOS. The processor execution mode is switched to a secure execution mode such as SMM, and while in the secure execution mode the injected code is accessed and executed on the processor to effect one or more changes such as patching processor microcode, a profile or policy reconfiguration, and a security fix. The solution enables platform changes to be effected during OS runtime without having to reboot the system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing non-maskable interrupt source information. For example, one embodiment of a processor comprises: a plurality of cores comprising execution circuitry to execute instructions and process data; local interrupt circuitry comprising a plurality of registers to store interrupt-related data including non-maskable interrupt (NMI) data related to a first NMI; and non-maskable interrupt (NMI) processing mode selection circuitry, responsive to a request, to select between at least two NMI processing modes to process the first NMI including: a first NMI processing mode in which the plurality of registers are to store first data related to a first NMI, wherein no NMI source information related to a source of the NMI is included in the first data, and a second NMI processing mode in which the plurality of registers are to store both the first data related to the first NMI and second data comprising NMI source information indicating the NMI source.

Abstract: There is disclosed in one example a processor, including: a protected runtime mode (PRM) module to receive a PRM interrupt and to: suspend operation of a software task executing on the processor; save processor state information; place the microprocessor into PRM; access a PRM handler in a designated PRM memory region, wherein the PRM handler comprises a platform specific task; restore the processor state; and resume operation of the software task.

Abstract: A processor includes cores to execute instructions, and circuitry to detect a system management interrupt (SMI) event on the processor, direct an indication of the SMI event to an arbiter on a controller hub, and receive an interrupt signal from the arbiter. The processor also includes an SMI handler to take action in response to the interrupt, and circuitry to communicate the interrupt signal to the cores. The cores include circuitry to pause while the SMI handler responds to the interrupt. The interrupt handler includes circuitry to determine that a second SMI event detected on the processor or controller hub is pending, and to take action in response. The interrupt handler includes circuitry to set an end-of-SMI bit to indicate that the interrupt handler has completed its actions. The controller includes circuitry to prevent the arbiter from issuing another interrupt to the processor while this bit is false.

Abstract: A processor of an aspect includes a decode unit to decode a read from memory instruction. The read from memory instruction is to indicate a source memory operand and a destination storage location. The processor also includes an execution unit coupled with the decode unit. The execution unit, in response to the read from memory instruction, is to read data from the source memory operand, store an indication of defective data in an architecturally visible storage location, when the data is defective, and complete execution of the read from memory instruction without causing an exceptional condition, when the data is defective. Other processors, methods, systems, and instructions are disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed in one example a multi-core computing system configured to provide a hot-swappable CPU0, including: a first CPU in a first CPU socket and a second CPU in a second CPU socket; a switch including a first media interface to the first CPU socket and a second media interface to the second CPU socket; and one or more mediums including non-transitory instructions to detect a hot swap event of the first CPU, designate the second CPU as CPU0, determine that a new CPU has replaced the first CPU, operate the switch to communicatively couple the new CPU to a backup initialization code store via the first media interface, initialize the new CPU, and designate the new CPU as CPUN, wherein N?0.