Intel Corporation
METHOD DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR UPGRADABLE MICROCODE (UCODE) LOADING AND ACTIVATION IN RUNTIME FOR BARE METAL DEPLOYMENT

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.