Techniques for restricted deployment of targeted processor firmware updates
US12229269B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2020 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 20, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/033
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for restricted deployment of targeted processor firmware updates. During a patch enabling per-work flow, service entitlement license information comprising one of more service entitlements is generated and provisioned on one or more computing platforms. A restricted deployment microcode (uCode) update release (aka uCode patch) targeted for platforms having CPUs and/or XPUs with certain part identifier is sent to the one or more platforms. Run-time software and/or firmware on the platforms are executed to access the provisioned service entitlement license information, which is used to authentic and verify the restricted deployment uCode update release using a service entitlement having a part identifier associated with the platform's CPU. In one solution, authentication is performed using a hash-matching scheme and verification is used to verify the platform is properly licensed to load uCode included in the restricted deployment microcode (uCode) update release into the CPU.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.