Method and apparatus for remote ROM flashing and security management for a computer system
US6223284A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 24, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2211/1097
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A remote flash ROM and security package is formed and delivered to a system ROM of a target computer system for remote flashing of the ROM and remote configuration of security settings for the computer system. The remote flash ROM and security package includes flash ROM and security control code for calling a remote flash and security driver to execute a remote flash or to remotely configure a security setting, a file containing a "signed" ROM image to be flashed to the ROM, a security settings file which preferably is encrypted, and a remote flash and security control container for containing the flash ROM and security code, the ROM image, and the security settings file. The remote flash and security driver may be included in the remote flash ROM and security package or may be resident to the target computer system. In the preferred embodiment, the computer system includes a secure memory device containing an administrator password for locking and unlocking the ROM. The remote flash ROM and security package preferably includes an administrator password matching the administrator password stored in the secure memory device to place the computer system in an administrator mode. A sy…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.