Automation Suite (Software Solution) to Test Firmware and Intel BIOS

Abstract

Firmware is the combination of persistent memory and program code and data stored in it. Firmware is kept in non-volatile memory such as ROM or flash. It is the software that drives the hardware inside. Software runs on top of the hardware to create a link between OS and hardware. Integrated Firmware Image (IFWI) is a part of software stack which is collection of basic firmware ingredient like security, microcode, BIOS, ISH and GOP which is used to control the complete hardware platform. IFWI is distributed to the customer and then ultimately goes into the final product. Firmware validation is an important part in order to maintain the quality of the product. Manual validation requires lot of human effort and time. Whereas automated validation is an area which can facilitate and simplify validation process. Automated validation is a very challenging area where all test cases are to be automated which can carry out validation process without any human intervention. In order to implement automation suit different technologies such as C programming, Batch scripting and RS232 (UART) programming has been leveraged.