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Firmware and BIOS

Firmware is permanent software stored in non-volatile memory that controls and monitors hardware systems, such as traffic lights and mobile phones. BIOS and UEFI are types of firmware, with BIOS performing basic system checks and booting the operating system, while UEFI, introduced in 2014, offers advanced features like support for larger disks and remote diagnostics. UEFI replaces BIOS by using a GUID Partition Table instead of a Master Boot Record.

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Valery Taustsiakou
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26 views7 pages

Firmware and BIOS

Firmware is permanent software stored in non-volatile memory that controls and monitors hardware systems, such as traffic lights and mobile phones. BIOS and UEFI are types of firmware, with BIOS performing basic system checks and booting the operating system, while UEFI, introduced in 2014, offers advanced features like support for larger disks and remote diagnostics. UEFI replaces BIOS by using a GUID Partition Table instead of a Master Boot Record.

Uploaded by

Valery Taustsiakou
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

FIRMWARE

FIRMWARE

• Permanent software programmed/configured into a read-only (non-volatile) memory.


• ROM/Flash memory (can now be updated e.g. update phone antenna to 4G)

• Does not run on a CPU (hence not software)


• Software runs on a reprogrammable device (Turing machine)
• Firmware is a type of software that provides control, monitoring and data
manipulation of engineered products and systems.
• E.g. traffic lights, consumer appliances, computers, mobile phones, and digital cameras, ABS on
vehicles

• Lots of hacking involves reprogramming firmware


BIOS (BASIC INPUT/OUTPUT SYSTEM)

FUNCTIONS:
• BIOS Drivers
• Access and set-up computer system at most basic level
• Power-on Self Test (POST)
• checks RAM, keyboard, other basic devices
• Determines boot device
• Locates and loads OS into RAM from non-volatile memory
• By reading the Master Boot Record
• BIOS resides in Flash memory
• Sits on the motherboard – often motherboard specific
• Can configure time, date and password
UEFI (UNIFIED EXTENSIBLE FIRMWARE INTERFACE)

• Successor to BIOS since 2014


• No Master Boot Record
• Instead -> GUID Partition Table (GUID – Globally Unique Identifiers)
• Spec that defines interface between Operating System (OS) and platform firmware
• Support remote diagnostic and computer repair (even with no OS)
• Pre-OS network capability
• Can boot from large (>2TB) disks
• CPU independent drivers

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