System and method to export pre-boot system access data to be used during operating system runtime

摘要

A system and method for sharing pre-boot data with agents in the operating system (OS) runtime is disclosed. The disclosed system and method provides a means by which one may be able to provide access to firmware data in the OS runtime without assuming the OS provides non-volatile (NV) variable abstractions. The disclosed system and method leverages Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) constructs to achieve the same result for firmware data propagation into the OS runtime. A descriptor table is constructed which describes the location of the system table. The OS application is provided a pointer to the descriptor, which allows it access to firmware (pre-boot) resources.