Create OEM Default Map (AN08)

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Affected Products All congatec x86 Products with BIOS

Preface

This application note describes with examples how to create an OEM Default Settings Map module using the congatec System Utility.

The names "CMOS Default Map” and "CMOS Backup Map” refer to the old legacy BIOS. With the new UEFI firmware, these names are not used anymore because UEFI does not use the CMOS RAM in the RTC to store the system configuration. Therefore, congatec System Utility revision 1.5.7 and later refer to "Current Settings Map” instead of "CMOS Backup Map” and "Default Settings Map” instead of "CMOS Default Map”.

Terminology

Term Description
BIOS Basic Input Output System. BIOS is actually firmware, the software that is programmed into a ROM (Read-Only Memory) chip built onto the motherboard of a computer
UEFI Unified Extensible Firmware Interface is a specification that defines a software interface between an operating system and platform firmware. UEFI is meant as a replacement for the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) firmware interface.
Flash A special type of EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Read Only Memory) that can be erased and reprogrammed in blocks instead of one byte at a time. Many modern PCs have their BIOS stored on a flash memory chip so that it can easily be updated if necessary.
POST Power-on Self Test - a diagnostic testing sequence run by a computer’s BIOS as the computer’s power is initially turned on. The POST will determine if the computer’s RAM, disk drives, peripheral devices and other hardware components are properly working.
CGUTIL congatec System Utility – universal tool for BIOS updates and BIOS modifications.
CGOS congatec Operating System API – software driver for the congatec Embedded Features
ME Management Engine (Intel specific controller and firmware offering additional features)
COM Computer-on-module
dTPM Discrete TPM chip
fTPM Firmware TPM
PTT Platform Trust Technology (Intel firmware TPM solution in the Intel ME)

Introduction

The following sections describe how to create an OEM Default Settings Map module within the BIOS module using the congatec System Utility. It is compatible to all congatec x86 products and available as a Windows (CGUTIL GUI) application and a command line (CGUTLCMD) application.

The second section describes how to Creating and adding a OEM Default Setting Map using CGUTIL GUI based on the Windows GUI version. The third section describes Creating and Adding an OEM Default Settings Map Using CGUTIL based on the command line version. The fourth section explains Creating and Adding an OEM Default Settings Map Using CGUTIL CMD and GUI. Section five focuses on Limitations / Exceptions of the OEM Default Settings Map.

The target system consists of conga-TS170 COM and BIOS ROM file "BHSLR123.BIN”. The initial production BIOS is identified as BHSLR1xx:

  • BHSL is the congatec internal project name
  • R is the identifier for a BIOS ROM file
  • 1 is the type descriptor for a production BIOS
  • xx is the revision number

The congatec Embedded BIOS employs a security feature that prevents a password protected BIOS from being overwritten.

To understand which settings are required in the congatec Embedded BIOS to enable the security feature and how the congatec System Utility (CGUTIL) can be used with a protected BIOS, see the application note BIOS Update and Write Protection (AN05). It can be downloaded from the congatec website at www.congatec.com For detailed information about the congatec System Utility, refer to the user's guide. It can be downloaded from the congatec website as well.


Note:

Generate the “Current Settings Map” via the BIOS setup menu before starting an external boot loader or the UEFI shell . Press the DEL key during power on self test to enter the BIOS setup menu If the BIOS setup menu is entered after starting an external boot loader or the UEFI shell, it is not possible to generate the “Current Settings Map”

Creating and adding a OEM Default Setting Map using CGUTIL GUI (Windows version)

The method described below is useful for evaluating and testing the OEM customization feature offered by the congatec System Utility. On the target system, you can immediately check the BIOS setup changes.

  1. Enter the BIOS Setup Program of your congatec CPU board.
  2. Select the settings required for your OEM specific Default Settings Map. A Current Setting Map will be automatically generated and written to the BIOS flash chip when saving the BIOS setup configuration before exiting setup.

Note:

The OEM maps are specific to BIOS revisions. A created OEM map can only be used on the BIOS revision it is derived from. It cannot be integrated into another BIOS revision.

  2. Boot Microsoft Windows
  3. To install the congatec System Utility, refer to the congatec System Utility user's guide.
  4. Start the congatec System Utility
  5. Select "Board (CGOS)" to modify the onboard BIOS of your running system.
  6. Click "BIOS Module Modification".
Create OEM Default Map (Ergänzung).png
  2. Click "Current Setup Settings" in the "Current BIOS Modules" section.
  3. Click "Save Module To File" button.
Create OEM Default Map (Ergänzung1).png
  2. Enter a name for the Current Setup Settings Map (in this example "BHSLR123_CurrentSettings.mod") and click "Save". Later on, this map will also be implemented into your OEM BIOS binary file.
Create OEM Default Map (Ergänzung2).png
  2. Click "Create Module" button to create an OEM Default Settings Map from your Current Settings Map.
Create OEM Default Map (Ergänzung3).png
  2. The "Select Input Data File" window appears. Click the previously saved backup file (in this example “BHSLR123_CurrentSettings.mod”) and then click “Open”.
Create OEM Default Map (Ergänzung4).png
  2. Make sure to change the “Module Type” to “Default Setup Settings” and keep the “Module ID” set at 0000h (default) before clicking the “Create Module” button again to generate the new module.
Create OEM Default Map (Ergänzung5).png
  2. Save the created Default Settings Map (in this example “BHSLR123_DefaultSettings.mod”). Later on, this map will be implemented into your OEM BIOS binary file.
Create OEM Default Map (Ergänzung6).png
  2. Click "Add Module" in the "BIOS Module Modification" window to add the Default Settings Map Module (in this example “BHSLR123_DefaultSettings.mod”).
Create OEM Default Map (Ergänzung7).png
  2. Click the previously saved Default Settings Map from step 14 (in this example “BHSLR123_DefaultSettings.mod”) and then click “Open”.
Create OEM Default Map (Ergänzung8).png
  2. The Default Settings Map appears in the “Current BIOS Modules” module window. Name your OEM BIOS Version (in this example “BHSLOEM1”). This name is shown in the BIOS Setup Program below the congatec BIOS version.
  3. Click "Apply" to confirm your changes.
Create OEM Default Map (Ergänzung9).png

Caution:

An incorrect setting may damage your onboard BIOS file which could lead to a problem. In worst case, the board may no longer be bootable. A safe alternative way would be to switch to a host PC system and do the necessary changes in a BIOS binary file separately.


Note:

If the “Current Setup Settings module is not visible in the “Current BIOS Modules” window as i n the picture above ), add the module created in step 10 with your desired default settings. If a “Current Setup Settings module is displayed with the wrong default settings, overwrite it with the correct module.

  2. Click the “ button to close the “ BIOS Module Modification” window.
BIOS Module mod..png

Caution:

Do not save the BIOS of the target module to a file to use for mass production of additional modules. For the purpose of generating a mass production BIOS, you should always work in file mode. UEFI based BIOS binaries might not work correctly following this procedure. Always work on a BIOS binary file as explained in chapter 4 when a new BIOS file must be created.



Note:

For more information about how to update the BIOS file, see application BIOS Update (AN01). This application note can be downloaded from the congatec website.

Creating and Adding an OEM Default Settings Map Using CGUTIL Command Line Version

The method described here is helpful for updating the congatec BIOS on the production line using the command lines from step 6 and 7 in a simple batch script. This example explains the procedure in DOS. The command line version of CGUTIL works the same way in Linux and the EFI shell. All example names used in the steps below may be changed. Only the DOS naming convention of an 8 character name and 3 character extension, separated by a dot, must be adhered to.

  1. Enter the BIOS Setup of your congatec CPU board and select the settings required for your OEM specific Default Settings Map.
  2. Press the <F10> key or "Save and Exit” to save the BIOS settings. A Current Settings Map will be automatically generated and written to the BIOS flash .
  3. Reset your computer and start DOS.
  4. Switch to the "congatec System Utility" folder.
Enter the command below to save the Current Settings Map created in step 2. You may change the name "BHSLCSM.mod"
cgutlcmd module /ot:board /save /of:BHSLCSM.mod /t:1
  2. Enter the command below to create an OEM Default Settings Map. You may change the parameter "/of:"/ (in this example "BHSLDSM") with its default extension ".mod". Use the selected Current Settings Map name from the previous step in this example "BHSLCSM.mod") after parameter "/if:"
cgutlcmd module /ot:board /create /if:BHSLCSM.mod /of:BHSLDSM.mod /t:2
  2. Enter the command below to add the newly created OEM Default Settings Map to your BIOS. Use the name of the parameter "/if:" from the previous step (in this example "BHSLDSM.mod")
cgutlcmd module /ot:board /add /if:BHSLDSM.mod


Note:

The default settings maps are specific to BIOS revisions. A created map can only be used on the BIOS revision it is derived from. It can not be used to flash another BIOS revision. For further information about your system BIOS, please refer to the appropriate user's guide, which can be found on the congatec website.

  2. Use the command below to assign a customized OEM BIOS name to the modified BIOS. This OEM name will be shown in the main page of the BIOS setup below the congatec standard BIOS name. You may change the name "BHSLOEM1"
cgutlcmd module /ot:board /OEM:BHSLOEM1

The screen shot below shows how the commands above are executed in the EFI shell

Cgutlcmd module -ot-board -OEM- BHSL OEM 1 execution.png

Note:

The same method (steps 1-7) can also be applied to a BIOS file, which may later be used to program other modules.
In the commands of steps 6 and 7 , replace ‘board’ with the specific BIOS file.
Example:

  • cgutlcmd module /ot:board /save /of:BHSLCSM.mod /t:1
  • cgutlcmd module /ot:board /create /if:BHSLCSM.mod /of:BHSLDSM.mod /t:2
  • cgutlcmd module /ot:BHSLR123.bin /add /if:BHSLDSM.mod
  • cgutlcmd module /ot:BHSLR123.bin /OEM:BHSLOEM1
  • mv BHSLR123.bin BHSLTEST.bin

The last command renames the modified BIOS file for easier identification later

Creating and Adding an OEM Default Settings Map Using CGUTIL CMD and GUI

The easiest way to customize a BIOS with an OEM Default Settings Map is to use the command line version CGUTLCMD on the target system first and then switch to a development PC running the Windows GUI version of CGUTIL in "File Mode".

The method described here is typically used to build a customized OEM BIOS binary file that can then be flashed on additional congatec CPU boards

The first five steps are almost identical to the method described in section about Creating and Adding an OEM Default Settings Map Using CGUTIL CMD and GUI.

  1. Enter the BIOS Setup of your congatec CPU board and select the settings required for your OEM specific Default Settings Map. For further information about your system BIOS, please refer to the appropriate user's guide, which can be found at www.congatec.com
  2. Press the <F10> key or "Save and Exit” to save the BIOS settings. A Current Settings Map will be automatically generated and written to the BIOS flash.
  3. Reset your computer and start DOS or the EFI shell (typically from a USB stick).
  4. Switch to "congatec System Utility” folder.
  5. Enter the command below to save the Current Settings Map created in step 2. You may change the name "BHSLCSM.mod"
    cgutlcmd module /ot:board /save /of:BHSLCSM.mod /t:1
  6. Switch to your Windows based development PC and start the congatec System Utility "CGUTIL.exe".
  7. Select "BIOS File" to modify the original congatec BIOS binary file.
  8. Click "Select Input BIOS ROM File".
Select Input BIOS ROM file.png
  2. Load the BIOS binary you want to modify (in this example "BHSLR123.bin").
B HSL R 123 .bin.png
  2. Click "Select original / Create new BIOS file" in order to create your new OEM BIOS binary file as shown in the pop-up menu below.
Selec t original - Create new BIOS file”.png
  2. Name your OEM BIOS file (in this example "BHSLOEM1.BIN") and click "Save".
BHSLOEM1.BIN“) and click "Save".png
  2. Click the "BIOS Module Modification" button to open the window pictured below. You will see that neither a Current Settings map nor a Default Settings map is present in the congatec standard BIOS binary.
Click the “BIOS Module Modification” button to open the window pictured below. You.png
  2. Create the OEM Default Settings Map as described in steps 11 to 14 in CHAPTER 2. In this example, the file name of the Current Settings Map is "BHSLCSM.mod" and for the Default Settings Map "BHSLDSM.mod". You must copy the Current Settings Map file from your USB stick beforehand.
  4. Click the “Add Module” button in the “BIOS Module Modification” window to add the Default Settings Map Module (in this example "BHSLDSM.mod"). Then, also add the Current Settings Map Module (in this example "BHSLCSM.mod") created earlier in DOS or the EFI shell to the new BIOS.
BHSLCS M .mod example.png
  2. Assign your OEM name to the BIOS
  3. Save the new BIOS file by clicking the "Apply" button.
  4. Click "Close" to close CGUTIL
Create OEM Default Map (Ergänzung16).png
  2. The new "BHSLOEM1.BIN" BIOS binary file can now be flashed on additional congatec products.

Note:

It is assumed that a new OEM BIOS should not only load the OEM default settings when the Load Default command is executed in BIOS Setup (F9), it should also start with these settings on the first boot after the OEM BIOS has been flashed. That is why the same settings are also added as Current Settings Map.

Limitations / Exceptions

The setup settings described in this section cannot be modified with an OEM default map. These settings are handled differently by the UEFI firmware for security reasons.

BIOS Password

It is not possible to assign a default password in an OEM default map. To assign a default password, use the OEM backup map or set the password manually in the BIOS setup menu. After a password is assigned, you cannot revert or set it back to default by pressing F9 key to load default settings. The password can only be changed manually in the BIOS setup menu.


Note:

Only a customized source code BIOS with a defined default password can restore the password when loading defaults (F9) in BIOS setup.

Secure Boot

The most important variables for Secure Boot are the Platform Key (PK), the Key Exchange Key (KEK) and the database of authorized boot loaders (DB). For security reasons, these variables cannot be handled by CGUTIL OEM default and backup maps. That is why Secure Boot always requires source code OEM BIOS development.


Note:

Refer to the application note Secure Boot BIOS Customization (AN39) on the congatec website or contact your local congatec FAE.

Trusted Computing (TPM Support)

The setup option to enable TPM support can also not be assigned a default with an OEM default map. Like the BIOS password, it can be customized using an OEM backup map. All other TPM settings in the Trusted Computing submenu are fully supported by OEM default and backup maps.

On Intel platforms that support PTT (fTPM), the initial power-on setting for the TPM Device Selection (PTT vs. dTPM) is hard coded in the Intel ME firmware. An OEM backup map cannot change this setting. However, it is possible to customize the default setting for TPM Device Selection in an OEM Default map.


Note:

For PTT support, an Intel ME enabled BIOS (R7xy) is required.

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