BIOS

BIOS Overview

Basic Input Output System (BIOS) is the basic software code loaded to a computer hardware system. As an underlying program of the operating system (OS), BIOS provides a hardware abstraction layer between the computer hardware system and the OS allowing you to configure hardware for running the OS. Figure 2-1 shows the BIOS position in the system.

The BIOS performs power-on self-test (POST), and detects input/output devices and boot devices, including CPU and memory initialization, hardware scanning, boot device identification, and system startup. Currently, servers powered by Kunpeng 920 processors use the serial peripheral interface (SPI) flash memory to store BIOS code.

Huawei Kunpeng 920–based servers use a Huawei proprietary BIOS, which provides a variety of in-band and out-of-band configuration functions as well as high scalability and easy customization.

Figure 2-1 BIOS in the system

BIOS Keyboard Operations

All the BIOS operations are performed on the keyboard. The function keys are displayed on the lower part of the BIOS screen, as shown in Figure 2-2.

Figure 2-2 BIOS keyboard operations

• F1: displays help information.
• Esc: exits the BIOS or returns to the previous screen.
• ↑ or ↓: moves cursors up or down to select parameters.
• ← or →:
  • Moves cursors horizontally to select parameters.
  • Returns to the previous screen or opens the submenu of a parameter.
• - or +: changes the parameter value.
• Enter/Ctrl+M: selects the current parameter or opens the submenu of the current parameter.
• F9: restores default BIOS settings.

  The following information cannot be restored:

  • Date and time information on the Main page
  • BIOS startup logo
  • All parameters (except watchdog parameters) under IPMI iBMC Configuration on the Advanced tab page
  • Password parameters on the Security tab page
• F10: saves the settings and exits.