BIOS - Basic Input/Output System Flashcards
Firmware - embedded software on non-volatile memory
What does BIOS stand for?
Basic Input/Output System - firmware (embedded software) that controls system boot and hardware start-up/initialisation in preparation for the OS to take control.
What is the purpose of the BIOS?
The BIOS is firmware (embedded software) that controls system boot and hardware start-up/initialisation in preparation for the OS to take control.
What does ROM stand for, in CD-ROM, ROM BIOS etc.
Read-Only Memory. Can’t be written to, only read.
What does POST stand for?
Power On Self Test.
Checks to see if you have all the basic functioning components required to boot the system, keyboard, video, memory, etc.
What does UEFI stand for and what is it?
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is a newer BIOS with a defined STANDARD that replaced legacy BIOS and offers more features such as a GUI, faster boot times and better security. It is widely compatible with newer devices.
Before changing a BIOS configuration what must you do?
Make a back up of the original BIOS configuration/take a picture as once changes are made it may not boot properly so you’ll need to revert the settings.
UEFI BIOS is stored in flash memory as opposed to ROM memory (that legacy BIOS was stored in). What huge advantage does this have?
It allows the firmware to be rewritten/reconfigured and updated (FLASHED) to user preferences WITHOUT having to be removed from the motherboard.
What does setting a supervisor password in BIOS do/restrict?
A supervisor password set via BIOS prevents any BIOS changes being made without knowing the password.
What is meant by “flashing” the BIOS?
Updating.
How to reset the BIOS configuration?
Use a “jumper” to connect two pins and short circuit the mobo and this resets the BIOS config.
What is the CMOS battery for?
Nowadays it’s only purpose is to store/maintain date and time if the PC is not connected to a power source.
Used to store legacy BIOS configurations and therefore you could reset the BIOS config. by taking it out and reinserting it onto the motherboard.
What is a TPM on the motherboard?
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) - hardware device that helps encrypt data. Key generator, random number generator.
Has persistent memory with unique keys burned in during production so you can digitally sign data you send with the TPM key to verify that it was sent from a trusted/specific source.
Password protected.
What hardware would you plug into the mobo (if supported) to verify that your PC was the source of data you send by attaching a specific unique key?
Trusted Platform Module is a device you can plug into your MOBO with inbuilt password protected keys that can be used to verify your PC as the source of data you send by attaching the key/s digitally to the data you send.
Hardware Security Module (HSM) purpose built device or adapter card. What is the purpose of it?
Secured storage for servers. Cryptographic accelerators inbuilt so they can handle encryption/decryption which reduces load on other devices/servers.
What hardware/adapter card can you plug into a server/system to generate encryption and decryption keys for increased security and to offload the process from the rest of the system/server?
HSM - Hardware Security Module generates encryption/decryption keys and encrypts/decrypts data thus reducing the load on other components/servers as they don’t have to do this.
