lkml.org 
[lkml]   [2011]   [Feb]   [3]   [last100]   RSS Feed
Views: [wrap][no wrap]   [headers]  [forward] 
 
Messages in this thread
    /
    Date
    From
    SubjectRe: [PATCH 0/2][concept RFC] x86: BIOS-save kernel log to disk upon panic
    Hi!

    > > I think the biggest areas of practical concern would be:
    > >
    > > - Can this mechanism ever, under any circumstance corrupt any real
    > > data, destroy the MBR or do other nasties. Can you think of any
    > > additional fail-safe measures where you could _further robustify
    > > the BIOS calls_ to make sure it can never go to the wrong
    > > sector(s)? I really do not want to think of trusting a BIOS to
    > > _write to my disk_.
    >
    > It's quite unlikely but I wouldn't say it's completely impossible.
    > It's common for ATA controllers to have dual modes of operation - the
    > old IDE compatible interface by emulation which is used by BIOS and
    > older operating systems and newer interface (ahci) to be used by
    > modern OS. Some need to be explicitly switched and some just need to
    > be accessed carefully. If the controller is accessed by bIOS after
    > switched to ahci or commands are in progress via ahci, anything can
    > happen.

    Could we read the log area, first, verify it contains signature, write
    it back?
    Pavel
    --
    (english) http://www.livejournal.com/~pavelmachek
    (cesky, pictures) http://atrey.karlin.mff.cuni.cz/~pavel/picture/horses/blog.html


    \
     
     \ /
      Last update: 2011-02-03 15:39    [W:4.543 / U:0.032 seconds]
    ©2003-2020 Jasper Spaans|hosted at Digital Ocean and TransIP|Read the blog|Advertise on this site