2.2 How to implement features in EDK II

The first column of the table below describes functions a typical driver performs. Column 2 briefly describes how each function is implemented in UEFI and references the chapter in this guide that specifically addresses each issue. This list of driver operations is not exhaustive.

Table 4-Mapping operations to UEFI drivers
Operation Recommended UEFI method
Find devices that the driver supports while the driver is running Do not try to search the handle database specifically. Instead, allow the supported section of the driver binding protocol to do this operation.

The supported section checks to see if the driver supports the device for the specified controller handle. The supported section uses the controller handle along with a partial device path, to check to see if the specific device is supported, and returns supported, already started, or notsupported for each device.
Search devices that the driver supports Use shell applications, such as the dh (dump handle database) command or the drivers shell command.

The dh command returns a list of all devices on the system. The drivers command returns a list of all drivers on the system. With the list of drivers, the dh -d command can be used to list the handles which that driver supports.
Perform DMA Use the DMA-related services from the PCI I/O Protocol. See the PCI driver section (Chapter 18) of this guide.
Access PCI configuration header Always use PCI I/O Protocol services to access the PCI configuration header. Never directly access I/O ports 0xCF8 or 0xCFC.

See the PCI driver section (Chapter 18) of this guide.
Access PCI I/O ports Always use PCI I/O Protocol services to access PCI I/O ports. Never use IN or OUT instructions.

See the PCI driver section (Chapter 18) of this guide.
Access PCI memory Use PCI I/O Protocol services to access PCI memory. Never use pointers to directly access memory-mapped I/O resources on a bus.

See the PCI driver section (Chapter 18) of this guide.
Hardware interrupts EDK II does not support legacy INT type hooking interrupts. Instead, UEFI drivers are expected to either perform block I/O, by which they must complete their I/O operation and poll their devices as required to complete it, or they can create a periodic timer event to get control and check the status of the devices under management.

See the services section (Chapter 5) and the general driver guidelines section (Chapter 4) of this guide for more detail.
Calibrated stalls Do not use hardware devices to perform calibrated stalls. Instead, use the Stall() service for short delays that are typically less than 10 ms. Use one-shot timer events for long delays that are typically greater than 10 ms. Use SetTimer() in conjunction with CreateEvent(), or CreateEventEx(), for longer delays. Do not use the GetTime() service for delays in UEFI drivers. Use it only to retrieve information. See the services section in this guide: Services that UEFI drivers commonly use.
Get keyboard input from user Use the HII interface to accept keyboard input from the user. The HII engine displays forms to the user in which the user can answer questions or provide input. The forms themselves are defined in the VFR standard.

Note that console-related services, such as Simple Text Input Protocol and Simple Text Output Protocol can be replaced with or supplemented by HII functionality and forms.

Note that the Driver Configuration Protocol service is obsolete and has been replaced with HII functionality.
Display text Use the HII interface to display text to the user. The HII engine displays forms to the user and allows querying of the user. The forms themselves are defined by the VFR programming language and IFR specification.

Note that console-related services, such as Simple Text Input Protocol and Simple Text Output Protocol, can be replaced with or supplemented by HII functionality and forms.

Also, note that the Driver Configuration Protocol service is obsolete and has been replaced with HII functionality.

Implement both the Driver Diagnostics Protocol and the Driver Diagnostics2 Protocol. See Chapter 13 of this guide.

UEFI drivers should not try to reprogram a flash device. Typically, a flash device is reprogrammed by a standalone application, such as a UEFI utility.
Prepare controllers for use by an OS The OS-present drivers should not make assumptions about the state of a controller. It should not assume a UEFI driver touched the controller before the OS was booted. If a specific state is required, then the driver can use an Exit Boot Services event to put the controller into the required state. See Chapter 7.