4.2.14 Store Configuration Data with Device

The configuration for a UEFI driver should be stored on the same field replaceable unit (FRU) as the managed device. If a UEFI driver is stored on the motherboard, then the driver's configuration information can be stored in UEFI variables. If a UEFI driver is stored in an add-in card, then the driver's configuration information should be stored in the NVRAM provided on the add-in card.

4.2.14.1 Benefits

This method ensures that it is possible to statically determine the maximum configuration storage that is required for the FRU during FRU design. In particular, if option cards stored their configuration in UEFI variables, the amount of variable storage could not be statically calculated because it generally is not possible to know the particular set of option cards installed in a system ahead of time. The result would be that add-in cards could not be used in otherwise functional systems due to lack of UEFI variable storage space.

Storing configuration data in the same FRU as the device reduces the amount of stale data left in UEFI variables. If an option card stored its data in UEFI variables and was then removed, there would be no automatic cleanup mechanism to purge the UEFI variables associated with that card.

Storing configuration data in the same FRU as the device also ensures that the configuration stays with the FRU. It enables centralized configuration of add-in cards. For example, if an IT department is configuring 50 like systems, it can configure all 50 in the same system and then disburse them to the systems, rather than configuring each system separately. It can also maintain preconfigured spares.