Importance

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Abstract

Methods for granting access to a protected area, such as a PARTIES area of a storage device of a computer, after the computer has been booted. A calling process desiring access to the protected area is caused to locate an interface that interfaces between the calling process and system firmware. The calling process is caused to use the interface to create a trusted relationship between the calling process and the system firmware. Various operations may then be performed. In one embodiment, once the trusted relationship is established, access is allowed to a specific service area in the protected area. Data contained within the service area may then be processed. In another embodiment, once the trusted relationship is established, the service areas found in the protected area may be manipulated. In another embodiment, once the trusted relationship is established, the calling process is allowed access to retrieve a directory of service areas in the protected area. The calling process is allowed access to one or more specific service areas in the protected area. Data contained within the service area is processed. In any of the embodiments, the protected area is closed when processing is complete.

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First Claim