Managed boot process system

• US 10,102,008 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2015
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Hughes, Kevin Allen, Pearce, Jason Garth
• Primary Examiner(s): Abbaszadeh, Jaweed A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Corcoran, Brian J
• Application Number:
  US14/843,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20170060598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4416 Network booting; Remote initial program loading [RIPL]

Abstract

A managed boot process system includes a management device coupled to a networking device through a network. The networking device includes a storage system with an assured boot image, a plurality of runtime images, and a plurality of session data, and a memory system having boot instructions. A processing system in the networking device stores the plurality of session details in the storage system during a management session with the management device and prior to a reboot. The processing system then performs a reboot and executes the boot instructions to load the assured boot image. The networking device then uses the session details to restart the management session without reauthorization subsequent to loading the assured boot image and prior to loading a runtime image. The networking device then provides a graphical user interface over the network to the management device and uses it to receive a management instruction for execution.

Claims

1. A managed boot process system, comprising:

a network;

a management device that is coupled to the network; and

a networking device that is coupled to the network and that includes;

a storage system that includes an assured boot image, a plurality of runtime images, and a plurality of session data, wherein the assured boot image is secured in the storage system such that the assured boot image cannot be modified;

a memory system that includes boot instructions; and

a processing system that is configured to access the memory system to;

store the plurality of session data in the storage system during a management session with the management device and prior to a reboot, wherein the management session is started while one of the plurality of runtime images is operating the networking device;

perform a reboot;

execute the boot instructions to load the assured boot image;

restart the management session without reauthorization using the session data to provide a restarted management session that is persistent with the management session across the reboot, wherein the restarted management session is provided subsequent to loading the assured boot image and during a boot process that is performed prior to loading a runtime image;

provide a graphical user interface over the network to the management device during the restarted management session and prior to the loading of the runtime image;

receive a management instruction through the graphical user interface from the management device during the restarted management session and prior to the loading of the runtime image; and

execute the management instruction during the restarted management session and prior to the loading of the runtime image.

2. The managed boot process system of claim 1, wherein the management instruction includes an instruction to load one of the plurality of runtime images.

3. The managed boot process system of claim 1, wherein processing system is configured to:

receive authentication information for the management session with the management device prior to the reboot; and

authenticate the authentication information and, in response, start the management session.

4. The managed boot process system of claim 1, wherein the session data includes a service state, management services data, and protocol session data saved as a snapshot.

5. The managed boot process system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface enables a management interface including at least one of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Telnet, and Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

6. The managed boot process system of claim 1, wherein the boot instructions are configured, when executed by the processing system, to load the assured boot image directly without user interaction.

7. The managed boot process system of claim 1, wherein the assured boot image includes diagnostic instructions that are executed by the processing system in response to loading the assured boot image.

8. An information handling system (IHS), comprising:

a processing system; and

a memory system that is coupled to the processing system and that includes instructions that, when executed by the processing system, cause the processing system to;

store a plurality of session data during a management session with a management device and prior to a reboot, wherein the management session is started while one of a plurality of runtime images is operating the IHS;

perform a reboot;

execute boot instructions to load an assured boot image that is secured in a storage system such that it cannot be modified;

restart the management session without reauthorization using the session data to provide a restarted management session that is persistent with the management session across the reboot, wherein the restarted management session is provided subsequent to loading the assured boot image and during a boot process that is performed prior to loading one of the plurality of runtime images;

provide a graphical user interface to the management device during the restarted management session and prior to the loading of the runtime image;

receive a management instruction through the graphical user interface from the management device during the restarted management session and prior to the loading of the runtime image; and

execute the management instruction during the restarted management session and prior to the loading of the runtime image.

9. The IHS of claim 8, wherein the management instruction includes an instruction to load a first runtime image.

10. The IHS of claim 8, wherein processing system is configured to:

receive authentication information for the management session with the management device prior to the reboot; and

authenticate the authentication information and, in response, start the management session.

11. The IHS of claim 8, wherein the graphical user interface enables a management interface including at least one of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Telnet, and Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

12. The IHS of claim 8, wherein the boot instructions, when executed by the processing system, cause the processing system to load the assured boot image directly without user interaction.

13. The IHS of claim 8, wherein the assured boot image includes diagnostic instructions that are executed by the processing system in response to loading the assured boot image.

14. A method for management during a boot process, comprising:

storing, by a networking device, a plurality of session data during a management session with a management device and prior to a reboot, wherein the management session is started one of a plurality of runtime images is operating the networking device;

performing, by the networking device, a reboot;

executing, by the networking device, boot instructions to load an assured boot image, wherein the assured boot image is secured in a storage system such that it cannot be modified;

restarting, by the networking device, the management session without reauthorization using the session data to provide a restarted management session that is persistent with the management session across the reboot, wherein the restarted management session is provided subsequent to loading the assured boot image and during a boot process that is performed prior to loading a runtime image;

providing, by the networking device, a graphical user interface to the management device during the restarted management session and prior to the loading of the runtime image;

receiving, by the networking device, a management instruction through the graphical user interface from the management device during the restarted management session and prior to the loading of the runtime image; and

executing, by the networking device, the management instructions during the restarted management session and prior to the loading of the runtime image.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the management instruction includes an instruction to load a first runtime image.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving, by the networking device, authentication information for the management session with the management device prior to the reboot; and

authenticating, by the network device, the authentication information and, in response, start the management session.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the session data includes a service state, management services data, and protocol session data saved as a snapshot.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the graphical user interface enables a management interface including at least one of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Telnet, and Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the boot instructions, when executed by a processing system included with the networking device, cause the processing system to load the assured boot image directly without user interaction.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the assured boot image includes diagnostic instructions that are executed by a processing system in response to loading the assured boot image.