Method for network restart
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a processor to execute instructions;
a memory and a cache to store the instructions;
a network interface controller to couple to a network, wherein the network interface controller receives a packet from the network and stores the packet in the cache; and
a chipset, wherein the chipset instructs the network interface controller to retrieve a remote boot image from the network in at least one of the following cases;
where no local boot image exists;
where the local boot image is corrupt;
or where the local boot image executes but fails to complete within a predetermined time period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for restarting a processor-based system is disclosed. The basic input/output system (BIOS) firmware for performing the restart may or may not reside on the processor-based system. Where the local BIOS firmware is corrupt or not present, remote BIOS firmware is loaded into the processor cache by a specialized network interface card. The network interface card includes direct cache access (DCA) functionality, enabling it to store packets retrieved from the network directly into the processor cache, for faster processing. Remote downloading of the BIOS firmware from the network solves on-platform flash corruption within the processor-based system without costly board rework. Other benefits include mitigating the misappropriation of BIOS and chipset intellectual property, improved restart performance of the processor-based system, as well as improvement in chipset validation. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a processor to execute instructions;
a memory and a cache to store the instructions;
a network interface controller to couple to a network, wherein the network interface controller receives a packet from the network and stores the packet in the cache; and
a chipset, wherein the chipset instructs the network interface controller to retrieve a remote boot image from the network in at least one of the following cases;
where no local boot image exists;
where the local boot image is corrupt;
orwhere the local boot image executes but fails to complete within a predetermined time period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method, comprising:
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performing a built-in-self test by a processor, the processor residing in a system;
retrieving a remote boot image by a network interface controller coupling the system to a network, the network interface controller having direct cache access capability, wherein the remote boot image is stored in a cache of the system once retrieved; and
executing the remote boot image from the cache. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system, comprising:
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a network interface controller to couple a processor in the system to a network, wherein the network interface controller is direct cache access-capable; and
a cache coupled to the processor, wherein the cache stores instructions and data, the cache operating at a speed faster than a memory;
wherein the network interface controller retrieves a boot image from the network, stores the boot image in the cache, and the processor executes at least part of the boot image during power-on of the system. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. An article comprising a medium storing instructions to enable a processor-based system to:
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perform a built-in-self test by a processor, the processor residing in a system;
retrieve a remote boot image by a network interface controller coupling the system to a network, the network interface controller having direct cache access capability, wherein the remote boot image is stored in a cache of the system once retrieved; and
execute the remote boot image from the cache. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification