Generic operating system usage in a remote initial program load environment
First Claim
1. A method for booting a client computer, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
- saving a copy of at least one critical system data area;
retrieving a boot image from a server and storing the boot image in memory;
restoring at least one previously saved critical system data area freeing memory to which the copy of at least one critical system data area was saved; and
booting the client computer from the boot image stored in memory.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A data-processing system provides a method for making a “snapshot” of critical system data areas, right after Power-On Self-Test and before the Remote Initial Program Load (RIPL) begins, by saving a copy of these critical system data areas. The RIPL software then retrieves a complete operating system image over a network and places the complete image in memory. The RIPL software then replaces the saved critical system data to create a system state in which the memory in the system includes the same content as it had just after it was booted, which also frees up the system memory and network support used by the RIPL software. The process then passes control to the appropriate location in the operating system image saved in memory so that the computer may continue the booting process.
314 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for booting a client computer, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
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saving a copy of at least one critical system data area;
retrieving a boot image from a server and storing the boot image in memory;
restoring at least one previously saved critical system data area freeing memory to which the copy of at least one critical system data area was saved; and
booting the client computer from the boot image stored in memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A data processing system for booting a client computer, the data processing system comprising:
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saving means for saving a copy of at least one critical system data area;
retrieval means for retrieving a boot image from a server and storing the boot image in memory;
restoration means for restoring at least one previously saved critical system data area;
memory freeing means for freeing memory to which the copy of at least one critical system data area was saved; and
booting means for booting the client computer from the boot image stored in memory. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer program product for use with a data processing system for booting a client computer, the computer program product comprising:
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a computer usable medium;
first instructions for saving a copy of at least one critical system data area;
second instructions for retrieving a boot image from a server and storing the boot image in memory;
third instructions for restoring at least one previously saved critical system data area;
fourth instructions for freeing memory to which the copy of at least one critical system data area was saved; and
fifth instructions for booting the client computer from the boot image stored in memory. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for booting a client computer, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
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retrieving a boot image from a server and storing the boot image in memory;
booting the client computer from the boot image stored in memory; and
establishing a network connection using a predetermined network protocol according to a predetermined preference stored in the boot image.
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Specification