Hotkey for network service boot

• US 6,356,965 B1
• Filed: 09/08/1998
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Broyles, Paul J., James, Don R. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Perveen, Rehana
• Application Number:
  US09/149,336
• Time in Patent Office: 1,281 Days
• Field of Search: 713/1, 713/2, 714/23, 710/104, 709/220-226
• US Class Current: 710/104
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4408 Boot device selection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4416 Network booting; Remote initial program loading [RIPL]

Abstract

A computer system is provided with a dynamically reconfigurable boot order. In one embodiment, the computer comprises a user input device, a nonvolatile memory, a network interface, a boot trigger, and a CPU. The CPU is coupled to the user input device to detect a predetermined key press, coupled to the boot trigger to detect the assertion of a system reset signal, and coupled to the nonvolatile memory to retrieve a system BIOS in response to assertion of the system reset signal. The CPU executes the BIOS to initialize the computer system, and as part of the system initialization, the CPU determines a first target boot-up device. Preferably if the predetermined key has been pressed during the system initialization, the CPU alters the default boot order to select the network interface as the first target boot up device. The network interface is configurable to retrieve an operating system from a network device for the CPU to execute. The disclosed embodiment advantageously provides for reduced system installation and maintenance effort, and thereby lead to reduced costs for owners of computer networks.

Claims

1. A computer system having a dynamically reconfigurable boot order, wherein the computer system comprises:

a user input device;

a nonvolatile memory that stores a BIOS which specifies a first boot order;

a boot trigger configurable to momentarily assert a system reset signal;

a CPU coupled to the boot trigger to detect the assertion of the system reset signal, coupled to the nonvolatile memory to retrieve the BIOS in response to assertion of the system reset signal, and coupled to the user input device to detect one or more key presses,

wherein the CPU determines a second boot order if the predetermined key press is detected, wherein the second boot order is a re-ordering of the first boot order.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the user input device is a keyboard.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined key press is part of a predetermined key-combination.

4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined key press is operation of a function key.

5. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined key press is operation of a function key labeled F12.

6. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the boot trigger is a power switch.

7. A computer system having a dynamically reconfigurable boot order, wherein the computer system comprises:

a user input device;

a nonvolatile memory that stores a BIOS;

a network interface configurable to retrieve an initial program via a network

a boot trigger configurable to momentarily assert a system reset signal;

a CPU coupled to the user input device to detect a predetermined key press, coupled to the boot trigger to detect the assertion of the system reset signal, coupled to the nonvolatile memory to retrieve the BIOS in response to assertion of the system reset signal, and coupled to the network interface to receive the initial program,

wherein the CPU is configured to execute the BIOS to determine a first target boot-up device, wherein the CPU determines that the first target boot-up device is the network interface if the predetermined key press is detected, and wherein the CPU determines that the first target boot-up device is a local device otherwise,

wherein the BIOS specifies a first boot order, and wherein the CPU determines a second boot order if the predetermined key press is detected, wherein the second boot order is a re-ordering of the first boot order such that the second boot order begins with a network interface present in the first boot order.

8. A method for booting up a computer, wherein the method comprises:

detecting a trigger event;

applying power to a CPU;

retrieving a BIOS that specifies a first boot order;

determining if a predetermined key has been pressed; and

creating a second boot order different from the first boot order if the predetermined key has been pressed after the trigger event, wherein the second boot order is a re-ordering of the first boot order.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second boot order begins with a network interface.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the predetermined key is a function key.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the predetermined key press is part of a predetermined key-combination.

12. A method for booting up a computer, wherein the method comprises:

detecting a trigger event;

applying power to a CPU;

retrieving a BIOS that specifies a first boot order;

determining if a predetermined key has been pressed;

if the predetermined key has not been pressed;

selecting a first target boot device from the first boot order;

otherwise,

if the predetermined key has been pressed;

creating a second boot order which is a reordering of the first boot order;

selecting a first target boot device from the second boot order; and

accessing the first target boot device to retrieve an operating system.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining if the operating system has been found;

selecting a next target boot device if the operating system has not been found; and

executing the operating system if the operating system has been found.