System and method for enabling automated run-time input to network bootstrapping processes

a technology of automated run-time input and network bootstrapping, which is applied in the direction of process and machine control, digital computer details, instruments, etc., can solve the problems of no mechanism for automating the boot selection process or the entry of input parameters

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-06-11
RPX CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enables computers to automatically select the appropriate boot configuration and initiate the boot process without user intervention, allowing for flexible boot options and efficient deployment of special purpose operating systems.

Problems solved by technology

These programs typically require entry of input parameters by the user during the run time of the bootstrapping process and, therefore, have no mechanisms to automate the boot selection process or the entry of input parameters.

Method used

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  • System and method for enabling automated run-time input to network bootstrapping processes
  • System and method for enabling automated run-time input to network bootstrapping processes
  • System and method for enabling automated run-time input to network bootstrapping processes

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Embodiment Construction

[0015]In accordance with the various disclosed embodiments, the present invention contemplates systems and methods that enable automated run-time input to network bootstrap processes. These systems and methods allow a determination to be made at boot time whether a computer device should boot the operating system installed in the computer device's memory or download and boot a special purpose operating system to accomplish an assigned task. The required input parameters may be supplied without user input or intervention. For example, a memory block may be initialized to store parameter values that would otherwise require user input.

[0016]Consistent with these embodiments, FIG. 1 depicts system 100 that includes one or more computer devices 11a-n communicatively coupled, via a network, to management server 120. According to some embodiments of the invention, system 100 further includes trivial file transport protocol (TFTP) server 130. It will be appreciated that the network may comp...

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PUM

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Abstract

A system and method are provided for enabling runtime parameter value input into a computer device during a network bootstrapping process. The system and method may use a memory block to store values needed at runtime that are ordinarily input by a user. A configuration file having one or more macros included may be stored at a TFTP server. A first bootstrap program is loaded on the computer device to initialize a memory block with the name of the configuration file to be used by the computer device during booting and the values for any macros included in the configuration file. The first bootstrap program then calls a second bootstrap program to parse the memory block and / or the configuration file in order to use the contents of the configuration file to boot the computer device. Using macros in the configuration files enable the same configuration file to be used by devices with differing booting needs.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to a system and method for providing automated run-time input to network bootstrap processes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]During the startup of a computer device, a process commonly known as “booting” or “bootstrapping” is executed. The bootstrapping process employs a “bootstrap” program that contain a specific set of instructions to initialize and load the operating system that manages the computer device. Traditionally, such bootstrap programs were stored in the computer device's memory.[0003]Many computer devices, however, currently support network booting processes that enable the devices to communicate with a remote server and obtain system files over a network. Examples of such processes include the use of the Pre-boot Execution Environment (PXE) to download an operating system from a network. Generally, for such processes, the computer device is configured with some type of code in non-volatile memory that will enable the ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityPatents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G06F15/177G06F1/24
CPCG06F9/4416
InventorBACKMAN, DRAKE
OwnerRPX CORP