Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Digital data processing system initialization or configuration – Loading initialization program
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-29
2001-08-07
Heckler, Thomas M. (Department: 2182)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Digital data processing system initialization or configuration
Loading initialization program
C709S222000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272629
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to providing a network connection for a processor without the need for an operating system boot.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A significant problem in the computer area involves how best to provide for management of computers, including, for example, providing maintenance and update information. In the past, it has been common to provide service contracts for personal visits by repair personnel to maintain and update computer equipment. Obviously, this is an expensive and time consuming approach. Accordingly, significant efforts have been made toward providing remote management for computers to eliminate the need for such personal service calls.
In Local-Area-Networks (LANs), systems such as the Intel Wired-for-Manageability (WfM) have been developed to perform diagnosis, repair and update operations without the need for personal service calls. However, such systems are generally not readily adaptable to so-called “occasionally connected” computers (e.g., consumer personal computers (PCs), corporate desktops in remote branch offices, unattended servers in branch offices, mobile platforms, etc.). In the past, such occasionally connected computers have been remotely serviced or updated by connection over a public network, such as the Internet. However, such remote management operations require the operating system of the computer to be booted in order to establish a modem connection over the network. In many cases, this is impractical because the nature of the problem which the computer is experiencing prevents booting the operating system. Accordingly, a significant need exists for an arrangement that can permit modem connection for diagnosis, update and/or downloading of other desirable information over a network connection without the requirement for an operating system boot, especially in the area of occasionally connected computers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method and apparatus is provided in accordance with the present invention to establish a network connection for a processor without the requirement of booting the operating system. To this end, pre-boot services are loaded into a volatile memory of the processor from a non-volatile memory. These pre-boot services include code for a modem driver. The modem driver code is then used to establish the network connection.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5444850 (1995-08-01), Chang
patent: 5680547 (1997-10-01), Chang
Antonelli Terry Stout & Kraus LLP
Heckler Thomas M.
Intel Corporation
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