Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Network computer configuring – Initializing
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-08
2001-03-13
Rinehart, Mark (Department: 2152)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Network computer configuring
Initializing
C709S220000, C713S002000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202091
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a process and apparatus for starting up a computer system. It is applicable to computers operating in a distributed network environment and may be used to allow the individual computers to boot selectively from a local memory unit or from a network through the use of a policy file. The invention also provides a computer readable storage medium containing a program element to direct a computer to boot-up.
BACKGROUND
Booting is the process by which software (usually the operating system) is loaded into the memory of a computer and begins execution. Booting may also include loading a software image and starting software instances such as accounting or mail daemons. Usually, booting is done when the computer is turned on. Different computer systems can boot in different fashions. For example, most PCs are able to boot their operating system from a disk containing the required booting software and many embedded systems are able to boot from a pre-configured boot ROM. One type of network organization method involves using diskless workstations attached to a server that contains software programs and data. Diskless workstations are able to boot from a network using a connection protocol such as the TCP/IP protocol suite and download the programs in order to run them remotely. In these systems the elements of the TCP/IP protocol suite must also be fetched from a remote source and the booting is usually done from an IP network.
In a typical system, when a computer is first turned on, code present in a boot ROM is executed. Typically this code directs the computer to check for hardware components to ensure no essential components are lacking in the system. The boot ROM code then proceeds in loading up the operating system software. In the majority of computer systems, the booting procedure is hard-coded. For instance, a computer that boots from its hard disk always boots from its hard disk and one that boots from a network always boots from a network. Modifying the booting procedure involves reprogramming the boot ROM. Therefore if the hard drive of computer that boots from its hard drive fails, the computer cannot start although the same software could be available from the network. The reverse is also true for a computer that usually boots from the network when the latter fails.
Thus, there exists a need in the industry to provide an improved method for booting a computer such as to allow greater flexibility and to permit a computer to selectively boot from either its non-volatile memory unit or from a remote location, such as from a network.
OBJECTS AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a machine-readable storage medium containing an improved program element to boot-up a computer.
An object of this invention is to provide a novel method for booting-up a computer.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a computer implementing a novel boot-up procedure.
As embodied and broadly described herein the invention provides a machine-readable storage medium containing a program element for directing a computer to effect a multi-stage boot-up procedure from power-up, said multi-stage boot-up procedure including at least two successive stages, said program element implementing functional blocks, including:
a boot element for initiating one stage of said boot-up procedure;
a data structure including a pointer to a location containing an information element, said boot element capable of interacting with said information element to cause execution of a stage of said boot-up procedure following in order said one stage, said pointer being selectively settable to point to either one of a local site and a remote site.
For the purpose of this specification, the expression “local site” refers to a location that is in the computer itself or, generally speaking, part of the computer. For example, a disk drive either internal or external is considered local because it is integrated to the structure of the computer. On the other hand, “remote site” is considered a location holding components that are not normally part of the computer, but with which the computer may be able to communicate. For example, a node in a network to which the computer is connected is considered to be “remote” because the node is normally a separate device from the computer, although the computer can communicate with that node through a predetermined protocol to exchange data.
For the purpose of this specification, the expression “vintage of a file” or “vintage” is used to designate the age or time characteristics of a file that indicates whether the file is up to date or not.
For the purpose of this specification, the expression “non-volatile storage” is used to designate a storage unit that maintains its content even if the storage device has no power such as non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) or a hard-disk.
In accordance with the present invention, the machine-readable storage medium holds a program element implementing a boot-up procedure. That procedure is characterized as being a multi-stage process. A data structure containing a pointer that can be selectively set to point toward a local site or a remote site indicates the location of software or data components necessary to complete the execution of one or more of the boot-up procedure stages. In a specific example, this provides a flexible booting strategy allowing initiating the boot-up procedure locally while loading some software components from a remote site, such as a network. The components that one may select to load from the remote location can be those that may be the subject of repeated upgrades or revisions. This avoids the necessity of changing the boot-up program at each node of the network, as an upgrade at the server that delivers the particular component is sufficient.
In a most preferred embodiment, the boot-up procedure includes five stages, namely start-up, discovery, software download, software initialization and datafill. Several files contain instructions indicating to the boot-up program how to proceed, in particular, where data or software components necessary for the execution of the various stages are located. In addition, a file may also point to an alternate resource location should the primary site from which the data or software component is to be obtained is inoperative.
The start-up stage initiates the boot-up procedure. The CPU of the computer, upon power-up, begins executing from a boot initiation element a set instructions starting at a particular address of a non-volatile memory. The purpose of the boot initiation element is to run basic sanity checks to determine all the critical components of the computer that are present, run the necessary I/O drivers and communication protocols, etc. In other words, the boot initiation element activates software components and sets-up the hardware to allow other software elements necessary to complete the boot-up procedure to run properly. The boot initiation element interacts with a policy file containing a plurality of entries that determine specifically how the boot-up procedure will be completed. Typically, the policy file that can be either held on a non-volatile memory or be part of the boot initiation element includes one or more pointers specifying where a particular information element such as software or data entities are to be acquired. In a most preferred embodiment, the policy file specifies when the discovery stage is to be performed. In short, the discovery stage is a registration of the computer system with the network. This involves setting up a data exchange transaction with a given node in the network to indicate to that node that a particular computer is being boot up. A successful registration procedure indicates that reliable communication with the network is likely. Accordingly, software or data elements that may be needed to complete the boot-up procedure can be acquired from that source. Otherwise, if the registration procedure is not successful, the boot initiation element may then revert sol
Kang Paul
Nortel Networks Limited
Rinehart Mark
LandOfFree
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