Patent ID: 7512139
Filing Date: 2009-03-31
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method of enabling remote booting of a remote boot client in a switched network defining a plurality of virtual local area networks (VLANs), the switched network including a first trunking aware switch, a first remote boot client and a remote boot server, the method including steps of: setting a first port of the first trunking aware switch to a first mode in which traffic received on the first port set in the first mode is directed to a first predetermined native VLAN of the plurality of VLANs; receiving a request for remote boot from the first remote boot client on the first port of the first trunking aware switch, the first port being set in the first mode; directing the request for remote boot from the first trunking aware switch to a second port of the remote boot server, the second port being configured to receive traffic on the first predetermined native VLAN of the plurality of VLANs; receiving selected files from the remote boot server on the first predetermined native VLAN and forwarding the received files to the first remote boot client on the first predetermined native VLAN, the selected files being operative to enable the first remote boot client to initiate loading and booting a selected operating system, and switching the first port of the first trunking aware switch from the first mode to a second mode that enables the first remote boot client to specify one of the plurality of VLANs and to send traffic to the first truniking aware switch on the specified one of the plurality of VLANs.