Patent ID: 8046574
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method, in a data processing system having a plurality of processors, for booting the data processing system, comprising: partitioning boot code for booting the data processing system into a plurality of boot code partitions to be executed in a distributed boot sequence; loading, in each of a plurality of boot processors within the plurality of processors of the data processing system, a boot code partition from the plurality of boot code partitions; and executing the plurality of boot code partitions on their respective associated boot processors as a plurality of sessions in the distributed boot sequence to thereby boot the data processing system, wherein, as execution of each boot code partition in its associated session is completed, an associated boot processor of the plurality of processors that executed the boot code partition signals, to another boot processor associated with a next boot code partition in the distributed boot sequence, the successful completion of the boot code partition; wherein if any session results in unsuccessful or compromised execution of a boot code partition, booting of the data processing system fails; and wherein if all sessions in the distributed boot sequence are successful, booting of the data processing system continues.