Patent ID: 6202091
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: G06F,H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
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 a first stage and a plurality of successive stages following said first stage, the implementation of the stages subsequent to the first stage being effected by executing respective program code units, said program element including:a boot initiation program module for execution by the computer to implement a first stage of said boot-up procedure;a policy file operative for directing execution of stages subsequent to the first stage of said boot-up procedure, said policy file having a plurality of entries, each entry pointing to a location containing a program code unit suitable for execution by the computer to implement a respective stage of said multi-stage boot-up procedure, at least one entry pointing toward a location containing a first program code unit residing locally at the computer and at least another entry pointing toward a location containing a second program code unit residing at a site remote from the computer, the first program code unit being associated with a stage of the boot-up procedure that occurs subsequently to the first stage, the first program code unit residing locally at the computer prior to the execution of the first stage.