Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing security based on a device identifier prior to booting an operating system on the computing device. Upon power on of a computing device, pre-execution services (PES) are loaded. The PES includes services for retrieving a device identifier from a network interface device and sending the device identifier to a validation server that validates the device identifier based on a database of valid device identifiers. The validation server may perform a lookup of the device identifier in the database and, if the device identifier is present in the database, retrieve rules associated with that device identifier to determine if the device identifier is still valid under current conditions. The rules are applied to data representing current conditions to determine if all requirements for allowing access to the computing system are satisfied. Based on the application of the rules for the device identifier, a determination is made as to whether the device identifier is valid or not.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing security based on a device identifier prior to booting an operating system on the computing device. Upon power on of a computing device, pre-execution services (PES) are loaded. The PES includes services for retrieving a device identifier from a network interface device and sending the device identifier to a validation server that validates the device identifier based on a database of valid device identifiers. The validation server may perform a lookup of the device identifier in the database and, if the device identifier is present in the database, retrieve rules associated with that device identifier to determine if the device identifier is still valid under current conditions. The rules are applied to data representing current conditions to determine if all requirements for allowing access to the computing system are satisfied. Based on the application of the rules for the device identifier, a determination is made as to whether the device identifier is valid or not.

Abstract: A data processing system and method are described for booting a computer system from a virtual floppy diskette. A native operating system is executed by the computer system which utilizes a native file system. A boot able floppy diskette image is stored on the hard drive. The image includes a second operating system which utilizes a second file system. A master boot record stored on the hard drive is modified to include a boot bit. The boot bit is set in response to a storage of the image. The computer system is then booted from the image in response to the boot bit being set. The native operating system and the native file system are unchanged during the booting of the computer system from the image.