Abstract: A method of and software for booting a network computer with universal boot code is disclosed. Initially, the type of a boot device is determined from among a set of possible boot devices. A command in a high level boot code segment of the boot code software is then translated to a command executable by the boot device based upon the determined device type. The converted command is then executed on the boot device to transfer data between the network computer and the boot device. The boot code is preferably compatible with a variety of boot devices including a hard disk boot device, an NFS server boot device, as well as a TFTP server boot device. In an embodiment in which the boot device is a TFTP boot device, a READ command from the high level boot code is translated to a TFTP read request. The data transferred by the TFTP read request may be stored in a file cache on the network computer.

Abstract: A mobile computing device and associated base stations are disclosed. The mobile computing device includes a system-on-chip (SOC) device that includes a general purpose processor core and a plurality of peripheral cells suitable for controlling a plurality of peripheral units. The mobile computing device further includes a system memory and a base unit interface. The base unit interface is suitable for connecting the mobile computing device to a base unit that includes a display adapter suitable for controlling a video display. The SOC is connected to and enabled to control the display adapter when the mobile computing device is connected to the base unit. The base unit interface may comprise a PCI interface that connects the SOC device to the base unit via a PCI bus. The plurality of peripheral units may include an audio adapter, a flash device, a wireless suitable for transmitting and receiving wireless information, and a liquid crystal display suitable for displaying text messages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for automatically restoring an operating system on a local storage device. Prior to loading the operating system, a determination is made as to whether the operating system on the local storage device is corrupted in response to starting the data processing system. If the operating system is corrupted, the operating system is repaired using code from a source storage device without loading the operating system.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically configuring a boot process of a network computer initially connected within a network comprising at least one server. A request is broadcast from a network computer to a network for an available server, upon a first initiation of the network computer within the network. Responses from the broadcast are gathered which indicate whether a server is available. A selected boot program is then executed from among multiple boot programs available in the network computer. The selected boot program and the identity of an available server are stored as boot process configuration settings in a nonvolatile storage of the network computer, in response to successful execution of the boot program, such that a subsequent boot process of a network computer is automatically configured.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the boot process of a data processing system. In accordance with the method and system of the present invention, data detailing each operation performed during a boot process of a data processing system is stored within a memory of the data processing system. All the stored data is then displayed in response to a halting of the boot process, such that step-by-step details of the boot process are available to a user prior to operation of the data processing system by an operating system.

Abstract: A connector for use in a network interface including a connector housing, preferably formed of a conductive material such as aluminum. The housing includes a receptacle face that defines a receptacle opening. A receptacle of the connector is attached to an interior surface of the housing and suitable for receiving a terminus of the network cable through the receptacle opening. The connector has a connector circuit including a cable port coupled to the network cable and an interface port coupled to the network interface. The housing defines at least one conduit adapted for receiving a light pipe. Preferably, the network interface provides an Ethernet connection. In one embodiment, the connector circuit includes magnetic components. In the preferred embodiment, the connector comprises an RJ45 connector. The invention further contemplates a network interface integrated within a motherboard, a connector affixed to the mother, an LED attached to the motherboard, and a light pipe.

Abstract: A computer system including a processor, a system memory, and a boot code storage device. The system memory is connected to the processor and is suitable for storing processor data and instructions. The boot code storage device includes an image selection indicator for indicating which of multiple boot code images are to be loaded. The computer system further includes means for initiating a boot sequence stored on the boot code storage device. The boot sequence selects from first and second boot images based upon the state of the image selection indicator and loads the selected image into the system memory in response to a boot event. In one embodiment, the image selection indicator is in an initial state until the boot code sequence successfully loads a boot image. The image selection indicator is set to a value indicative of the loaded image when one of the boot images is successfully loaded.

Abstract: A computer network that includes a network server and a network client. The network server includes a storage medium configured with boot code data preferably comprising operating system software for the network client. The network client includes a power status indicator and is configured to query the power status indicator as part of a boot code sequence that is initiated in response to a boot event. The network client is configured to schedule retrieval of boot code data from the network server based upon the power status indicator. Preferably, the power status indicator includes a power fail circuit that indicates whether power to the network client has failed since a previous boot event. In one embodiment, the power fail circuit includes a flip flop arranged such that the output of the flip flop is preset when power is restored to the network client after a power failure. Preferably the clear input of the flip flop is programmably assertable.

Abstract: A network computer including a motherboard powered by a power supply via a single power supply plane, a clock generator, a processor, a system memory, and a network interface. The network computer is configured to assume a low power state in response to a low power event and further configured to transition from the low power state to a full power state in response to a wake up event. The wake up event may comprise a LAN wake up in the form of a command issued by a server computer coupled to the network computer via a network. In one embodiment, the network computer lacks a disk based storage device, but includes local permanent storage comprising a compact flash card. Preferably, the network computer's clock generator is configured to produce a clock signal for the processor when the network computer is in the full power mode, and further configured to produce no clock signal in the low power mode.

Abstract: A network computer (12) receives instructions from a network manager (11), including a control interrupt instruction, a system management instruction, and a release instruction. A processor (16) associated with the network computer (12) executes the control interrupt instruction first to produce a control interrupt signal. This control interrupt signal causes an operating status controller (17) associated with the network computer (12) to disable local operational status control at the network computer. After local operational status control is disabled at the network computer (12), the processor (16) executes the system management instruction and performs a system management operation at the network computer. Finally, after the system management operation is completed, the processor (16) executes the release instruction to produce a release signal. The release signal causes the operational status controller (17) to enable local operational status control at the network computer (12).

Abstract: A method of creating a boot code image in which a computer is configured to fail a boot code creation bypass test. When the bypass test is subsequently executed, an image of a boot code stored in a boot code storage device is copied to a first storage medium. Preferably, the computer is configured to fail the bypass test by inserting at least one jumper in a motherboard of the computer. The boot code creation bypass test is preferably executed in response to a boot event, such as a system power on or reset. In the preferred embodiment, the bypass test comprises a portion of a boot block portion of the boot code. In one embodiment, the boot code is stored to a compact flash card. A flash memory device including a plurality of sectors is used as the boot code storage device. In one embodiment, the boot block and boot code creation bypass test reside in a first sector of the flash memory device while the remaining portions of the boot code including a start up sequence reside in subsequent sectors.

Abstract: A boot code storage device configured with computer instructions for executing a boot code validity check in response to a boot event to facilitate local recovery of a computer such as a network computer. In response to the boot event, such as powering up a computer in which the boot code storage device is located, an image of a boot code is copied from a first storage medium to the boot code storage device if the validity check is negative. Remaining portions of the boot code, including a start up sequence, are executed if the validity check is positive. In one embodiment, the boot code validity check determines the presence or absence of a boot code jumper in a motherboard to which the boot code storage device is connected. In the preferred embodiment, the boot code storage device comprises a flash memory device, preferably including a plurality of sectors.

Abstract: A system reset arrangement (12) resides alternately in an enabled condition or a disabled condition. When the system reset arrangement (12) is in the disabled condition, a switching input provided through a switch (11) does not effect a system reset. However, in the enabled condition, the switching input through the switch (11) causes system reset arrangement (12) to produce a reset output which resets the system. A reset disable arrangement (14) maintains the system reset arrangement (12) in the disabled condition in response to a disable input. When the disable input is removed, reset disable arrangement (14) maintains system reset arrangement (12) in the enabled condition. An interrupt output (15) develops an interrupt signal in response to the switching input. This interrupt signal prompts an interrupt controller (16) to issue a desired system management command to be processed by the system processor.