Abstract: A system and method are provided for ensuring access to the correct instance of a network service. The system includes a plurality of management domains. Each management domain may include at least one server and at least on managed device. When the managed device sends a request for a network service, the request may be received by all servers in the network, including those belonging to different management domains. As such, each server may include a referral list. When the server receives a request, the server may determine whether its management domain includes the appropriate instance of the network service. If it does not, it may forward the request to other servers in the referral list until the appropriate network service is identified.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling runtime parameter value input into a computer device during a network bootstrapping process. The system and method may use a memory block to store values needed at runtime that are ordinarily input by a user. A configuration file having one or more macros included may be stored at a TFTP server. A first bootstrap program is loaded on the computer device to initialize a memory block with the name of the configuration file to be used by the computer device during booting and the values for any macros included in the configuration file. The first bootstrap program then calls a second bootstrap program to parse the memory block and/or the configuration file in order to use the contents of the configuration file to boot the computer device. Using macros in the configuration files enable the same configuration file to be used by devices with differing booting needs.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for ensuring access to the correct instance of a network service. The system includes a plurality of management domains. Each management domain may include at least one server and at least on managed device. When the managed device sends a request for a network service, the request may be received by all servers in the network, including those belonging to different management domains. As such, each server may include a referral list. When the server receives a request, the server may determine whether its management domain includes the appropriate instance of the network service. If it does not, it may forward the request to other servers in the referral list until the appropriate network service is identified.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling runtime parameter value input into a computer device during a network bootstrapping process. The system and method may use a memory block to store values needed at runtime that are ordinarily input by a user. A configuration file having one or more macros included may be stored at a TFTP server. A first bootstrap program is loaded on the computer device to initialize a memory block with the name of the configuration file to be used by the computer device during booting and the values for any macros included in the configuration file. The first bootstrap program then calls a second bootstrap program to parse the memory block and/or the configuration file in order to use the contents of the configuration file to boot the computer device. Using macros in the configuration files enable the same configuration file to be used by devices with differing booting needs.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling boot options for a workstation on a computer network includes initiating a boot on a workstation in communication with the network, downloading an application to the workstation from a server in communication with the network, gathering information about the workstation using the bootstrap code and forwarding the information to a policy server in communication with the network. The system and method also include determining, by the policy server, based on the forwarded information and based on a boot policy stored in a policy directory of the network, at least one boot option for booting the workstation, forwarding the boot option to the workstation, requesting, by the workstation, a boot image corresponding to the boot option, forwarding of the boot image to the workstation and completing the boot of the workstation based upon the boot option received by the workstation.

Abstract: A system and method for disaster recovery for a plurality of computers on a computer network including creating a first image of base system data for restoring the base system of a plurality of workstations of a computer network, storing the first image on computer media, creating one or more second images application data for restoring one or more applications of the plurality of workstations on the computer network, storing the second image on computer media, creating a third image of personalized data relative to a respective workstation on the computer network and storing the third image on computer media.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling boot options for a workstation on a computer network includes initiating a boot on a workstation in communication with the network, downloading an application to the workstation from a server in communication with the network, gathering information about the workstation using the bootstrap code and forwarding the information to a policy server in communication with the network. The system and method also include determining, by the policy server, based on the forwarded information and based on a boot policy stored in a policy directory of the network, at least one boot option for booting the workstation, forwarding the boot option to the workstation, requesting, by the workstation, a boot image corresponding to the boot option, forwarding of the boot image to the workstation and completing the boot of the workstation based upon the boot option received by the workstation.

Abstract: Data structures and methods for imaging computer readable media are provided. A data structure used to recreate computer readable media is provided having a type identifier used to identify a type of image data originally imaged. Further, a length data identifies the size of a data stream which is a portion of a file associated with the image data, wherein the data stream combined with additional data streams are operable to form a complete file. Moreover, a method of collecting image data is provided wherein control data is associated with a file residing in the image data, the control data includes a partition type, compression type, file length, and one or more file set types. Furthermore, the control data are organized on a computer readable medium, along with the file. Also, a method of customizing the creation of an image on a computer readable medium is provided wherein zero or more exclude files in an image source are identified and are not included in a created image target.

Abstract: Methods and a computer readable medium are provided for preserving unique critical information during the data imaging process. A method of augmenting the image process is provided wherein information necessary to properly operate one or more network applications, uniquely identify a computing device on the network, or to fulfill any other similar role is acquired. The information is from time to time stored in locations of the storage device which are not partitioned or otherwise used by the computing device. Further, a computer readable medium is provided wherein one or more locations are partitioned and available for use without any significant restrictions. Additionally, a method of restoring a memory associated with a computing device connected to a network of additional computing devices is provided. Also, critical information is acquired from time to time, and the data including the identifying information are restored upon a request.

Abstract: Data structures and methods for imaging computer readable media are provided. A data structure used to recreate computer readable media is provided having a type identifier used to identify a type of image data originally imaged. Further, a length data identifies the size of a data stream which is a portion of a file associated with the image data, wherein the data stream combined with additional data streams are operable to form a complete file.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling runtime parameter value input into a computer device during a network bootstrapping process. The system and method may use a memory block to store values needed at runtime that are ordinarily input by a user. A configuration file having one or more macros included may be stored at a TFTP server. A first bootstrap program is loaded on the computer device to initialize a memory block with the name of the configuration file to be used by the computer device during booting and the values for any macros included in the configuration file. The first bootstrap program then calls a second bootstrap program to parse the memory block and/or the configuration file in order to use the contents of the configuration file to boot the computer device. Using macros in the configuration files enable the same configuration file to be used by devices with differing booting needs.