Abstract: A method includes obtaining an inventory of hardware devices in each of a plurality of blades, and calculating, for each of the plurality of blades, an amount of boot time to power-on the blade and reach a condition in which the blade is ready to receive a preboot image, wherein the amount of boot time is calculated as a function of the inventory of hardware devices in the blade. In addition, a preboot image load time is identified for each of the plurality of blades. The method then further comprises scheduling power-on of each of the plurality of blades so that a subsequent blade in an order is ready to mount the remote disk and receive the preboot image when a previous blade in the order has received the preboot image and released the remote disk.

Abstract: A computer program product includes computer readable program code for obtaining an inventory of hardware devices in each of a plurality of blades, and for calculating, for each of the plurality of blades, an amount of boot time to power-on the blade and reach a condition in which the blade is ready to receive a preboot image. The amount of boot time is calculated as a function of the inventory of hardware devices in the blade. Further computer readable program code is provided for identifying a preboot image load time for each of the blades, and for scheduling power-on of each blade so that a subsequent blade in an order is ready to mount the remote disk and receive the preboot image when a previous blade in the order has received the preboot image and released the remote disk.