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 computer network and network client where the network client includes a nonvolatile storage device for storing a packet replication indicator and a third party host identifier. The client further includes means for modifying the state of the packet replication indicator and the third party host identifier. The client has means for initiating a boot code sequence stored on a client boot code storage device. If the client detects a specified state of the packet replication indicator, the boot code sequence establishes a communication socket with a third party host identified by the third party host identifier and forwards copies or replicates of packets that are exchanged between the network client and a network server. In one embodiment the packets are replicated to the third party host until the boot sequence terminates. The third party host identifier is preferably comprised of an IP address portion and a third party host port identifier portion.

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 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.