Loading patent…
AssigneeIntrinsyc Software International, Inc.
InventorsAndre Francois Viljoen, Pieter Bernardus Truter
Estimating the term…
The invention consists of a boot loader for a device, comprising an IP stack supporting Internet protocols, and a scripting engine to run a default script. The IP stack includes address discovery service (for example, BOOTP and DHCP), a URI to IP address translator (for example, DNS), and a protocol for file transfer over the Internet (for example, HTTP, FTP and/or TFTP). On start-up of the device, the boot loader runs the default script to initialize the device and verify the integrity of any data and operating systems in memory on the device.
A boot loader for a device, comprising:
A method of booting a device, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Backward citations are indexed for grants only.
Software deployment: updates
Bootstrapping: loading of operating system
Bootstrapping: network booting; Remote initial program loading [RIPL]
Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
Term end not estimated
The invention relates to a boot loader designed to access boot information via the Internet, allowing for automatic provisioning, upgrades and recovery of corrupted device images based on a unique device ID.
Most desktop computers and similar devices have a boot loader. The function of the boot loader is to load an operating system into the computer's main memory or random access memory (RAM). Once the operating system is loaded (for example, on a PC, when you see the initial Windows or Mac desktop screen), it is ready for users to run applications.
The boot loader is a small program that loads the operating system into the computer. Furthermore, a boot loader can give the user the choice to load an operating system from a list of available operating systems. This would be done by creating partitions in the Flash memory, hard disk or Read Only Memory (ROM). Each partition would include a single operating system or user data. During the booting process the user would be prompted to select from the list of available operating systems. Once the choice is made, the boot loader proceeds to load the desired operating system into RAM and then hand control to the operating system.
The invention itself both as to organization and method of operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will become readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the architectural components of a boot loader according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for determining a valid boot partition;
In the following description, a “device image” means an executable operating system and/or data required for proper operation of a device. A device image may contain file systems or plain data, as required.
A “device unique ID” is a serial number or string that unique identifies a device from any other device. The device unique ID must be stored in a non-volatile manner and allow for easy retrieval at any time. Frequently, the MAC address is used as a device unique ID, however, any number or string that meets the requirements will suffice. A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a computer's unique hardware number. Ethernet MAC addresses are unique and are administered and distributed by the IEEE.
FIG. 1 shows the architectural components of a boot loader 10 according to the present invention. The components of the boot loader 10 are installed onto a hardware platform 11. Each of the components is described in detail below.