Method to enhance boot time using redundant service processors
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsMike Duron, Mark McLaughlin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A computer implemented method, data processing system, computer usable program code, and apparatus are provided for enhancing boot time of a computer system. Initial program load firmware is initialized on a plurality of service processors. The plurality of service processors performs independent non-redundant initialization tasks concurrently as other independent non-redundant initialization tasks are performed by another service processor. Once the initialization tasks are completed, control is switched to a primary service processor within the plurality of service processors and runtime firmware is loaded by the primary service processor.
Claims20
A computer implemented method for enhancing boot time of a computer system, the method comprising:
- initializing initial program load firmware on a plurality of service processors;
- performing initialization tasks, wherein the initialization tasks are performed on the plurality of service processors and wherein each service processor in the plurality of service processors performs independent non-redundant initialization tasks concurrently as other independent non-redundant initialization tasks are performed by another service processor in the plurality of service processors;
- switching control back to a primary service processor within the plurality of service processors;
- and
- loading a set of runtime firmware, wherein the set of runtime firmware is loaded by the primary service processor.
A data processing system comprising:
- initial program load firmware;
- and
- a plurality of service processors, wherein the plurality of service processors:
- initializes the initial program load firmware on plurality of service processors;
- performs initialization tasks in the initial program load firmware, wherein the initialization tasks are performed on the plurality of service processors and wherein each service processor in the plurality of service processors performs independent non-redundant initialization tasks concurrently as other independent non-redundant initialization tasks are performed by another service processor in the plurality of service processors;
- switches control back to a primary service processor within the plurality of service processors;
- and
- loads a set of runtime firmware, wherein the set of runtime firmware is loaded by the primary service processor.
A computer program product comprising:
- a computer usable medium including computer usable program code for enhancing boot time of a computer system, the computer program product including:
- computer usable program code for initializing initial program load firmware on a plurality of service processors;
- computer usable program code for performing initialization tasks, wherein the initialization tasks are performed on the plurality of service processors and wherein each service processor in the plurality of service processors performs independent non-redundant initialization tasks concurrently as other independent non-redundant initialization tasks are performed by another service processor in the plurality of service processors;
- computer usable program code for switching control back to a primary service processor within the plurality of service processors;
- and
- computer usable program code for loading a set of runtime firmware, wherein the set of runtime firmware is loaded by the primary service processor.
An apparatus for enhancing boot time of a computer system, the apparatus comprising:
- initializing means for initializing initial program load firmware on a plurality of service processors;
- performing means for performing initialization tasks, wherein the initialization tasks are performed on the plurality of service processors and wherein each service processor in the plurality of service processors performs independent non-redundant initialization tasks concurrently as other independent non-redundant initialization tasks are performed by another service processor in the plurality of service processors;
- switching means for switching control back to a primary service processor within the plurality of service processors;
- and
- loading means for loading a set of runtime firmware, wherein the set of runtime firmware is loaded by the primary service processor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.