Mechanism for controlling boot decisions from a network policy directory based on client profile information

A computer program product, stored on a computer readable medium, for performing a method for controlling boot options comprising:

• initiating a boot on a workstation in communication with the a network;
• downloading bootstrap code to the workstation from a server in communication with the network,
• using the bootstrap code to gather information about the workstation;
• forwarding the information to a policy server in communication with the network;
• determining, by the policy server, based on the forwarded information and based on a boot policy stored in a policy directory of the network, two or more boot options for booting the workstation;
• forwarding the two or more boot options to the workstation;
• enabling a user to select a boot option from the two or more boot options;
• receiving, from the workstation, the user selection of a boot option and a request for a boot image corresponding to the user selection;
• forwarding the requested boot image to the workstation based on the user selection;
• and
• completing the boot of the workstation based upon the boot image received by the workstation.

A computer readable medium having provided thereon computer instructions for a method for controlling boot options on a computer network comprising:

• initiating a boot on a workstation in communication with the network;
• downloading bootstrap code to the workstation from a server in communication with the network,
• gathering information about the workstation using the bootstrap code;
• forwarding the information to a policy server in communication with the network;
• determining, by the policy server, based on the forwarded information and based on a boot policy stored in a policy directory of the network, two or more boot options for booting the workstation;
• forwarding the two or more boot options to the workstation;
• enabling a user to select a boot option from the two or more boot options;
• receiving, from the workstation, the user selection of a boot option and a request for a boot image corresponding to the user selection;
• forwarding the requested boot image to the workstation;
• and
• completing the boot of the workstation based upon the boot image received by the workstation.

A system for a performing a method for controlling boot options on a computer network comprising:

• initiating means for initiating a boot on a workstation in communication with the network;
• downloading means for downloading bootstrap code to the workstation from a server in communication with the network,
• gathering means for gathering information about the workstation using the bootstrap code;
• forwarding means for forwarding the information to a policy server in communication with the network;
• determining means for determining, by the policy server, based on the forwarded information and based on a boot policy stored in a policy directory of the network, two or more boot options for booting the workstation;
• forwarding means for forwarding the two of more boot options to the workstation;
• requesting means for requesting, by the workstation, a boot image corresponding to the boot option;
• enabling means for enabling a user to select a boot option from the two or more boot options;
• receiving means for receiving, from the workstation, the user selection of a boot option and a request for a boot image corresponding to the user selection;
• forwarding means for forwarding the requested boot image to the workstation;
• and
• completing means for completing the boot of the workstation based upon the boot image received by the workstation.

A method for controlling boot options on a computer network comprising:

• initiating a boot on a workstation in communication with the network;
• forwarding information about the workstation to a policy server in communication with the network;
• determining, based on the information, and based on a policy provided in a policy directory of the network, two or more administrator defined boot options for the workstation;
• forwarding the two or more boot options to the workstation;
• enabling a user to select a boot option from the two or more boot options;
• receiving, from the workstation, the user selection of a boot option and a request for a boot image corresponding to the user selection;
• forwarding the requested boot image to the workstation;
• and
• completing the boot of the workstation based upon the boot image received by the workstation.

A method for controlling boot options on a local-area-network (LAN) comprising:

• initiating a boot on a workstation in communication with the network;
• bootstrap code to the workstation from a server in communication with the network,
• gathering information about the workstation using the bootstrap code, wherein the information includes information related to at least one item selected from the group consisting of:
• network address, available memory;
• locally stored programs;
• processor speed, processor architecture, network connection, display type, peripherals, local date, local time and a user;
• forwarding the information to a policy server in communication with the network;
• determining, by the policy server, based on the information, a plurality of boot options for booting the workstation, wherein the boot options are determined based upon the information provided by the workstation and based upon a policy set out in a policy directory of the network, and wherein the policy is selected from the group consisting of a time of day, a date, a network address of the workstation, an amount of memory of the workstation, a processor speed of the workstation, a processor type of the workstation and a user;
• forwarding the plurality of boot options to the workstation;
• selecting a first boot option from the plurality of boot options for booting the workstation;
• requesting, by the workstation, a first boot image corresponding to the first boot option;
• forwarding of the first boot image to the workstation;
• and
• completing the boot of the workstation based upon the first boot image received by the workstation.

A method for controlling boot options on a computer network comprising:

• initiating a boot on a workstation in communication with the network;
• downloading bootstrap code to the workstation from a server in communication with the network,
• gathering information about the workstation;
• forwarding the information to a policy server in communication with the network;
• determining, by the policy server, based on the information and based on a policy set out in a policy directory of the network, two or more administrator defined boot options for booting the workstation;
• forwarding the two or more boot options to the workstation;
• enabling a user to select a boot option from the two or more boot options;
• receiving, from the workstation, the user selection of a boot option and a request for a boot image corresponding to the user selection;
• forwarding the requested boot image to the workstation;
• and
• completing the boot of the workstation based upon the boot image received by the workstation.