Secure boot across a plurality of processors

A data processing system comprising:

• a plurality of processors;
• a boot code storage coupled to the plurality of processors, wherein the boot code storage stores boot code for booting the data processing system that is partitioned into a plurality of boot code partitions to be executed in a distributed boot sequence;
• and
• pervasive logic coupled to the plurality of processors, wherein the pervasive logic loads, in each of a plurality of boot processors within the plurality of processors of the data processing system, a boot code partition from the plurality of boot code partitions, and wherein the plurality of boot code partitions are executed on their respective associated boot processors as a plurality of sessions in the distributed boot sequence to thereby boot the data processing system,
• wherein, as execution of each boot code partition in its associated session is completed, an associated boot processor of the plurality of processors that executed the boot code partition signals, to another boot processor associated with a next boot code partition in the distributed boot sequence, the successful completion of the boot code partition;
• wherein if any session results in unsuccessful or compromised execution of a boot code partition, booting of the data processing system fails;
• and
• wherein if all sessions in the distributed boot sequence are successful, booting of the data processing system continues.

A computer program product comprising a computer storage device having a computer readable program stored thereon, wherein the computer readable program, when executed on a data processing system, causes the data processing system to:

• partition boot code for booting the data processing system into a plurality of boot code partitions to be executed in a distributed boot sequence;
• load, in each of a plurality of boot processors, a boot code partition from the plurality of boot code partitions;
• and
• execute the plurality of boot code partitions on their respective associated boot processors as a plurality of sessions in the distributed boot sequence to thereby boot the data processing system,
• wherein, as execution of each boot code partition in its associated session is completed, an associated boot processor of the plurality of processors that executed the boot code partition signals, to another boot processor associated with a next boot code partition in the distributed boot sequence, the successful completion of the boot code partition;
• wherein if any session results in unsuccessful or compromised execution of a boot code partition, booting of the data processing system fails;
• and
• wherein if all sessions in the distributed boot sequence are successful, booting of the data processing system continues.