iSCSI boot drive system and method for a scalable internet engine
A system for remote booting of a server generally includes a client initiator, an iSCSI virtualizer, and an iSCSI initiator. The client initiator requests access to the server and the iSCSI virtualizer receives the access request. Then, the iSCSI initiator acts upon the request received by the iSCSI virtualizer to initiate login to the server through use of an iSCSI Boot ROM on the server and to emulate a disk operating system through use of the iSCSI Boot ROM, which enables the server to boot. The server boots in both an 8-bit and a subsequent 32-bit mode. The iSCSI Boot ROM appears as a local device upon the completion of the server boot. The iSCSI virtualizer authenticates the login at least twice. The iSCSI virtualizer includes a pair of replicated active directory service servers (ADSS).
1 . A system for remote booting of a server, comprising:
a client initiator, wherein said client initiator requests access to said server;
an iSCSI virtualizer, wherein said iSCSI virtualizer receives the access request;
an iSCSI initiator, wherein the iSCSI initiator acts upon the request received by said iSCSI virtualizer to initiate login to said server through use of an iSCSI Boot ROM on said server and to emulate a disk operating system through use of said iSCSI Boot ROM enabling said server to boot.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said server boots in both a 16-bit mode and a subsequent 32-bit mode.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said iSCSI Boot ROM appears as a local device upon completion of the server boot.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said iSCSI virtualizer authenticates said login.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein said iSCSI virtualizer authenticates said login at least twice.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said iSCSI virtualizer comprises a pair of replicated active directory service servers (ADSS).
7 . A method for remote booting of a server:
receiving a request from an initiator to access the server;
initiating a boot of the server by powering on the server based upon the request;
intercepting the initiated boot process with an iSCSI Boot ROM emulating a disk operating system with said iSCSI Boot ROM; and
enabling said server to boot completely based upon the emulation of the disk operating system.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said step of enabling said server to boot completely further comprises enabling said server to boot completely through use of a 16-bit mode and a subsequent 32-bit mode.
9 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of presenting said iSCSI Boot ROM as a local device upon completion of the server boot.
10 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of authenticating a login to said server.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of authenticating said login to said server at least twice.
12 . A system for remote booting of a server, comprising:
means for requesting access to said server;
means for receiving said access request;
means for acting upon said access request to initiate login to said server through use of an iSCSI Boot ROM that is existent upon said server and for emulating a disk operating system through use of said iSCSI Boot ROM enabling said server to boot.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein said server boots in both a 16-bit mode and a subsequent 32-bit mode.
14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein said iSCSI Boot ROM appears as a local device upon completion of the server boot.
15 . The system of claim 12 , wherein said means for receiving also for authenticating said login.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein said means for receiving for authenticating said login at least twice.
17 . The system of claim 12 , wherein said means for receiving includes a pair of replicated active directory service servers (ADSS).