Real-time operation by a diskless client computer

1. A method for operating a diskless client computer using a disk based operating system where the client computer system must accommodate at least certain real-time applications, the method comprising the stops of:

booting the client computer by fetching operating system modules through a network connection from a remote host computer;

storing key operating system modules in a ramdisk as part of the booting of the client computer;

locking the key operating system modules in ramdisk to prevent swapping of said modules by the operating system as part of the booting of the client computer;

loading library and binary directories into random access memory as read-only files with consistency checking disabled as part of the booting of the client computer;

managing the loading of programs stored at the host computer requiring real-time operation so that the programs are loaded as separate modules spaced-apart in time where the client computer is released between the loading of the separate modules to process other tasks;

setting a value that corresponds to a time interval that will cause a time out error due to delay in obtaining requested information from the host computer, the value being set to be at least equal to the longest time interval that the client computer is to remain operational without being able to access the host computer.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of using a general purpose UNIX disk based operating system for the client computer.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of storing comprises storing only a kernel bootable image, root file system, and device and driver file directories in the ramdisk as part of the booting of the client computer, and the step of locking comprises locking the kernel bootable image, root file system, and device and driver file directories in the ramdisk as part of the booting of the client computer.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of causing dynamic linking of shared files to be performed prior to the execution of the shared files.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the managing step periodically updates at least files stored in ramdisk that must be persistent by loading a newer version of the at least files from ramdisk to persistent hard disk storage of the host computer.

6. A disldess client computer using a disk based operating system where the client computer system must accommodate at least certain real-time applications, the client computer comprising:

microprocessor operating under instructions initiates a boot process by fetching operating system modules through a network connection from a remote host compute˜, ramdisk adapted to store key operating system modules as part of the booting of the client computer,

the microprocessor causing the key operating system modules to be locked in ramdisk to prevent swapping of said modules by the operating system as part of the booting of the client computer;

the microprocessor loading library and binary directories into random access memory as read-only files with consistency checking disabled as part of the booting of the client computer; the microprocessor operating under instructions for managing the loading of programs controls the loading of programs stored at the host computer requiring real-time operation so that the programs are loaded as separate modules spaced-apart in time where the microprocessor is released between the loading of the separate modules to process other tasks;

The microprocessor causing the setting a value that corresponds to a time interval that will cause a time out error due to delay in obtaining requested information from the host computer, the value being set to be at least equal to the longest time interval that the client computer is to remain operational without being able to access the host computer.

7. The diskless client computer of claim 6 wherein the microprocessor operates using a general purpose UNIX disk based operating system.

8. The diskless client computer of claim 7 wherein the ramdisk only stores a kernel bootable image, root file system, and device and driver file directories, where the kernel bootable image, root file system, and device and driver file directories are locked in the ramdisk.

9. The diskless client computer of claim 6 further comprising the microprocessor executing instructions to cause dynamic linking of shared files to be performed prior to the execution of the shared files.

10. The diskless client computer of claim 6 wherein the microprocessor operating under the managing instructions periodically updates at least files stored in ramdisk that must be persistent by loading a newer version from the ramdisk down to the host computer.

11. An article, comprising:

one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium;

means in the one or more medium for booting a client computer by fetching operating system modules through a network connection from a remote host computer;

further means in the one or more medium for storing key operating system modules in a ramdisk located in the client computer as part of the booting of the client computer;

further means in the one or more medium for locking the key operating system modules in ramdisk to prevent swapping of said modules by an operating system as part of the booting of the client computer,

further means in the one or more medium for loading library and binary directories into random access memory as read-only files with consistency checking disabled as part of the booting of the client computer;

further means in the one or more medium for managing the loading of programs stored at the host computer requiting real-time operation so that the programs axe loaded as separate modules spaced-apart in time where the client computer is released between the loading of the separate modules to process other tasks;

further means in the one or more media medium for setting a value that corresponds to a time interval that will cause a time out error due to delay in obtaining requested information from the host computer, the value being set to be at least equal to the longest time interval that the client computer is to remain operational without being able to access the host computer.

12. The article of claim 11 further comprising means in the one or more medium for using a general purpose UNIX disk based operating system for the client computer.

13. The article of claim 12 wherein the means in the one or more medium for storing comprises only storing a kernel bootable image, root file system, and device and driver file directories in the ramdisk, and the means in the one or more medium for locking comprises locking the kernel bootable image, root file system, and device and driver file directories in the ramdisk.

14. The article of claim 11 further comprising means in the one or more medium for loading library and binary directories into random access memory as read-only files with consistency checking disabled, and means in the one or more medium for causing dynamic linking of shared files to be performed prior to the execution of the shared files.

15. The article of claim 11 wherein the means ha the one or more medium for managing periodically updates at least files stored in ramdisk that must be persistent by loading a newer version from the ramdisk down to the host computer.