Network booting in a peer-to-peer environment using dynamic magnet links
A method, computer program product, and system includes a processor(s) connecting a first computer system to a boot swarm, initiating formation of a peer to peer network. The processor(s) receive a request from a second computer system, a request for a file. The processor(s) configure the second computer system, including implementing a client application hosted from a resource in the first computer system, to facilitate the second computer system joining the peer to peer network. The processor(s) determine immediate peer(s) in the peer to peer network available to provide the file to the second computer system. The processor(s) generate a magnet link that includes a listing of address(es) of the immediate peer(s), ranking address(es) from best source to worst source for downloading the file. The processor(s) provide the second computer system with the magnet link to utilize in downloading the file from a peer.
1. A computer program product comprising:
a computer readable storage medium readable by one or more processors and storing instructions for execution by the one or more processors for performing a method comprising:
connecting, by the one or more processors of a first computer system, the first computer system to a boot swarm, initiating formation of a peer to peer network;
receiving, by the one or more processors, a request from a second computer system for a file, wherein the file is selected from the group consisting of: an operating system file and a firmware file;
configuring, by the one or more processors, the second computer system, wherein the configuration comprises implementing a client application hosted from a resource in the first computer system, to facilitate the second computer system joining the peer to peer network;
determining, by the one or more processors, one or more immediate peers in the peer to peer network available to provide the file to the second computer system;
generating, by the one or more processors, a magnet link comprising a listing of addresses of the one or more immediate peers, wherein an order of the listing indicates rankings from best source to worst source for downloading the file among the one or more immediate peers; and
providing, by the one or more processors, the second computer system with the magnet link to utilize in downloading the file from a peer of the one or more immediate peers.
2. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the file comprises a complete boot image.
3. The computer program product of claim 2 , the method further comprising:
obtaining, by the one or more processors, through the client application, verification that the second computer system has joined the boot swarm by downloading the complete boot image;
determining, by the one or more processors, one or more immediate peers on the peer to peer network capable of receiving the complete boot image from the second computer system; and
updating, by the one or more processors, a boot options record with configuration information of the second computer system.
4. The computer program product of claim 1 , the method further comprising:
determining, by the one or more processors, based on the client application, that the second computer system has left the boot swarm; and
removing, by the one or more processors, the configuration information of the second computer system from the boot options record.
5. The computer program product of claim 2 , the method further comprising:
receiving, by the one or more processors, a request from a third computer system for the complete boot image;
configuring, by the one or more processors, the third computer system, wherein the configuration comprises implementing a client application hosted from the resource in the first computer system, to facilitate the third computer system joining the peer to peer network;
determining, by the one or more processors, one or more immediate peers in the peer to peer network available to provide the boot image to the third computer system, wherein the second computer system comprises a peer of the immediate peers; and
generating, by the one or more processors, a magnet link comprising a listing of addresses of the one or more immediate peers available to provide the boot image to the third computer system, wherein an order of the listing indicates rankings from best source to worst source for downloading the boot image among the one or more immediate peers available to provide the boot image to the third computer system; and
providing, by the one or more processors, the third computer system with the magnet link to utilize in downloading the boot image from a peer of the one or more immediate peers available to provide the boot image to the third computer system, wherein the magnet link comprises the address of the second computer system.
6. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the configuration comprises dynamically configurable parameters of the second computer system.
7. The computer program product of claim 1 , the method further comprising:
maintaining, by the one or more processors, an update list comprising the boot options records.
8. The computer program product of claim 7 , wherein determining the one or more immediate peers further comprises:
accessing, by the one or more processors, the update list to identify the one or more immediate peers.
9. A system comprising:
a memory;
one or more processors in communication with the memory; and
program instructions executable by the one or more processors via the memory to perform a method, the method comprising:
connecting, by the one or more processors of a first computer system, the first computer system to a boot swarm, initiating formation of a peer to peer network;
receiving, by the one or more processors, a request from a second computer system for a file, wherein the file is selected from the group consisting of: an operating system file and a firmware file;
configuring, by the one or more processors, the second computer system, wherein the configuration comprises implementing a client application hosted from a resource in the first computer system, to facilitate the second computer system joining the peer to peer network;
determining, by the one or more processors, one or more immediate peers in the peer to peer network available to provide the file to the second computer system;
generating, by the one or more processors, a magnet link comprising a listing of addresses of the one or more immediate peers, wherein an order of the listing indicates rankings from best source to worst source for downloading the file among the one or more immediate peers; and
providing, by the one or more processors, the second computer system with the magnet link to utilize in downloading the file from a peer of the one or more immediate peers.