Store the NIC driver on a specially-formatted floppy. The floppy would call a BIOS routine to register NIC driver of size XXXX at address XXXX, and the BIOS would take over.
Unfortunately, this would defeat the purpose of a diskless workstation.
True.
This is why a Linux style BIOS configuration is advantageous. You pick your NIC and recompile.
Also true. I was trying to think of an even more modular approach, and the floppy probably was a bit bass ackwards.
With a modular BIOS design, there would be space for X number of option ROMs in the flash memory...
Perhaps a slicker, more useful approach would be to have a tool that allows loading Linux-like modules into flash. The system could then be configured in the BIOS setup which driver to use.
Example (imagine a few dozen computers):
- load Intel Pro/100, DEC 21x4x, 3c590/3c90x drivers into all BIOSes - config each individual machine to use whatever NIC - phase out 3Com cards, using only EE/100 and Tulips - reconfig as needed - remove 3Com drivers from flash
As long as BIOSes are modular, why not have load/unload module options? I think that would be *really* cool. No need to even recompile; just flash a new module into the BIOS. Custom BIOSes in no time!
I don't mind recompiling -- in fact I don't run modules in my kernels, and recompiles are the only way -- but I think it would be nice to change computers without having to recompile each BIOS.
As long as I'm rambling... pre-boot management. :-) I'd love the ability to flash BIOS modules from one location over a network.
I know that Award/Phoenix has some sort of pre-boot BIOS diagnostic type tool that, if memory serves me, is around 8KB. It's certainly not as advanced as what one could dream up, but the "remote management" and I/O redirection code clearly isn't that large.
Of course, Linux 2.2 kernel supports redirecting the console to a serial port. Smells useful...
Eddy
*-----------------------------_/~~_/----------------------------------* Edward Brotsman Dreger "Your Success is Our Success Network & Systems Manager Our Expertise is Your Advantage" Brian's Consulting Services /~__/~\ www.brics.com * 316-794-8922 _________________________________________________________________________ SPAMbot bait: abuse@localhost postmaster@localhost blacklist@brics.com
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