Server computers are utilized extensively today to provide for, among other uses, centralized or distributed storage repositories for applications software and the other software. Often, a server computer is utilized in a network environment to provide these applications and other software to other computers that may be interconnected through the network. This type of arrangement is particularly efficient for downloading common applications that may be utilized by a variety of different computers from one conveniently serviced server computer.
Today, it is not uncommon for a large number of server computers to be physically mounted within a single computer rack that may be many feet tall. In the interest of space and economics, it would be helpful if each of the servers within the rack was able to provide the equivalent of a standalone server computer including the variety of physical devices that may be attached thereto. For example, a standalone server may well include a disk drive, CD ROM drive, DVD ROM drive, or other such storage devices that may be accessed by users of the server computer.
However, when multiple server computers are mounted within a single rack, it is highly desirable to eliminate redundant devices, such as disk drives that may be utilized in the boot up process to load an operating system onto the server computer. The industry today has pushed the limits of density such that the functionality of a standalone server computer has been integrated onto a single plug-in card. These cards, often called “server blades,” allow for extremely high density computing resources within a single rack enclosure. This relatively high density of servers has also accelerated the desire to eliminate bulky hardware to a greater degree.
The present invention may address one or more of the above issues.