Chapter 3. The Boot Process

Table of Contents
Startup
First Stage Boot Loader
Second Stage Boot Loader
Boot Configuration

The boot process Nilo follows is heavily influenced by the Intel PXE specification. This defines the actual commands and options that must be passed. For more information, go to the chapter on PXE Compliance.

Nilo uses a two stage boot loader. There are several reasons for this. The main one is it keeps the initial stage much smaller, which is good for small ROMs. It will also support menus easier, as well as OS specific loaders.

Startup

Startup can either be from a ROM, a boot floppy, or netbooted. The initial boot floppy or ROM will load the first stage boot loader. from one of these sources.