[Etherboot-developers] Re: 3Com MBA+nbi image support patch

[Michael G. <mge...@so...>]

On Wed, 22 Jan 2003 eth...@li... wrote:

> To: eth...@li...
> Cc: P.L...@sy...
> Subject: Re: [Etherboot-developers] 3Com MBA image support... 
> Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 15:38:37 +0000
> From: Peter Lister <P.L...@sy...>
> 
> 
> > So I've glued in support for recognising and booting 3Com MBA+nbi
> > linux kernel images.  What would be the best way to submit a patch?
> 
> Could you explain why Etherboot should boot these images. Why would
> anyone bother if they are already NBI formatted?

Aha!  Good question.  Short answer: interoperability.

Long answer: I have an embedded system with legacy components which
boot using 3Com MBA ROMs.  I am designing replacement components which we
do not want to purchase rolls of 3Com ROMs for.  Instead we've elected to
go with etherboot.  However, one of the requirements is that the new and
legacy components must be able to coexist with no changes to the boot
server, hence the preceeding patch.

It is possible to further modify the MBA probe code to support an MBA only
boot, but I do not have the time (nor the mandate :) to do that at
present.

Thanks for your interest!