1

: A method of booting a computer system comprising:receiving at least part of a boot image via a network communication that utilizes a messaging protocol; and

using the boot image to boot a computer system.

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2

: The method of Claim 1, wherein the messaging protocol includes an email protocol.

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3

: The method of Claim 1, further including:determining if a boot image is locally available; and

if so, selecting between the locally available boot image and a remotely available boot image that may be received, at least in part, via a network communication that utilizes a messaging protocol.

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4

: The method of Claim 1, wherein receiving at least part of a boot image via a network communication that utilizes a messaging protocol includes:establishing the computer system on a network;

discovering a boot image server;

requesting at least part of a boot image from the boot image server; and

receiving at least part of the boot image via a network communication that utilizes a messaging protocol.

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5

: The method of Claim 4, wherein discovering a boot image server and requesting at least part of a boot image from the boot image server includes:sending a message to an expected boot image server, wherein the message requests at least part of the boot image.

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6

: The method of Claim 5, wherein sending a message includes sending a message that includes information about the computer system that is expected to facilitate that selection by the boot image server of a boot image from a plurality of possible boot images.

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7

: The method of Claim 3, wherein a boot image is constructed from a first portion of the boot image which is locally available and a second portion of the boot image which is received, at least in part, via a network communication that utilizes a messaging protocol.

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8

: The method of Claim 4, wherein establishing the computer system on a network includes utilizing a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP);wherein discovering a boot image server includes transmitting a broadcast discovery request;

requesting at least part of a boot image from the boot image server includes sending an email request; and

receiving at least part of the boot image via a network communication that utilizes a messaging protocol includes utilizing the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).

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9

: An apparatus comprising:a network interface, capable of facilitating communication with a boot image server;

a processor, capable of executing a firmware; and

the firmware, capable ofreceiving at least part of a boot image via a network communication that utilizes a messaging protocol; and

using the boot image to boot the apparatus.

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10

: The apparatus of Claim 9, wherein the messaging protocol includes an email protocol.

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