Auto-rebuild using flash memory for a process based security system

Abstract

The disclosed system and method provides an auto-rebuild feature in a digital device including a first memory device and a second memory device. When the digital device is initialized, the digital device checks the first memory device to determine if the first memory device includes a first boot sequence. If the first boot sequence is present, the digital device is booted using the first boot sequence on the first memory device. If the boot sequence is not present, the digital device reads a second boot sequence from the second memory device. The digital device then boots using the second boot sequence. The booting process of the second boot sequence reformats the first memory device, reads software from the second memory device and stores the software on the first memory device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of providing an auto-rebuild feature in a digital device comprising the steps of: 
 initializing the digital device including a first memory device and a second memory device;    reading the first memory device to determine if the first memory device includes a first boot sequence;    if the first boot sequence is present, booting the digital device using the first boot sequence on the first memory device;    if the boot sequence is not present, reading a second boot sequence from the second memory device;    booting the digital device using the second boot sequence wherein said process of booting includes the steps of reformatting the first memory device, reading software from said second memory device and storing said software on said first memory device.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first memory device is a hard disk drive.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second memory device is a flash memory device.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said software is operating system software.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said operating system software includes process-based security protocols.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of checking, before booting the digital device using the first boot sequence, for a manual rebuild condition, such that if the manual rebuild condition is present, reading a second boot sequence from the second memory device and booting the digital device using the second boot sequence.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said digital device is a computer.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said digital device is a special purpose computer.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said special purpose computer is an Internet appliance.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said digital device is a web server.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said digital device is an email server.  
     
     
         12 . A digital device including an auto-rebuild feature comprising: 
 a processor;    a first memory device connected to said processor;    a first boot sequence stored on said first memory device;    a second memory device connected to said processor;    a second boot sequence stored on said second memory device;    wherein when said processor is initialized, the processor reads the first boot sequence stored on said first memory device such that if the reading of the first boot sequence fails, the processor reads the second boot sequence stored on said second memory device and executes said second boot sequence, wherein said second boot sequence causes said processor to reformat said first memory device and stores software on said reformatted first memory device.    
     
     
         13 . The digital device of  claim 12 , wherein said software stored on said reformatted first memory device includes a new first boot sequence.  
     
     
         14 . The digital device of  claim 12 , wherein said software stored on said reformatted first memory device includes operating system software.  
     
     
         15 . The digital device of  claim 12 , wherein said software stored on said reformatted first memory device includes process-based security protocols.  
     
     
         16 . The digital device of  claim 12 , wherein said digital device is a computer.  
     
     
         17 . The digital device of  claim 16 , wherein said computer is a special purpose computer.  
     
     
         18 . The digital device of  claim 16 , wherein said computer is a web server.  
     
     
         19 . The digital device of  claim 16 , wherein said computer is an email server.  
     
     
         20 . The digital device of  claim 12 , wherein said second memory device is a flash memory device.