>>>In short: kexec allows linux to return to real-mode, reset the hardware, >>>and boot other OS. >>>So there would be a linux-partition of, say, at most 8MB, with an initrd >>>image, a minimal kernel with kexec, and the rest of the harddisk could be >>>used at will. >> >>Just to get it right: you boot a normal linux first, then you can boot >>another linux from a this running linux ? That would be similar to that >>what loadlin does when it boots linux from windows ... > > AFAIK you can boot (nearly) every operating system from there ... it's like > the call the mbr or bootsector would do.
I have found a very interesting project that boot's an executable with the help of the bootloader grub fron any filesystem ( windows and linux ). This executable then could check smartcards on the seriell or usb port before it starts another operating system. There would be no need to boot any operating system before authentication takes place.
This project is actually a mini game and called "invaders" - the author is Erik Thiele. you can download the sources from his website: http://www.erikyyy.de/invaders/ Actually, it is very interesting to read the sources -> they are very simple and you can learn a lot of them.
The so booted executable could initialize a serial driver ( must be very similar to the kernels serial console ) and the driver for the smartcard reader. The rest would be kind of sending a fixed set of apuds to the seriel reader. When authentication is done the operating system will be booted. Ok, I know that is wont't be that simple ... :-)
Such a thing could also be implemented in a linux bios. Then the executable would be on the bios chip, which would be more safe.
Regards,
Arno
-- Mr Arno Wilhelm phion Information Technologies GmbH System Engineer Eduard-Bodem-Gasse 1 A-6020 Innsbruck www.phion.com tel: +43 512 39 45 45 fax: +43 512 39 45 45 20
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