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Bootloader
From NetSec
Revision as of 15:00, 24 April 2012 by MinnaBeauvais (Talk | contribs)
A bootloader is the code that runs prior to the loading of the OS. Bootloaders are required for every operating system. Bootloaders perform some necessary initial functions prior to booting into the operating system. This is referred to as bootstrapping.
Computers require software to be loaded to function (the operating system) however they must have some software loaded to load other software. This is provided in several fragmented stages. An example boot process is as follows:
- System - BIOS / Boot Monitor
- Stage I Bootloader - HDD Master Boot Record (MBR)
- Stage II Bootloader - NTLDR, GRUB, LILO, etc.
- Kernel - NT, Linux, BSD, etc.
- Init - User Space
