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(multiboot.info)Boot modules

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Boot modules
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   Many modern operating system kernels, such as those of VSTa and
Mach, do not by themselves contain enough mechanism to get the system
fully operational: they require the presence of additional software
modules at boot time in order to access devices, mount file systems,
etc. While these additional modules could be embedded in the main OS
image along with the kernel itself, and the resulting image be split
apart manually by the operating system when it receives control, it is
often more flexible, more space-efficient, and more convenient to the
operating system and user if the boot loader can load these additional
modules independently in the first place.

   Thus, this specification should provide a standard method for a boot
loader to indicate to the operating system what auxiliary boot modules
were loaded, and where they can be found. Boot loaders don't have to
support multiple boot modules, but they are strongly encouraged to,
because some operating systems will be unable to boot without them.