For new install and first (cold) boot for a Multics system, the system is loaded from a Multics System Tape. As part of this process, the entire MST is loaded i

For new install and first (cold) boot for a Multics system, the system is loaded from a Multics System Tape. As part of this process, the entire MST is loaded in Multics memory; Multics is partially started up to configure all of hardcore for the current hardware configuration; Multics then transfers back to BCE without shutdown. BCE captures this configured Multics hardcore memory image, and saves it to a file in the BCE disk partition. BCE then returns control to Multics hardcore, so it can continue system start-up. Subsequent (fast) boots from BCE boot the preconfigured Multics memory image, loading it from disk into memory, and transferring into the image, just as was done when the image was first saved.