1. A method of installing an image of system software, comprising: prior to booting the system software: (i) loading an executable image of the system software using a boot loader, wherein the executable image includes a kernel of the system software, (ii) executing the kernel of the system software, and (iii) generating the image of the system software from the loaded executable image that includes a copy of the kernel; and storing the image of the system software in a storage device from which the system software is to be booted.