Managing adaptive reboots on multiple storage processors

A technique for managing a boot process on a data storage system having multiple storage processors is disclosed. A first storage processor communicatively coupled to and directs a second storage processor to perform one or more boot sequences. Elapsed time and timeout variables and an empty set of boot states are provided. After sleeping for a predetermined time the elapsed time variable is incremented. If the boot state of the second processor is not successful, the technique determines if the current boot state is a new boot state, and if so, the new boot state is added to the set of boot states and the elapsed time value is reset. The timeout value is set equal to the user defined value. If the elapsed time is less than the timeout value, the technique loops back to the sleep state and continues thereon, else if greater that the timeout value, a failure is indicated.