Selective loading of components within a node to speed up maintenance actions

A method includes identifying a subset of components of a node that should be loaded during the next boot of the node, storing a list of the identified subset of components in a file outside of a basic input output system, and initiating boot of the node. The method further comprises the basic input output system accessing the file and controlling boot of the node to load only the identified subset of components of the node. Another method stores a plurality of such files, wherein each file is associated with maintenance of a target component of the node. After selecting one of the files, the basic input output system may access the selected file and control boot of the node to load only the subset of components that the selected file indicates should be loaded for purposes of a maintaining or testing the target component.