..
    From: djb_at_redhat.com
    ..
    >     We load an initrd from the network (via the EtherBoot 4.0 package,
    > currently on a diskette but often stored on a boot ROM).
    
    This isn't Coda specific, but could you give us more details on this?  I
    knew that boot ROMs were an option for many ethernet cards, but I didn't
    realize you could get the same functionality with a floppy image.  Any
    pointers on this would be welcomed.
    ..

http://www.slug.org.au/etherboot/etherboot-4.0.tar.gz

In that package look at etherboot-4.0/bin/README.

Regards,
bruce.