Bare Metal Disk Imaging for Faster Server Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring bare metal servers with an operating system is computationally expensive and time-consuming, leading to significant downtime and complexity in provisioning multiple servers.
Innovation Solution
A method for capturing a disk image of a first bare metal server and using it to provision other servers through a copy/paste functionality, minimizing server reboots and reducing configuration time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional operating system installation methods are used on bare metal servers, then the server can be configured with a complete operating system, but the process is computationally expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a master disk image containing a pre-configured operating system and storing it in a repository. When a new bare metal server needs to be provisioned, the system retrieves the pre-prepared disk image and applies it to the new server, eliminating the need to perform time-consuming OS installation and configuration steps from scratch during the provisioning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a bit-for-bit copy of a master disk image that contains a fully configured operating system. This disk image copy is then applied to multiple bare metal servers simultaneously, allowing rapid provisioning without repeating the entire OS installation process for each server.
2Productivity
If traditional server configuration methods are used, then servers can be set up with operating systems, but significant server downtime occurs during provisioning
Solution Approach 1:
The operating system and necessary configurations are prepared in advance as a master disk image stored in a repository. This allows new servers to be provisioned by simply applying the pre-prepared image rather than installing and configuring during operation, enabling servers to be spun up quickly with minimal or no downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
By copying the master disk image to new servers rather than performing live installation, the system eliminates lengthy configuration processes that would require server downtime. The copy operation can be performed rapidly, allowing servers to be brought online immediately without interrupting other services.
3Ease of operation
If manual operating system installation is performed on each bare metal server, then the server can be configured, but the process is complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The complex operating system installation and configuration tasks are performed in advance during the creation of the master disk image. This preliminary action encapsulates all necessary configuration steps into a single pre-prepared image, transforming the complex multi-step process into a simple one-click application when provisioning new servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent simplifies the configuration process by copying the master disk image to new servers. This single copying operation replaces the complex manual installation process, including OS installation, package installation, and configuration file creation, making server provisioning simple and automated.
4Loss of time
If disk image copying is used to provision servers, then configuration time is reduced, but the system requires a repository manager and continuous delivery mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a repository manager as an intermediary component that stores and manages disk images. This intermediary simplifies the overall process by providing a centralized location for retrieving pre-configured images, abstracting away the complexity of image storage, retrieval, and version management from the server provisioning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a universal disk image format and repository manager that can handle multiple server types and configurations. The continuous delivery mode provides a multi-functional framework that supports automated provisioning, version control, and rollbacks, making the system adaptable to various provisioning scenarios without requiring custom solutions for each case.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for capturing a disk image of a bare metal server, and then using the disk image to provision other bare metal servers. A method includes capturing a disk image of a first bare metal server and writing the disk image to a repository manager. The method includes launching a continuous delivery mode on a second bare metal server where the disk image is fetched from repository manager and written to second bare metal server, followed by configuring the unique identity.