Configuration File Extraction for Windows Embedded Image Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
In enterprise environments, managing configuration changes on client devices with embedded images is inefficient due to the need for manual reinstallation of large images, especially when changes are frequent or minor, and the write-filter prevents persistent changes across reboots, making it impractical to apply updates to multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A system that automatically retrieves and applies configuration changes from a remote repository server to a Windows-based embedded image during boot-up, allowing for persistent changes without reinstalling the entire image, using a retrieval module to locate the configuration file and an apply settings module to parse and apply the changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual installation of software or drivers and/or firmware update of the entire image is performed, then configuration changes can be applied, but bandwidth consumption and time required increase significantly due to the large size of embedded images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary configuration data from the entire embedded image, separating it into a standalone configuration file that can be downloaded independently. This allows applying configuration changes without transferring the complete image, significantly reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining the ability to apply updates reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded image is segmented into two components: the base image and the configuration file. This segmentation enables independent updates of configuration data without requiring updates to the entire image, reducing the amount of data that needs to be transferred and applied.
2Reliability
If manual installation of software or drivers and/or firmware update of the entire image is performed, then configuration changes can be applied, but time consumption increases significantly especially when changes are frequent
Solution Approach 1:
Configuration data is extracted from the entire image update process, allowing only the configuration file to be downloaded and applied. This extraction enables frequent configuration updates without the time penalty of transferring and installing complete images, while ensuring reliable application of changes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying the entire image update, only the necessary configuration portion is applied. This partial action approach reduces update time significantly for frequent configuration changes while maintaining the reliability of the update process through automated retrieval and application mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If write-filter is used to prevent changes to embedded image, then image integrity is maintained, but persistent configuration changes across reboot become impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a configuration file as an intermediary between the write-filtered embedded image and the need for persistent changes. Configuration data is stored externally in the configuration file, which can be updated and applied without violating the write-filter restriction, thereby enabling persistent configuration changes while maintaining image integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves configuration storage to another dimension - from within the write-protected embedded image to an external configuration file that can be freely updated. This dimensional shift allows persistent configuration changes without compromising the stability and integrity of the original embedded image.
4Reliability
If entire embedded image is downloaded and installed, then complete update is achieved, but bandwidth consumption increases due to large image size
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration file is extracted as a separate, standalone component from the complete embedded image. This extraction enables downloading and applying only the necessary configuration updates without transferring the entire image, achieving complete configuration updates with minimal bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The update process is segmented into base image (installed once) and configuration file (updated frequently). This segmentation allows the system to achieve complete and reliable updates by applying only the configuration portion, significantly reducing bandwidth consumption compared to downloading entire images.
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples of methods and apparatus are provided for automatic retrieval, parsing and application of configuration for a specific-purpose local client having a windows-based embedded image with a write-filter while obviating reinstallation of an entire windows-based embedded image onto the local client and while allowing persistent configuration change across a reboot. The apparatus may include a retrieval module of the local client configured to, each time the local client boots up, automatically locate a remote repository server containing a configuration file and automatically obtain the configuration file from the repository server over a network. The apparatus may include an apply settings module of the local client configured to, each time the local client boots up, automatically load the configuration file, automatically parse at least a portion of the configuration file, and automatically apply, to the embedded image, a configuration change based on the at least a portion of the configuration file.