N-way Desktop Image Synchronization via Layered Cloning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for providing corporate computing access to tablet users face challenges such as compatibility with non-Windows operating systems, limited write capabilities, security hazards, and high costs associated with centralized virtual desktop infrastructure, which result in poor user experience and resource wastage.
Innovation Solution
A Cloning and Synchronization System (CSS) that allows universal access to a centralized desktop image while enabling native user experience through local execution on heterogeneous devices, using a CSS server in the data center and a CSS client on each target device, with near-continuous synchronization of user content and lazy synchronization of system content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a centralized virtual desktop infrastructure is used to provide corporate computing access to tablet users, then universal access to corporate environment is achieved, but infrastructure costs and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the desktop environment into multiple independent images that can be assigned to different devices. Each device maintains its own local desktop image rather than connecting to a centralized virtual desktop, dividing the corporate computing environment into distributed segments that reduce centralized infrastructure demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and distributes copies of desktop images to multiple endpoint devices. Instead of requiring users to connect to a centralized virtual desktop, local copies are provisioned to tablets and other devices, enabling universal access without the need for expensive centralized virtualization infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If remote desktop protocol is used to connect tablet to personal PC, then access to corporate environment is enabled, but user experience deteriorates due to latency and bandwidth constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-provisioning complete desktop images to endpoint devices before users need to access them. Desktop images are downloaded and cached locally in advance, so when users need to access their corporate environment, the data is already available locally rather than requiring real-time network communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the desktop environment from the network-dependent remote desktop model and places it locally on endpoint devices. By taking out the desktop image from the centralized remote system and storing it locally, the system eliminates the latency and bandwidth constraints inherent in remote desktop protocols.
3Adaptability or versatility
If centralized virtual desktop is used for all devices, then access uniformity is achieved, but device-specific optimization and native execution are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by tailoring the desktop image provisioning to each specific device type. Different desktop images can be optimized for different device characteristics (tablet, PC, Mac), allowing each device to run its native operating system while accessing a customized version of the corporate desktop environment that leverages device-specific capabilities.
4Stability of the object's composition
If complete desktop image synchronization is performed across all devices, then data consistency is achieved, but network bandwidth and synchronization time are excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by synchronizing only the portions of the desktop image that have actually changed between devices. Rather than performing complete image transfers, the system identifies and synchronizes only the modified files and directories, reducing network bandwidth consumption while maintaining data consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for n-way cloning and synchronization of a user desktop image are provided. Example embodiments provide a Cloning and Synchronization System (“CSS”) which binds a server stored CVD object representing the user's desktop image to one or more endpoint devices. Each endpoint device receives a clone of the CVD object that comprises one or more layers of the server CVD depending upon the suitability of the endpoint device hardware and operating system to the server stored desktop. The cloned CVDs in the endpoint devices are then kept synchronized by synchronization operations. In one embodiment, the CSS allows only one endpoint device to act as a master device and push up changes to the server CVD. These changes are then pushed down to the other devices using different synchronization methods dependent upon the layer.