Disk Distribution System Differential OS Image Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disk distribution techniques are inefficient for large-scale deployment of operating systems to client terminals due to high data size requirements, slow network transfer rates, and the need for frequent updates, which results in prolonged distribution times and hardware configuration limitations.
Innovation Solution
A disk distribution system utilizing a master server that manages OS image data and differential data, allowing terminals to receive only differential updates over the network, enabling local booting without network connectivity and accommodating diverse hardware configurations through a difference management mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disk distribution technique is used to distribute OS image data to a large number of terminals, then terminals can boot locally without network connectivity, but the distribution time becomes extremely long due to large data size (50 GB to 100 GB)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the OS image data into two parts: master data (common to all terminals) and differential data (specific to each terminal). The master data contains the base OS image, while differential data contains terminal-specific configurations. This segmentation allows terminals to receive only the essential boot data quickly, with full functionality restored through differential data application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the OS image (master data) that is sufficient for booting, rather than distributing the complete OS image. This copy contains only the essential system files needed for booting, significantly reducing data size and distribution time while maintaining local boot capability.
2Ease of operation
If unicast distribution is used to transfer OS image data from master server to terminals, then data can be transferred over network, but the transfer rate per terminal is significantly reduced due to network bandwidth restriction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the necessary portion of the OS image data (master data) rather than the complete image. This partial transmission provides sufficient information for booting, achieving the required functionality with reduced data volume and faster transfer rates over the network.
3Productivity
If common OS image data is updated on the master server, then updated content is immediately reflected, but the disk distribution technique requires restarting distribution from the beginning for each terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the updated portions of the OS image as differential data, separating them from the master data. When updates occur, only the differential data needs to be redistributed to terminals, while the master data remains unchanged. This extraction approach eliminates the need to restart complete distribution and enables efficient incremental updates.
4Reliability
If OS image data is distributed using recording media, then data can be delivered to terminals, but a large number of recording media are required to be prepared
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital copying of the master data to multiple terminals over the network, replacing the need for physical recording media. This electronic copying mechanism eliminates the complexity of preparing, managing, and distributing large numbers of physical media while maintaining reliable data delivery capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A disk distribution system, assuming “local-boot”, that is capable of efficiently executing an update or a generation management of OS image data. The disk distribution system includes at least one master server that is connected with a plurality of terminals through the network, in which OS image data including an operating system for the terminals is processed as the master data managed by the master server, and a copy of the data for a copy of the data converted into a predetermined format) is deployed as a boot image for the terminals. When the master data is updated, the terminals receive differential data reflecting the update to the master data through the network from the master server while the terminals are operating, and the boot images of the terminals are updated by rebooting the terminals.