Universal Disk Image Driver Configuration for Multi-Platform Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network administrators face challenges in efficiently installing and updating software applications and drivers across multiple thin client devices with different hardware platforms, as existing methods require creating multiple disk images or individual installations, which are time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for creating a master disk image that includes device drivers for multiple hardware platforms, using a device driver configuration file to identify and install only the necessary drivers on each target device, thereby reducing storage space and minimizing driver conflicts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a disk image is created for a single hardware platform, then the image can be properly configured for that specific platform, but a different image must be created for each different hardware platform, resulting in a large number of images needing to be created and managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal disk image that can be deployed across multiple hardware platforms by incorporating a hardware detection mechanism that automatically identifies the target platform and loads the appropriate drivers from within the image, eliminating the need to create separate images for each platform
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a driver store and hardware detection intermediary layer within the disk image that mediates between the generic image and specific hardware platforms, automatically matching drivers to detected hardware components during deployment
2Adaptability or versatility
If a disk image includes drivers for multiple hardware platforms, then a single image can be used across different platforms, but the image file size becomes very large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the driver components into a shared kernel/image portion and platform-specific driver portions that are organized in a driver store, allowing the system to load only the necessary driver segments for the detected hardware platform rather than including all drivers in the main image
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts platform-specific drivers from the main disk image into a separate driver store, keeping the core image compact while maintaining the capability to load required drivers during deployment based on hardware detection
3Reliability
If administrators individually install or update software applications and drivers on each device, then each device can be properly configured, but the process becomes prohibitively time-consuming especially when large numbers of devices are concerned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the disk image with a comprehensive driver store containing drivers for multiple platforms and embedding hardware detection capabilities, so that during deployment the system automatically completes the configuration without requiring manual intervention for each device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by incorporating automatic hardware detection and driver installation capabilities within the disk image itself, allowing the image to automatically configure itself on the target device based on detected hardware without administrator intervention
Data Source
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AI summary
The installation of a disk image onto a client device having a hardware platform of a particular class is described, where the disk image includes a driver-store having a plurality of drivers for a plurality of hardware platforms. The disk image is stored on the client device, and at least one driver from the driver-store is installed on the client device based on the hardware platform of the client device. A device driver configuration file is retrieved, wherein the device driver configuration file identifies one or more drivers associated with a class of hardware platforms, and identifies one or more common drivers shared by two or more of the plurality of hardware platforms. Drivers identified in the device driver configuration file and that are neither associated with the class of the client device, nor associated with the platform of the client device, are removed from the driver-store.