Filter Driver Booting from Central Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Windows operating systems do not support booting from central storage or image streaming, limiting the ability to load operating systems from network storage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a filter driver that directs file system calls to a central storage unit, allowing the loading of operating system files from central storage, even for Windows systems, by separating files into sets where critical components like the boot loader and kernel are loaded from local storage, and the majority of files are loaded from central storage using the filter driver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If Windows operating systems use traditional booting from local storage, then the system can reliably load the boot loader and kernel, but the system cannot boot from central storage or network storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebooting capabilityVSAvoidboot process reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a filter driver as an intermediary component that mediates between the Windows boot process and central storage. This filter driver is loaded into the system and intercepts file system calls, redirecting them to central storage locations. By using this intermediary, the system maintains compatibility with Windows boot requirements while enabling network-based file loading, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the operating system files into two distinct sets: a first set containing critical boot components (boot loader, kernel, boot time drivers) that are loaded from local storage, and a second set containing the majority of files that are loaded from central storage. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable local booting for critical components while enabling centralized storage for non-critical files, thereby achieving both reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If all operating system files are stored on local storage, then the boot process is fast and reliable, but centralized management and security scanning become inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot speedVSAvoidcentralized management efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides operating system files into critical components stored locally for fast booting and non-critical files stored centrally for efficient management. This segmentation allows the system to load critical files from local storage quickly while enabling administrators to manage and scan non-critical files centrally, thus resolving the contradiction between boot speed and centralized management efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by storing critical boot files locally for fast access during booting, while storing non-critical files centrally for managed access. This differentiated storage approach ensures that local storage is used optimally for performance-critical operations, while centralized storage provides efficient management capabilities for less time-sensitive files.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If image streaming is used to load operating systems from central storage, then centralized management is improved, but not all operating systems support this technique

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized storage supportVSAvoiddriver requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal solution by using a filter driver that works with the existing Windows file system architecture. Instead of requiring proprietary image streaming drivers for each operating system, the filter driver provides a universal interface that redirects all file system calls to central storage. This approach enables centralized storage support across different Windows versions without requiring complex OS-specific drivers, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8171278B2Booting a computer system from central storage

Publication Date: 2012.05.01 VMWARE INC

AI summary

A filter driver that is loaded during an initial part of the boot process enable operating systems that are not capable of booting from central storage to be booted from central storage. According to this technique, an initial set of operating system files is loaded into system memory from a local storage volume. The initial set of files includes a small subset of all of the operating system files and includes a boot loader, a kernel, boot time drivers, a file system driver, and a filter driver. The filter driver takes control over the loading of the remainder of the operating system files, so that these files are loaded from central storage instead of the local storage volume.