HTML5 KVM/vMedia Client Segmented Disk Image Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
HTML5 KVM/vMedia clients running in Web browsers face limitations in accessing physical disks and are constrained by the limited size of the browser's sandbox, making it difficult to handle large disk image files, which are often too large to be copied as a single file.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that expose virtual disk images by allowing the HTML5 KVM/vMedia client to select and transmit specific portions of the disk image file using a script engine within the Web browser, creating a new file in the sandbox and transmitting only the requested bytes to the remote device, enabling access and use of large disk image files during a KVM session.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the entire disk image file is copied into the Web browser's sandbox, then the remote device can access the complete disk image, but the sandbox size limit prevents copying large disk image files
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large disk image file into smaller segments or portions, copying only the necessary bytes into the browser sandbox at a time. The JavaScript engine reads specific byte ranges from the original disk image file and loads them into the sandbox, allowing the system to handle disk images of any size despite the sandbox's limited capacity.
2Ease of operation
If the HTML5 KVM/vMedia client accesses the physical disk directly, then it can read disk image files, but the Web browser sandbox security model prevents access to physical media devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the Web browser's file selection interface and the JavaScript engine as an intermediary mechanism. Instead of directly accessing physical disks (which is blocked by sandbox security), the system prompts the user to select the disk image file, then uses JavaScript to read the file contents and transfer them to the sandbox. This intermediary approach bypasses the sandbox restriction while maintaining security through user authorization.
3Reliability
If a single large file is copied into the sandbox, then the complete disk image is available, but the copying operation fails when the file exceeds sandbox capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmented file copying by reading the disk image file in specific byte ranges or chunks rather than attempting to copy the entire file at once. The JavaScript engine retrieves portions of the disk image file based on offset and length parameters, transferring only the necessary data segments into the sandbox. This approach ensures reliable operation for disk images of any size while maintaining efficient data transfer.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is disclosed for exposing virtual disk images on a user device, which is running an HTML5 KVM/vMedia client in a Web browser, and which has established a KVM session with a KVM device associated with a remote device. A selected disk image file is initially obtained by the user device and a message sent to the remote device that the disk image file is available for use. The HTML5 KVM/vMedia client exposes the disk image file for use to the remote device, which sends a message to the HTML5 KVM/vMedia client requesting a specific portion of the disk image file. The HTML5 KVM/vMedia client receives the message and a script engine running in the Web browser creates a new file available to the Web browser of just the portion requested by the remote device, which is then transmitted to the remote device.