Hybrid Boot Reimaging With Proximity-Based Secure Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote bootstrapping of teleworking devices faces challenges such as network instability, security risks, and difficulty in providing real-time support due to the remote nature of teleworking environments, especially when dealing with non-technical end-users.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid boot platform using a mobile application on a teleworker's device to provide a boot file for an intermediate operating system, which performs a user presence check and securely transfers a customized system image to reimagine the target device, utilizing network and removable storage options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If remote bootstrapping is performed over network, then deployment time is reduced and on-site intervention is minimized, but network instability and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hybrid boot mechanism that acts as an intermediary between remote network bootstrapping and local system operations. The mobile device serves as a mediator that can provide boot files locally when network conditions are poor, while still enabling remote deployment capabilities. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to switch between network-based and local-based bootstrapping depending on network stability.
2Ease of operation
If remote bootstrapping is performed over network, then on-site intervention is minimized, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by storing boot files locally on the mobile device rather than relying solely on remote network access. This creates a security boundary where sensitive system images can be securely stored and transferred only when needed, rather than being continuously exposed over the network. The mobile device becomes a secure local repository that mitigates network-based security risks while maintaining remote management capabilities.
3Reliability
If hybrid boot with user presence check is implemented, then security is enhanced by ensuring only authorized devices access sensitive information, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid boot mechanism implements self-service by automatically performing user presence checks and determining whether to proceed with boot file transfer based on proximity detection. The system autonomously evaluates security conditions and adjusts its behavior without requiring manual intervention, thereby enhancing security while keeping the user interface simple. The complexity is managed internally through automated proximity-based authentication.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are disclosed for employing a hybrid boot to reimage a target device using a mobile device. A mobile device provides, to a target device, a boot file configured to execute an intermediate operating system. The mobile device performs a user presence check to determine whether the target device is in proximity to the mobile device. Responsive to determining that the target device is in proximity to the mobile device, the mobile device provides, to the intermediate operating system on the target device, transfer information associated with at least a first restricted-access portion of a customized system image to cause the intermediate operating system to obtain the first restricted-access portion of the customized system image and reimage the target device based at least on the first restricted-access portion of the customized system image.