Network Boot Emulator for Remote Software Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software provisioning methods lack adequate integration and automation, particularly for networks and machines that do not support network booting protocols, requiring additional resources and infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A provisioning server generates a network boot emulator that can be used to provision software on target machines, regardless of their existing software, by selecting and combining necessary software distributions, templates, and profiles, and delivering them via a network or portable storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If network booting protocols are used for software provisioning, then provisioning automation is improved, but device complexity increases due to requirement of pre-installed hardware and logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network boot emulator as an intermediary component that simulates network booting functionality on machines without native network boot support. This emulator acts as a mediator between the provisioning server and target machines, enabling automated software provisioning without requiring pre-installed network boot hardware or logic on the target devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of network booting functionality through the network boot emulator. Instead of requiring actual network boot hardware, the system generates an emulator that replicates the necessary booting behavior, allowing any machine to participate in automated provisioning regardless of its original hardware capabilities.
2Productivity
If network booting protocols are required for provisioning, then provisioning speed is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because not all networks and machines support the protocol
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal provisioning approach where the network boot emulator can operate on any machine regardless of its native boot capabilities. The system provides multi-functionality by supporting both traditional network booting and emulator-based booting, making the provisioning system adaptable to diverse network environments and machine types while maintaining efficient provisioning speeds.
3Ease of operation
If traditional provisioning tools are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but device complexity increases due to lack of integration and automation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple provisioning tasks into a single integrated system. By combining software selection, configuration, installation, and customization into one unified provisioning process managed by the provisioning server, the system reduces the complexity of managing separate tools while maintaining ease of operation through centralized control and automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A provisioning server can generate a network boot emulator configured to provision software for target machines that may not support network booting. The provisioning server can be configured to build the network boot emulator in a format that is usable by target machines regardless of the software available on the target machines. The network boot emulator can include instructions necessary to locate and access software distributions, combine software distributions according to the templates or profiles in order to generate a software installation, and install the software installation on a target machine. The network boot emulator can also include instructions necessary to configure the software installation.