Online Desktop Distribution Without Rebooting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing online desktop distributions require rebooting and cannot provide all necessary applications, making them inconvenient for users who need specific software not pre-installed.
Innovation Solution
An online desktop distribution system that uses a client with an online desktop distributor featuring an operating system with kernels compiled for usermode, allowing the system to run without installation or reboot, and a server that stores and uploads user profiles and applications, enabling seamless configuration and additional application downloads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stripped-down Linux distro is used on a bootable storage device to provide online desktop access, then portability and ease of access are improved, but the system requires rebooting and cannot provide all necessary applications
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two parts: a minimal bootable distribution on local storage for portability, and a comprehensive application repository on remote servers for versatility. The local system handles booting and basic operations, while the remote system provides additional applications and user data, resolving the contradiction between portability and application availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bootable storage device contains a universal boot environment that can operate in multiple modes: standalone minimal desktop mode for portability, and networked mode that accesses remote servers to provide comprehensive application availability. This multi-functionality allows the same system to adapt to different user needs without requiring separate systems.
2Ease of operation
If a bootable storage device with minimal Linux distro is used, then system portability is improved, but the requirement for rebooting reduces convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the bootable storage device with essential system components and user profile data before actual use. User configurations, applications, and data are pre-synchronized with remote servers during idle periods or initial setup, so that when the system boots, everything is ready immediately without requiring rebooting to apply changes or load additional components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If applications are pre-installed on the bootable device, then application availability is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the comprehensive application repository from the local bootable device and places it on remote servers. The local device keeps only the essential minimal Linux distro needed for booting and basic operations, while additional applications are accessed remotely when needed. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining application availability through remote access while keeping device size and complexity minimal.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for an online desktop distribution is described. In one embodiment, an online desktop operates on a client with an online desktop distributor having an operating system with one or more kernels compiled for usermode. A server coupled to the client stores and uploads a user profile setting to the client to configure the online desktop on the client based on a user login on the online desktop. The online desktop can be booted from the client with the online desktop distributor or run as a hosted operating system in usermode under a default operating system of the client.