OS-Independent Agent for Non-Volatile Storage Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for managing computing assets lack the ability to access and manage non-volatile storage independently of the operating system, limiting their functionality in scenarios such as asset management, network security, and recovery from system crashes.

Innovation Solution

A computing platform with an operating system independent agent that allows read and write access to non-volatile storage, enabling processes to execute independently of the operating system for tasks like asset management, network security, and system recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If asset management applications and network security applications rely on operating system processes to access computing assets, then they can utilize standard software interfaces, but they cannot execute independently when the operating system is unresponsive or crashed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem recovery capabilityVSAvoidoperating system independence

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into two independent components: the operating system processes and the operating system independent agent. The agent is implemented as a separate process that can execute independently of the operating system, allowing it to perform asset management and security functions even when the operating system is unresponsive or crashed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The operating system independent agent acts as an intermediary between external management applications and the computing platform resources. It provides a communication interface that allows asset management and network security applications to access hardware and software configuration information without relying on operating system processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the operating system independent agent is implemented to provide full access to non-volatile storage, then asset management and security functions can execute independently, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating system independenceVSAvoidagent implementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operating system independent agent is designed as a universal process capable of performing multiple functions including asset management, network security vulnerability discovery and patching, and system recovery operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized processes while maintaining operating system independence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7707586B2Operating system independent agent

Publication Date: 2010.04.27 TAHOE RES LTD

AI summary

Described is a computing platform comprising a host processing system to host an operating system, a communication adapter to transmit data to or and receive data from a data transmission medium, and a non-volatile storage. The computing platform may also comprise an agent executable independently of the operating system to enable read-only or read/write access to at least a portion of the non-volatile storage.