OS Installation from Logical Volumes via Modified Initramfs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operating system distributions do not support installation from an ISO image located on a LVM-controlled partition, leading to inefficient and undesirable alternatives for OS installation in LVM-based storage environments, as existing boot partitions are too small and provisioning physical volumes is slow and laborious.

Innovation Solution

The method involves extracting an initial volatile memory disk from an OS installation image, adding a logical volume binary and shared libraries, and repackaging it to create a modified initial volatile memory disk, which is then stored on a boot partition and used to perform OS installation from a logical volume, allowing OS installation or updating from an LVM-controlled partition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If OS installation is attempted from an ISO image on a LVM-controlled partition, then installation flexibility is improved, but the system lacks support and requires complex workarounds

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveOS installation flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by extracting and modifying the initial volatile memory disk before the OS installation process begins. The logical volume binary and shared libraries are added to the initial volatile memory disk in advance, so that when installation proceeds, the LVM support is already integrated and no complex runtime workarounds are needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the initial volatile memory disk as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the OS installation application and the LVM-controlled storage environment. By injecting the logical volume binary into this intermediary layer, the system enables communication between the installer and LVM without requiring changes to either the installer core or the LVM subsystem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a standard boot partition is used for OS installation, then simplicity is maintained, but the partition size is insufficient for ISO image storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepartition structure simplicityVSAvoidboot partition capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the nested doll principle by placing the ISO image on a LVM logical volume while embedding the necessary LVM support components (logical volume binary and shared libraries) within the initial volatile memory disk that resides on the boot partition. This nested structure allows the small boot partition to maintain its simplicity while the outer LVM layer provides the required storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of stationary object

If physical volumes are provisioned for OS installation, then storage capacity is sufficient, but the provisioning process is slow and laborious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidprovisioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by placing the ISO image on an existing LVM logical volume rather than creating new physical volumes. The initial volatile memory disk is extracted, modified with LVM support components, and repackaged to work with the existing logical volume structure, eliminating the time-consuming physical volume provisioning process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Adaptability or versatility

If LVM binaries and libraries are added to the initial volatile memory disk, then LVM support is enabled, but the disk structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLVM compatibilityVSAvoidinitial volatile memory disk structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining the logical volume binary and shared libraries with the existing initial volatile memory disk components during the extraction and repackaging process. This unified approach integrates LVM support into the single initial volatile memory disk image, avoiding the need for separate configuration files or multiple disk images.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10127029B1Operating system installation using logical volumes

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 COHESITY INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and processes to support hard drive installation of an operating system from a logical volume partition. An initial volatile memory disk is extracted from an operating system (OS) installation image. A logical volume binary and shared libraries are added to the extracted initial volatile memory disk and then executed. Executing the logical volume binary and the shared libraries modifies a process performed by an OS installation application. The extracted initial volatile memory disk is then repackaged into a modified initial volatile memory disk.