Automated OS Provisioning via Storage Priority Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing zero-touch operating system provisioning methods lack flexibility in selecting specific storage types for installation, leading to inefficient management of storage configurations in scaled environments, where different servers have varied storage types, and require user intervention to configure storage devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a storage-type priority order to automatically select the appropriate storage device for operating system installation, using unique identifiers specific to each storage type, allowing for seamless OS installation across diverse storage configurations without user input, by scanning available devices and skipping non-present types in the priority order.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If zero-touch provisioning is used for operating system installation, then automation level is improved, but flexibility in selecting specific storage types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a priority order parameter that defines the preferred sequence of storage types for OS installation. By changing the selection criterion from random or first-available storage to a prioritized sequence, the system maintains automation while enabling flexible adaptation to different storage configurations through the priority ordering mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects storage devices based on the priority order and availability detection. The provisioning process adapts to different storage configurations by scanning available devices and selecting according to the defined priority, making the automated system versatile across various storage types without requiring manual configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If storage devices are manually configured for OS installation, then flexibility in storage selection is improved, but user intervention and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The priority order of storage types is predetermined and configured in advance before the OS installation process. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for manual storage device selection during installation, as the system automatically follows the pre-defined priority sequence, thereby reducing user intervention and time consumption while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting available storage devices and selecting the appropriate one based on the pre-defined priority order. This eliminates the need for manual configuration during installation, reducing both time consumption and user intervention while preserving the flexibility to handle various storage configurations autonomously.
3Productivity
If first-available storage device is used for OS installation, then installation speed is improved, but storage configuration management deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the selection parameter from simple first-available storage to prioritized storage types. By introducing the priority order parameter, the system maintains efficient installation speeds while improving storage configuration management, as the prioritization logic provides structured control over which storage devices receive OS installations versus data storage assignments.
Data Source
AI summary
A system can determine a priority order of storage devices for installation of an operating system on targeted storage. The system can further communicate with a target server to determine a group of storage devices accessible by the target server. The system can further identify a storage device of the group of storage devices that has a highest priority for operating system installation. The system can further determine a unique identifier of the storage device. The system can further install the operating system on the storage device using the unique identifier.