Parent-Child Disk Image Linkage for Coherent Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling system users face difficulties in maintaining compatibility across multiple systems due to the need for manual updates and modifications of disk images, leading to increased costs and potential inaccuracies in incorporating changes across all modified versions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a parent-child relationship between disk images, where an initial 'parent' image is created and modified, with predetermined linkage indicators ensuring that corresponding modifications are propagated to associated 'child' images, maintaining coherency across the image family.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual updates and modifications are applied to disk images, then customized features can be provided for particular applications, but the cost increases and the likelihood of inaccurate incorporation of modifications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the disk image management into parent images and child images, where parent images contain the base configuration and child images inherit from them. This segmentation allows modifications to be made once at the parent level and automatically propagated to multiple child images, eliminating manual updates to each individual image and ensuring consistent, accurate incorporation of modifications across all images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing the parent-child relationship structure before modifications are needed. The parent image is created and configured in advance with all base components, and the linkage to child images is pre-established. When modifications are required, they are automatically propagated to all child images without manual intervention, ensuring accuracy and reducing costs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual revisions are applied to multiple modified versions of an original image, then customized features can be provided, but added expense is incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating child images that are copies of the parent image structure. Instead of manually recreating or modifying each image individually, the system copies the parent image's manifest and automatically propagates modifications to all children. This copying mechanism dramatically reduces the expense of providing customized features across multiple images.
Solution Approach 2:
The parent image serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the source template for creating child images, the reference for propagating modifications, and the centralized location for maintaining consistency across the entire image family. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate manual management of each image, reducing costs while maintaining customization capability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If manual updates are applied to maintain compatibility across systems, then system coherence can be maintained, but the time and effort required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by establishing automatic propagation mechanisms where modifications to the parent image manifest are automatically detected and transmitted to all child image manifests. This feedback loop ensures that compatibility updates are consistently applied across all images without manual intervention, maintaining system coherence while eliminating the time loss associated with manual updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically maintaining compatibility across all images through the parent-child linkage mechanism. When the parent image is updated, the system automatically propagates these updates to all child images without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining system compatibility while eliminating the time-consuming manual update process.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is disclosed for managing disk images used to manufacture information handling machines. In various embodiments of the invention, a disk image is initially created using an image builder server. A “definition,” also known as a “manifest,” of the image is stored on the image builder server using XML. Once the image is verified and accepted as a base disk image, it is designated as the “parent” image. Subsequently, one or more “children” images are created by copying and modifying the manifest of the parent image and creating a new entry. Predetermined linkage indicators are used to designate the association of the parent image with one or more child images. When the parent image is modified, the linkage indicators are used to propagate corresponding modifications to the associated child images, thereby ensuring coherency in the family of images.