Partial Reboot Computing Device Configuration Change
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices experience prolonged downtime due to multiple reboots required for configuration changes, which can be critical in time-sensitive applications, and existing methods do not adequately minimize this downtime.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method where a computing device powers up, sets a flag indicating no need to reboot initially, and only partially restarts upon configuration changes, skipping unnecessary processes like firmware re-initialization and kernel loading, with components grouped into containers for selective restarts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the computing device reboots immediately after each configuration change, then the configuration change takes effect quickly, but the device experiences prolonged downtime with multiple reboots
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having all components load and make configuration changes during the boot process before any reboot occurs. Components are started sequentially, each making its configuration changes to shared resources, and only after all components have completed their configuration does a single reboot occur to apply all changes simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a partial reboot approach rather than a complete reboot after each configuration change. The reboot is performed only once after all configuration changes are made, and even then, only the necessary portions of the system are restarted rather than everything, reducing the overall downtime while ensuring configuration effectiveness.
2Loss of time
If the computing device waits until all components have loaded before rebooting, then the number of reboots is reduced, but the initial boot time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by having components load and configure during the initial boot process without interruption. Rather than stopping to reboot multiple times, the boot process continues uninterrupted with all components loading and making their configuration changes, then a single final reboot applies all changes simultaneously, reducing total downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
All configuration changes are performed as preliminary actions during the initial boot sequence before the final reboot. Components are started in sequence, each making its configuration changes to shared resources in advance, so that when the single reboot occurs, all changes are already prepared and can be applied together.
3Reliability
If firmware re-initialization and kernel loading are performed during each reboot, then the system ensures proper initialization, but the reboot process takes several minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a partial reboot rather than a complete reboot. Instead of re-initializing firmware and reloading the kernel every time, the system only restarts the necessary user-space components and services that need to pick up configuration changes. The core system firmware and kernel remain loaded, avoiding the several-minute initialization process while still ensuring proper configuration application.
Solution Approach 2:
The reboot process is segmented into essential and non-essential parts. The system identifies that firmware re-initialization and kernel loading are not necessary for most configuration changes, and separates these from the actual configuration application process. Only the minimal necessary components are restarted, while the core system remains running, dramatically reducing reboot duration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of initializing a computing device is provided. The method includes (a) powering up the computing device, (b) initially setting a flag to indicate no need to reboot the computing device, (c) sequentially starting a set of computing components operating on the computing device, (d) in response to one component of the set making a configuration change to the computing device, setting a flag to indicate a need to partially reboot the computing device, and (e) upon all components of the set of components completing to load, partially restarting the computing device conditioned on the flag indicating the need to partially reboot, partially restarting including sequentially restarting the set of computing components without powering up the computing device again. An apparatus, system, and computer program product for performing a similar method are also provided.