Persistent Storage Boot Recovery for Primary Failure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems often become unusable when a primary storage resource fails, especially in remote or travel scenarios, leading to data loss and productivity disruptions.
Innovation Solution
An information handling system comprising a processor, memory, primary storage resource, and persistent storage resource, where the primary storage resource boots a first operating system normally and the persistent storage resource stores backup data and a second operating system to provide access to backup data in case of primary storage failure, allowing continued system access and data recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system uses only primary storage resource for data storage and operating system, then the system structure is simple and cost-effective, but the system becomes unusable when primary storage resource fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring a persistent storage resource with a second operating system and backup data before any failure occurs. This persistent storage resource is prepared in advance as a recovery mechanism, allowing the system to immediately boot from the second operating system when primary storage fails, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The persistent storage resource acts as an intermediary between the primary storage resource and the system recovery process. It mediates the failure scenario by providing an alternative boot path and data access mechanism, enabling system continuity without requiring complex redundant storage arrays or RAID configurations.
2Reliability
If the system implements backup storage and secondary operating system for failure recovery, then the system reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The persistent storage resource is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a backup storage medium and as a bootable system repository. The second operating system on persistent storage can function as both a recovery environment and a productive work environment, eliminating the need for separate backup infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by maintaining a second operating system and backup data on persistent storage resource. This copy enables the system to replicate the primary storage functionality through the persistent storage, providing fault tolerance through data and system image duplication without requiring complex real-time synchronization mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the system relies on primary storage resource for all data access, then the data access speed is fast, but data loss occurs when primary storage fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring the primary storage resource for failures and maintaining a ready-to-boot second operating system on persistent storage. When failure is detected, the system has already prepared the recovery environment, eliminating data loss and minimizing downtime through pre-configured backup capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The persistent storage resource serves as an intermediary that prevents data loss by providing an alternative data access path. When primary storage fails, the second operating system on persistent storage mediates data access, allowing users to retrieve backup data and continue work without experiencing data loss or significant downtime.
4Productivity
If the system implements monitoring and automatic switching to second operating system, then the productivity is maintained during failure, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically monitoring the primary storage resource for failures and autonomously switching to the second operating system on persistent storage without requiring user intervention. The boot process automatically detects storage failures and redirects to the persistent storage boot path, maintaining productivity through automated failure response while keeping the switching mechanism relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for reducing problems and disadvantages associated with traditional approaches to data and program storage on an information handling system are provided. A method may include determining if a primary storage resource has a failure. The method may further include, in response to determining that the storage resource does not have a failure: booting from a first operating system stored on the primary storage resource, monitoring data stored to the primary storage resource to identify data to be copied to a persistent storage resource, and copying the identified data to the persistent storage resource. The method may further include, in response to determining that the storage resource has a failure: booting from a second operating system stored on the persistent storage resource, and via the second operating system, providing access to the copied identified data copied to the persistent storage resource.