Portable Desktop Provisioning via Local Storage Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for providing portable desktops are impractical due to security lapses, high costs, and inconvenience, especially when managing multiple users, as they require frequent disk drive configurations and custom software installations, which burden IT resources and compromise security.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for pre-provisioning peripheral portable desktop devices with secured data, where the data is stored on a portable storage medium that can only be accessed with user authorization, allowing for parallel provisioning and secure management of multiple devices without sacrificing security or convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If portable desktops are achieved by storing personalized file system or directory in network, then users can access personal data on multiple computers, but security lapses occur allowing administrators to read user personal data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts personal desktop data from network storage and places it on locally attached storage devices (LSDs) that users control. This removes the vulnerability to network-based administrative access while maintaining portability across computers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces portable storage devices as intermediaries between users and network computers. These devices act as secure local repositories that can be physically controlled by users, preventing unauthorized network access while enabling cross-computer portability.
2Reliability
If personal data device drive is distributed to each user, then security is improved, but cost and inconvenience increase due to requiring field installs and disk drive configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to self-provision their portable desktops by simply attaching LSDs to any computer. The system automatically recognizes and configures the storage devices without requiring users to perform complex field installs or disk drive configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal portable desktop solution that works across different computer platforms and operating systems. The LSDs can be attached to any computer with appropriate connectivity, eliminating the need for device-specific configurations or installations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If portable desktop application and data are stored on portable peripheral storage device, then portability and usability are improved, but system management becomes difficult when many users are managed under single management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the portable desktop system into independent LSDs that can be individually managed. Each LSD operates as a self-contained unit with its own file system and data, allowing granular management of individual user devices without affecting the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables centralized provisioning by creating copies of standardized portable desktop images and distributing them to multiple LSDs. This allows IT departments to manage many user devices through a single master image, simplifying system-wide updates and maintenance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If operating system and software are installed on each portable device for 10,000 users, then each user gets personalized desktop, but provisioning requires 333 man hours or 8 weeks of IT resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary provisioning by pre-configuring standardized portable desktop images that can be rapidly deployed. Instead of installing operating systems and software on-demand for each user, the system prepares standardized images in advance that can be quickly copied and distributed to thousands of LSDs simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the provisioning model from time-intensive individual installations to rapid image-based deployment. By transforming the provisioning process into a copy-and-distribute operation rather than an install-and-configure operation, the system reduces provisioning time from weeks to hours or minutes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is disclosed for provisioning of a peripheral portable desktop device. The peripheral portable desktop device is coupled with a workstation. A data file relating to an image for being stored within the peripheral portable desktop device is provided. The image includes secured data that is other than accessible absent user authorization data of a virtual user. Within the peripheral portable desktop device is stored data reflective of the image. A first user is then authorized to the peripheral portable desktop device by providing first user authorization data. For the first user is created a user account secured based on the first user authorization data. The account of the virtual user is accessed via the user account and the user account is configured to access the account of the virtual user upon access to the user account.