PXE Server Peer Node Recovery for Boot Device Repair
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage systems face challenges in securely and efficiently recovering from corrupted or unbootable internal disk drives without introducing security vulnerabilities through the use of external media, which can be infected with malware.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an internal network connection between nodes to perform a network boot using a PXE server, allowing the bootable partition and operating system from a healthy peer node to be reimaged onto a corrupted node, eliminating the need for external media and reducing security risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If external media are used for disk drive recovery, then recovery process can be simplified, but security vulnerabilities are introduced through potential malware infection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary PXE server running on a healthy node to facilitate the recovery process. Instead of using external media directly, the PXE server mediates between the corrupted node and the recovery content, providing a secure channel that eliminates malware infection risks while maintaining ease of repair through automated network-based recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses network-based copying of the bootable partition and operating system from a healthy node to the corrupted node's storage device. This digital copy approach replaces physical external media, allowing seamless recovery without introducing security vulnerabilities associated with physical media handling
2Object-affected harmful factors
If network boot is used for recovery, then security is improved by eliminating external media, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PXE server leverages existing network infrastructure and standard PXE protocols to provide multiple functions: network boot capability, automated disk imaging, and recovery operation. This multi-functionality approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate complex components into a single unified system
Solution Approach 2:
The recovery process is designed to be self-service through automated PXE boot sequences and network-based disk imaging. The corrupted node automatically boots via network, and the recovery process executes without manual intervention, reducing the operational complexity burden on administrators
3Reliability
If peer node recovery is implemented, then recovery reliability is improved, but internal network infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the PXE server functionality with the existing node infrastructure, combining network boot, disk imaging, and recovery operations into a unified system. This integration approach provides reliable peer-to-peer recovery while avoiding the need for separate dedicated recovery hardware or complex network infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for peer node recovery can include: receiving a notification regarding an occurrence of a trigger condition which indicates to perform recovery processing for a first storage device of a first node, wherein the first storage device is used as a boot device for the first node; and responsive to receiving the notification of the trigger condition, performing recovery processing for the first storage device of the first node comprising: performing a network boot of the first node over an internal network connection using a preboot execution (PXE) server of the second node; reimaging the first storage device of the first node using content from a second storage device of the second node, wherein the content includes a bootable partition comprising an operating system; and using the bootable partition of the first storage device of the first node, booting the first node to load and run the operating system.