Read Cache File for Cloud Streaming Base Disk Image
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud service providers without a network driver in their client machine firmware face challenges in streaming a base disk image, as they cannot boot from the operating system within the image, requiring multiple copies of updated images for hundreds or thousands of client machines upon changes, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A client machine with a read cache that stores preboot data including a network driver allows prebooting and subsequent streaming of a base disk image from a server, bridging the gap when no network driver is available during firmware preboot, using UEFI firmware for hardware initialization and transitioning to the streamed image once the network driver is running.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If image cloning is used to deploy the base disk image, then the client machine can perform offline computing after image deployment, but multiple copies of updated images are required for hundreds or thousands of client machines when changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The base disk image is segmented into a read-only base image stored on the server and a writable cache storage area on the client machine. The base image is deployed once to all clients, and updates are applied to the cache storage area locally, eliminating the need to redistribute complete image copies to hundreds or thousands of clients.
Solution Approach 2:
A read cache file is introduced as an intermediary between the base disk image and the client machine's writable storage. The read cache stores network drivers and preboot data, allowing the client to boot and operate offline while still accessing the base image remotely for updates.
2Ease of operation
If provisioning services is used to stream the base disk image, then network boot technology can be utilized, but the client machine must maintain a constant network connection
Solution Approach 1:
Network drivers and preboot data are pre-loaded into the read cache file before the client machine needs to boot. This preliminary action allows the client to boot and operate independently of a constant network connection, as all necessary network components are already cached locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The read cache file creates a local copy of essential boot components (network drivers, preboot data) that would otherwise require continuous network access. This copy allows the client machine to function offline while maintaining the ability to receive updates when connected.
3Productivity
If the base disk image is streamed on demand, then the client machine can receive updates efficiently, but the client machine cannot boot from the operating system within the image without a network driver
Solution Approach 1:
Network drivers and preboot data are prepared in advance and stored in the read cache file. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the client machine boots, the necessary network drivers are already available locally, enabling the machine to boot and stream the base disk image without requiring network drivers to be installed during the boot process itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device includes a read cache file to store a network driver, and a processor to execute the read cache file to run the network driver to connect the computing device to a communications network. A streamed base disk image is received from a server via the communications network that is used to boot the computing device.