Remote Disk Image Bootstrapping for Network Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network elements require local storage for booting, which consumes memory and resources, and involves significant network bandwidth and CPU usage when booting from a large image file.
Innovation Solution
A method where a network element loads an initial bootloader to download a final bootloader from a remote image file, which then mounts the image file as a block device, allowing only necessary files to be downloaded and executed for bootstrapping, eliminating the need for internal hard disk or CD-ROM.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a network element boots from a local physical drive, then the booting process is simple and reliable, but the network element consumes more memory and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the boot image storage from local physical dimension (hard disk/CD-ROM) to remote network dimension. The network element boots from a disk image stored on a remote server accessible via network, eliminating the need for large local storage while maintaining booting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the boot image from local storage and places it on a remote server. Only the necessary kernel and root file system mounting data are downloaded to local memory during booting, rather than storing the entire disk image locally, thus reducing memory consumption.
2Reliability
If a network element boots from a large disk image file, then complete booting functionality is achieved, but significant network bandwidth and CPU usage are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential components (kernel and root file system mounting data) from the complete disk image for download during booting. The majority of the disk image remains on the remote server, significantly reducing network bandwidth consumption while maintaining complete booting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial downloading of the disk image - only the necessary portions (kernel and mounting data) are transferred during booting, rather than downloading the entire image. This partial action approach reduces network bandwidth and CPU usage while achieving the booting objective.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a network element includes local storage for booting, then booting can be performed independently, but hardware requirements and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the remote server universal by having it store disk images that can serve multiple network elements. Instead of each network element requiring its own local storage, a single remote server can provide boot images to many devices, reducing individual hardware requirements and manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a copied version of the disk image stored on the remote server instead of requiring the original physical media (hard disk or CD-ROM) in each network element. This copying approach eliminates the need for expensive local storage hardware while maintaining booting capability.
4Reliability
If a Live CD is used for booting, then a complete read-only bootable installation is achieved, but significantly more memory is consumed compared to the invention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential booting components (kernel and root file system mounting data) from the complete Live CD image and downloads them during booting. The majority of the Live CD content remains on the remote server, reducing memory consumption while maintaining complete bootable functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial loading of the Live CD image into memory - only the necessary portions for booting are downloaded and loaded, rather than loading the entire image. This partial action approach reduces memory consumption while achieving complete booting capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of bootstrapping from a remote image file comprising loading, by a processor, an initial bootloader, employing the initial bootloader to download a final bootloader from the remote image file via a network, employing the final bootloader to mount the remote image file as a block device, downloading a kernel and root file system mounting data from the remote image, and executing the kernel to bootstrap the processor based on the root file system mounting data.