Shared Read-Only File System for Multi-OS Memory Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The significant memory requirements for computers running multiple operating systems, as each file system consumes a substantial portion of memory, leading to increased memory needs and potential performance degradation due to frequent data transfers between memory and storage.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for file system sharing that organizes a single read-only file system (ROFS) and a read/write file system (RWFS), allowing multiple operating systems to share these resources, with each RWFS containing a pointer to the ROFS, thereby reducing memory usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each operating system has its own separate file system stored in memory, then each operating system can access file system resources independently, but the memory requirements become significant and increase linearly with the number of operating systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate file systems into a single shared read-only file system (ROFS) that is commonly accessed by multiple operating systems. Each operating system maintains its own read/write file system (RWFS) for private modifications, but the common read-only file system is shared across all OSes, reducing redundant memory copies.
Solution Approach 2:
The single ROFS serves multiple functions by being universally accessed by all operating systems simultaneously. This universal file system structure provides common read-only resources to multiple OSes, eliminating the need for each OS to maintain its own complete copy of the file system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple copies of kernels, file systems, configuration data, and applications are stored in memory for concurrent operating systems, then each operating system can execute independently, but the overall memory requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple duplicate file system copies into a single shared ROFS structure. Instead of storing separate file systems for each operating system, the system creates one common read-only file system that all operating systems can access simultaneously, reducing memory consumption while maintaining concurrent execution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses selective copying where each operating system maintains its own RWFS for private read/write operations, but shares the common ROFS. This partial copying approach allows independent execution while avoiding complete duplication of all file system contents.
3Quantity of substance
If a single shared file system is used by multiple operating systems, then memory requirements are reduced, but the file system must be accessible by multiple operating systems simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the file system into two distinct parts: a read-only file system (ROFS) that is shared by all operating systems, and read/write file systems (RWFS) that are private to each operating system. This segmentation allows multiple OSes to access the common file system simultaneously without interference, as each OS can only write to its own private RWFS.
Solution Approach 2:
The hypervisor acts as an intermediary between multiple operating systems and the shared ROFS. It manages the access rights, coordinates simultaneous reads, and handles the mapping between the shared file system and each operating system's private RWFS, simplifying the complexity of multi-OS file system sharing.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for file system sharing. A Read-Only File System (ROFS) organization module organizes a single ROFS for a plurality of operating systems. Each operating system executes on a distinct virtual machine. Each virtual machine executes on a computer. A Read/Write File System (RWFS) organization module organizes an RWFS for each operating system. An access module accesses the RWFS and ROFS for each operating system. The RWFS and ROFS appear to each operating system as a single, private file system. Each RWFS comprises at least one pointer to the ROFS.