Temporary File System Adaptation for Bare Metal Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for bare metal recovery are inefficient as they require identical hardware configurations between the source and target computing devices, leading to prolonged boot times and storage space consumption, and are limited to restoring data only on similar hardware setups.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves a target computing device connected to a memory storing a backup image file with an operating system and initial file system, which can be configured for different hardware configurations, using recovery program instructions to identify and retrieve missing interface modules, and modify the initial file system to include necessary drivers, allowing boot sequence initiation on dissimilar hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a generic initial file system including each available I/O module is used to boot on any type of target hardware, then adaptability to different hardware configurations is improved, but boot time and disk storage space are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the target hardware configuration before the boot process and modifying the initial file system accordingly. The system identifies required I/O modules based on the specific hardware architecture and pre-configures the initial file system to include only those necessary modules, avoiding the need to load all available modules during boot.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the initial file system by dynamically adjusting its composition based on the detected hardware configuration. The system modifies the file system's I/O module set to match the target hardware's specific requirements, transforming a static generic file system into a customized one optimized for the specific hardware architecture.
2Loss of time
If a custom initial file system including only necessary I/O modules for the same hardware type is used, then boot time and disk storage space are reduced, but bare metal recovery is limited to identical hardware configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the initial file system configuration adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically detects the target hardware architecture and adjusts the I/O module composition of the initial file system accordingly. This allows the same backup image to be restored on different hardware configurations while maintaining optimal boot performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universality by creating an initial file system generation mechanism that can adapt to multiple hardware configurations. The system provides a single backup image that can be restored on various hardware platforms by automatically configuring the appropriate I/O modules for each target architecture, making the recovery process universally applicable across different hardware types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all available I/O modules are included in the initial file system for any target hardware, then compatibility with various hardware interfaces is improved, but disk storage space consumption is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the composition parameters of the initial file system by selectively including only those I/O modules required for the detected target hardware configuration. The system analyzes the hardware architecture and adjusts the file system's module set to match specific requirements, reducing the quantity of stored data while maintaining necessary compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies extraction by removing unnecessary I/O modules from the initial file system based on the target hardware configuration. The system identifies and extracts only the essential modules needed for the specific hardware architecture, eliminating redundant modules that would consume disk space without providing functional benefit.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for efficiently restoring data to a different computing device. At least a backed up operating system (OS) and an initial file system, which is also referred to as a temporary file system, are restored on a memory connected to a target computing device. The OS and the initial file system are configured for a hardware configuration for a source computing device different from a hardware configuration for the target computing device. The input/output (I/O) modules used for accessing storage devices connected to data storage interfaces within the target computing device are identified and compared to I/O modules in the initial file system. The missing I/O modules in the initial file system for the target computing device are retrieved from the restored OS and inserted in the initial file system. Afterward, a boot up sequence is executed using the modified initial file system.