Virtual Disk Enumerator for Non-Windows Client Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environment, existing technologies cannot optimally redirect mass storage devices from a client terminal running a non-Windows operating system to a server, as they either require a Windows-specific disk driver or result in performance limitations due to USB device-level redirection.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual disk enumerator that attaches a Windows file system to a remote non-Windows disk stack, using a client-side disk provider to obtain disk information and send it to the server-side virtual disk enumerator, which emulates a Windows disk stack to handle management commands and routes access commands to the disk provider for conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If USB device-level redirection is used, then device redirection is achieved, but performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the redirection process into two distinct levels: device-level redirection (for basic connectivity) and disk-level redirection (for optimal performance). By implementing disk-level redirection through a virtual disk enumerator that emulates a Windows disk stack, the system achieves superior performance while maintaining ease of operation through automatic protocol conversion between non-Windows and Windows protocols.
2Productivity
If Windows-specific disk driver is required, then disk-level redirection is enabled, but operating system compatibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual disk enumerator as an intermediary component that sits between the non-Windows disk stack and the Windows file system. This virtual disk enumerator emulates a Windows disk stack, receiving Windows-specific management commands and converting them to non-Windows protocols for the actual disk device, thereby enabling disk-level redirection without requiring Windows-specific drivers on the client terminal.
3Ease of operation
If existing redirection technologies are used, then device redirection is achieved, but Windows-specific management commands cannot be handled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of redirection from device-level to disk-level, which enables the system to handle Windows-specific management commands. The virtual disk enumerator translates these management commands into appropriate non-Windows protocols, allowing full compatibility with Windows file system management while maintaining ease of operation across different operating systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A Windows file system can be attached to a remote non-Windows disk stack thereby allowing a mass storage device to be redirected at the disk level even though a client terminal is running a non-Windows operating system. A client-side proxy can include a disk provider that is configured to obtain disk information from a mass storage device connected to the client terminal and provide it to the server-side agent. A virtual disk enumerator on the server can employ the disk information to emulate a disk stack so that a Windows specific file system can be loaded on the server. Any Windows-specific management commands that target the mass storage device can be handled by the virtual disk enumerator using the disk information, whereas any access commands can be routed to the disk provider which can interface with a non-Windows disk stack on the client terminal for handling.