Virtual Machine Image Repository for Remote Environment Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience in managing and accessing different information handling systems for various environments and purposes, requiring separate maintenance and location-specific interaction, which can lead to inefficiencies and security concerns.
Innovation Solution
A virtual machine image (VMI) system that allows client devices to access and manage multiple computing environments through a centralized VMI repository, enabling seamless switching between virtual machines configured for specific uses, such as personal, work, or gaming environments, with synchronization and security enhancements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users maintain separate information handling systems for different environments (work, home, school), then each system can be optimized for specific purposes, but users must physically be at each location to access and maintain the systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of complete computing environments (virtual machine images) that can be executed on any compatible device. Instead of maintaining multiple physical systems, users can access replicated environments remotely through network connections, eliminating the need to be physically present at each location while maintaining environment-specific optimizations
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables a single physical device to serve multiple environmental purposes by hosting different virtual machine images. The same hardware can dynamically switch between work, personal, and other computing environments, making the device universally applicable across different contexts without requiring location-specific hardware
2Adaptability or versatility
If users maintain multiple separate information handling systems, then each system can be customized for specific purposes, but the maintenance burden increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By using virtual machine images as replicable templates, the system allows centralized management of computing environments. Updates, patches, and customizations can be applied to the master image and automatically propagated to all copies, dramatically reducing maintenance complexity compared to managing multiple independent physical systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the management of multiple computing environments into a single unified system. Instead of separately maintaining work, personal, and other systems, all environments are managed through one platform with centralized control, reducing the overall complexity while preserving environment-specific customizations
3Reliability
If users access information handling systems at physical locations, then security can be maintained at each system, but users cannot securely access systems from remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a secure remote access intermediary that mediates between the user and the virtual machine environments. This intermediary layer provides authentication, encryption, and secure communication channels, enabling users to access their computing environments remotely while maintaining security protocols that would otherwise require physical presence
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual machine image (VMI) repository stores a set of VMIs. A subset of the VMIs can be associated with a designated user. In response to receiving a request from a remote device identifying the designated user, a list of the subset of VMIs is communicated to the remote device via a network. The user can select one of the VMIs from the list and the VMI repository can provide the selected VMI to the remote device. The user is thereby permitted to select a VMI suited to a particular use or environment, such as a VMI associated with a work environment.