Windows Embedded Configuration Management via Segmented Image Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in efficiently managing configuration changes for Windows-based embedded images on client devices, where manual installation of software or firmware updates is cumbersome due to the large size of embedded images, especially in environments with frequent minor changes and numerous devices, as existing methods require downloading and installing entire images to apply changes persistently across reboots.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for comparing and provisioning configurations on client devices with a Windows-based embedded image, involving a retrieval module to obtain new and previous configuration files, a comparison module to determine necessary changes, and an apply settings module to apply these changes persistently without reinstalling the entire image, utilizing a write-filter to ensure changes are retained across reboots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual installation of software or firmware update of the entire image is performed, then configuration changes can be applied persistently across reboot, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming due to large image size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the embedded image into two parts: a read-only base image and a writable configuration layer. This allows configuration changes to be applied to the writable layer without modifying or re-downloading the entire base image, thus maintaining persistent configurations across reboots while significantly reducing update time and bandwidth usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the configuration data from the entire embedded image and stores it separately in a configuration file on a remote server. Only the necessary configuration parameters are transferred and applied to the writable layer, rather than updating the whole image, which resolves the contradiction between persistent configuration and update efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If entire embedded image is downloaded and installed, then configuration changes are applied, but bandwidth usage increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary configuration parameters from the embedded image and stores them in a separate configuration file. When updates are needed, only this small configuration file is downloaded and applied to the writable layer, rather than downloading and installing the entire large embedded image, thus maintaining configuration flexibility while dramatically reducing bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from updating the entire image to updating only specific configuration parameters. The system retrieves a configuration file containing parameter changes, applies only those specific parameter modifications to the writable layer, and leaves the rest of the embedded image unchanged, thereby achieving configuration adaptability with minimal bandwidth usage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent and minor configuration changes are applied, then system adaptability improves, but the overhead of full image updates becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments configuration management into a read-only base image and a writable configuration layer that can be independently updated. This allows frequent and minor configuration changes to be applied rapidly to the writable layer without the overhead of full image updates, thereby improving both configuration adaptability and update efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a configuration file-based approach where only specific parameter changes are transmitted and applied. When frequent and minor configuration changes are needed, the system retrieves updated parameter values from the configuration file and applies only those changes to the writable layer, avoiding the impractical overhead of full image updates while maintaining high configuration adaptability.
4Reliability
If write-filter is used to prevent changes, then image integrity is maintained, but legitimate configuration changes cannot persist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into a read-only base image protected by write-filter and a separate writable configuration layer. The write-filter maintains image integrity by preventing writes to the base image, while the writable layer allows legitimate configuration changes to persist. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by protecting image integrity while enabling configuration management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a writable configuration layer as an intermediary between the protected base image and configuration change requests. This intermediary layer allows configuration changes to be applied and persisted without violating the write-filter protection on the base image, thus maintaining image integrity while facilitating ease of configuration management.
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples of methods and apparatus are provided for comparing and provisioning configurations for a local client having a windows-based embedded image. The apparatus may include a retrieval module of the local client configured to facilitate locating a remote repository server containing a new configuration file, to facilitate obtaining the new configuration file from the remote repository server, and to facilitate obtaining a previous configuration file associated with a previous configuration change successfully applied to the embedded image. The apparatus may include a configuration comparison module of the local client configured to compare the new configuration file with the previous configuration file. The apparatus may include an apply settings module of the local client configured to apply, to the embedded image, one of a new configuration change and the previous configuration change based on the comparison. The new configuration change may be based on the new configuration file.