Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Network computer configuring – Initializing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-18
2004-06-15
Harrell, Robert B. (Department: 2141)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Network computer configuring
Initializing
C709S203000, C709S208000, C709S220000, C709S227000, C713S001000, C713S002000, C717S172000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06751658
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to network computing. More particularly, the invention relates to the provision, administration, and maintenance of an operating system in a net-booted environment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Most organizations currently employ local area networks (LANs) of thick clients, e.g., personal computers. While this represents an improvement over the disconnected computing environments of a decade earlier, many limitations still exist. In current LAN environments, each client computer has its own local copy of operating system software, application programs, and user customizations to the desktop environment. Typically there is no centralized mechanism for maintaining a consistent system configuration in such a computing environment. Consequently, individual user workstations often get out-of-sync with each other as one or more users upgrade to newer versions of the operating system, upgrade their application programs, or install application programs that were not part of the original system configuration. Additionally, in this type of uncontrolled, decentralized environment, the operating system of a client computer can easily become corrupted. This is especially true with the Microsoft ® Windows ® 95, 98 and NT operating systems where user modification of a single system file can have undesirable consequences and require significant downtime. For example, editing the Windows Registry file could render a client computer unusable thereby requiring reinstallation of the computer's operating system software and all the application programs.
In view of the foregoing, it should be apparent that administration and maintenance of current computing environments is complex and time consuming. Therefore, what is needed is a reliable computing environment that can be maintained more easily and at a lower cost.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method and apparatus are described for providing a reliable and maintainable operating system in a net-booted environment. According to one embodiment, a network computer (NC) client boots from a boot image provided by an NC server. The boot image includes information identifying the location of one or more system volumes on the NC server that contain operating system software. In response to an attempt to modify the contents of the one or more system volumes, the NC client causes information identifying the modification to be recorded on the NC server separate from the one or more system volumes in a storage area associated with the NC client.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description.
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Haun Christopher K.
Prouse Craig Harvey
Resch Paul M.
Sokol, Jr. Joseph
Apple Computer Inc.
Blakely , Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
Harrell Robert B.
Pollack M H
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