Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that authenticates and/or identifies a user of an electronic device based on passive factors, which do not require conscious user actions. During operation of the system, in response to detecting a trigger event, the system collects sensor data from one or more sensors in the electronic device. Next, the system extracts a feature vector from the sensor data. The system then analyzes the feature vector to authenticate and/or identify the user, wherein the feature vector is analyzed using a model trained with sensor data previously obtained from the electronic device while the user was operating the electronic device.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that authenticates and/or identifies a user of an electronic device based on passive factors, which do not require conscious user actions. During operation of the system, in response to detecting a trigger event, the system collects sensor data from one or more sensors in the electronic device. Next, the system extracts a feature vector from the sensor data. The system then analyzes the feature vector to authenticate and/or identify the user, wherein the feature vector is analyzed using a model trained with sensor data previously obtained from the electronic device while the user was operating the electronic device.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that operates a computer system. During operation, the system detects a first change in a setting associated with a first computing environment executing on the computer system, wherein the first change is associated with at least one of an input/output (I/O) device setting, a regional setting, a network setting, a power setting, and a display setting. Next, the system propagates the first change to one or more other computing environments executing on the computer system.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that authenticates and/or identifies a user of an electronic device based on passive factors, which do not require conscious user actions. During operation of the system, in response to detecting a trigger event, the system collects sensor data from one or more sensors in the electronic device. Next, the system extracts a feature vector from the sensor data. The system then analyzes the feature vector to authenticate and/or identify the user, wherein the feature vector is analyzed using a model trained with sensor data previously obtained from the electronic device while the user was operating the electronic device.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that provides a virtual private network (VPN). The system includes a routing apparatus on a public network. The routing apparatus accepts a first connection with a client on the VPN and a second connection with a gateway in a private network extended by the VPN. Next, the routing apparatus receives a first set of packets from the client over the first connection, wherein the first set of packets is encrypted. The routing apparatus then routes the first set of packets to the gateway. The system also includes the gateway, which establishes the second connection with the routing apparatus. Next, the gateway decrypts the first set of packets and routes the decrypted first set of packets to a host in the private network.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that processes data. During operation, the system uses a first key to protect a write operation on the data. Next, the system uses a second key to protect a read operation on the data.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates the use of a computer system with virtualization software. During operation, the system obtains a set of hardware attributes from the computer system and a hardware compatibility list (HCL) for the virtualization software. Next, the system uses the hardware attributes and the HCL to predict a compatibility of a hardware component in the computer system with the virtualization software. The system then uses the predicted compatibility to manage use of the computer system with the virtualization software.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system that provides a filesystem in a computer system. During operation, the system obtains a policy for the filesystem and separates the filesystem into a set of layers based on the policy. Next, the system processes input/output (I/O) operations to the filesystem by directing each of the I/O operations to one of the layers based on the policy. Finally, the system periodically maintains the layers using a master image of the filesystem.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that operates a computer system. During operation, the system detects a first change in a setting associated with a first computing environment executing on the computer system, wherein the first change is associated with at least one of an input/output (I/O) device setting, a regional setting, a network setting, a power setting, and a display setting. Next, the system propagates the first change to one or more other computing environments executing on the computer system.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that processes data. The system includes a first client that encrypts a first set of data, uploads the encrypted first set of data to a volume on a cloud storage system, and creates a commit record of the upload. The system also includes a synchronization server that verifies access to the volume by the first client and includes the commit record in a change set containing a set of commit records associated with the volume. The synchronization server also signs the change set and provides the change set for use in synchronizing the upload with a second client.

Abstract: A kitchen utensil suspension assembly for storing kitchen utensils over a kitchen sink includes a pair of brackets that is each of the brackets coupled to a vertical support surface. The brackets are spaced apart from each other a distance corresponding to a width of a kitchen sink. A plurality of supports is each pivotally coupled to a respective one of the brackets. Each of the supports is positionable in a deployed position having each of the supports being oriented at an angle with respect to the vertical support surface. Additionally, each of the supports is positionable in a stored position having each of the supports extending upwardly along the vertical support surface. A plurality of poles is each extended through each of the first and second supports. Thus, each of the poles may have a kitchen utensil suspended thereon for storage.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that provides a virtual private network (VPN). The system includes a routing apparatus on a public network. The routing apparatus accepts a first connection with a client on the VPN and a second connection with a gateway in a private network extended by the VPN. Next, the routing apparatus receives a first set of packets from the client over the first connection, wherein the first set of packets is encrypted. The routing apparatus then routes the first set of packets to the gateway. The system also includes the gateway, which establishes the second connection with the routing apparatus. Next, the gateway decrypts the first set of packets and routes the decrypted first set of packets to a host in the private network.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that processes data. During operation, the system uses a first key to protect a write operation on the data. Next, the system uses a second key to protect a read operation on the data.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates the use of a computer system with virtualization software. During operation, the system obtains a set of hardware attributes from the computer system and a hardware compatibility list (HCL) for the virtualization software. Next, the system uses the hardware attributes and the HCL to predict a compatibility of a hardware component in the computer system with the virtualization software. The system then uses the predicted compatibility to manage use of the computer system with the virtualization software.

Abstract: An actuator system for maintaining high nip forces at a roller nip is disclosed. The actuator system includes a primary actuator for urging a roller into an engaged position at which the roller contributes to providing the high nip forces at the roller nip, the primary actuator being provided attached to a movable mounting structure, and a secondary actuator for maintaining the mounting structure in a locked position, and for releasing the mounting structure, and therefore the primary actuator, from the locked position in the event of a power loss to the secondary actuator.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages the use of a virtual disk. During operation, the system obtains trace data associated with a startup process that reads blocks from the virtual disk. Next, the system physically rearranges the blocks based on the trace data to increase the speed of the startup process. During execution of the startup process, the system also determines a progress of the startup process and uses the progress and the trace data to prefetch blocks from the virtual disk for use by the startup process.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that provides a virtual private network (VPN). The system includes a routing apparatus on a public network. The routing apparatus accepts a first connection with a client on the VPN and a second connection with a gateway in a private network extended by the VPN. Next, the routing apparatus receives a first set of packets from the client over the first connection, wherein the first set of packets is encrypted. The routing apparatus then routes the first set of packets to the gateway. The system also includes the gateway, which establishes the second connection with the routing apparatus. Next, the gateway decrypts the first set of packets and routes the decrypted first set of packets to a host in the private network.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that authenticates and/or identifies a user of an electronic device based on passive factors, which do not require conscious user actions. During operation of the system, in response to detecting a trigger event, the system collects sensor data from one or more sensors in the electronic device. Next, the system extracts a feature vector from the sensor data. The system then analyzes the feature vector to authenticate and/or identify the user, wherein the feature vector is analyzed using a model trained with sensor data previously obtained from the electronic device while the user was operating the electronic device.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system that provides a filesystem in a computer system. During operation, the system obtains a policy for the filesystem and separates the filesystem into a set of layers based on the policy. Next, the system processes input/output (I/O) operations to the filesystem by directing each of the I/O operations to one of the layers based on the policy. Finally, the system periodically maintains the layers using a master image of the filesystem.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that operates a computer system. During operation, the system detects a first change in a setting associated with a first computing environment executing on the computer system, wherein the first change is associated with at least one of an input/output (I/O) device setting, a regional setting, a network setting, a power setting, and a display setting. Next, the system propagates the first change to one or more other computing environments executing on the computer system.