Abstract: Example embodiments relate to activation of an application included on a shared virtual disk using client-specific data. In particular, example embodiments retrieve, from a client-specific location on a virtual disk server, activation credentials generated in response to successful activation of the application during a previous boot Example embodiments then reinstall the application activation credentials to verify activation of the application for the particular client computing device.

Abstract: A system (10) for virtual disks version control includes a selectively read-only volume (12); at least one topmost overlay (141, 142, 143, 144, 145); and at least two intermediate, selectively read-only overlays (16, 16?, 16?, 16??) configured as at least two mounting points. The at least one topmost overlay (141, 142, 143, 144, 145) is configured to store the results of redirected write operations. One of the at least two mounting points (16, 16?, 16?, 16??) and the volume (12) form an image, and the other of the at least two mounting points (16, 16?, 16?, 16??) and the volume (12) form another image. The at least two intermediate overlays (16, 16?, 16?, 16??) are operatively located between the volume (12) and the at least one topmost overlay (141, 142, 143, 144, 145).

Abstract: A method for creating a restorable computer installation includes performing a master software installation on a master drive in a computer system using sources of files available to an end-user. A source package is created including files that cannot be restored from the sources of files used in the master software installation. A file is excluded from the source package. Restore information is included in a catalog record of a catalog file, the catalog record corresponding to each file in the master software installation.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein relate to a method and system for providing data in response to a request. An exemplary method comprises receiving a request for data and determining whether the request contains a specific pattern of data intended to enable a patching process. The exemplary method further comprises providing a response containing patched data if the request contains the specific pattern of data and providing a response containing un-patched data if the request does not contain the specific pattern of data.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to activation of an application included on a shared virtual disk using client-specific data. In particular, example embodiments retrieve, from a client-specific location on a virtual disk server, activation credentials generated in response to successful activation of the application during a previous boot Example embodiments then reinstall the application activation credentials to verify activation of the application for the particular client computing device.

Abstract: A data processing network has a virtual hard drive emulator and client terminals that share a virtual disk image. Client-specific read-write versions of selected files or directories are supported. All clients access the client-specific versions using the same name and address identifiers (for example, the same file name for a given configuration file), but each client has an exclusive version. A file ID distinguishes respective clients. These files are maintained alongside other files of other types and attributes. The selection of files to be client-specific can be predetermined, or a client-specific version of a file can be generated if the client executes a write operation to a client-specific file or area, the written data containing data read by the client in any of memory area available to the clients (RAM, Virtual Disk Drive, Hard Disk drive etc.). The technique supports customization while maximizing administrative control of operating system versions and minimizing redundant storage.

Abstract: A client configured to be connected and disconnected from a network includes: a memory storing a local mirrored copy of an image stored on a virtual disk server connected to the network; and a driver configured to access both the image stored on the virtual disk server and the local mirrored copy of the image when the client is connected to the network and to access only the local mirrored copy of the image when the client is disconnected from the network without requiring a reboot of the client after connecting or disconnecting from the network.

Abstract: A system (10) for virtual disks version control includes a selectively read-only volume (12); at least one topmost overlay (141, 142, 143, 144, 145); and at least two intermediate, selectively read-only overlays (16, 16?, 16?, 16??) configured as at least two mounting points. The at least one topmost overlay (141, 142, 143, 144, 145) is configured to store the results of redirected write operations. One of the at least two mounting points (16, 16?, 16?, 16?) and the volume (12) form an image, and the other of the at least two mounting points (16, 16?, 16?, 16??) and the volume (12) form another image. The at least two intermediate overlays (16, 16?, 16?, 16??) are operatively located between the volume (12) and the at least one topmost overlay (141, 142, 143, 144, 145).

Abstract: A method (10) for creating a restorable computer installation includes performing a master software installation on a master drive (20) in a computer system (30) using sources of files (40) available to an end-user. A source package (50) is created including files that cannot be restored from the sources of files used in the master software installation. A file is excluded from the source package (50). Restore information is included in a catalog record of a catalog file, the catalog record corresponding to each file in the master software installation.

Abstract: A method for operating at least one first computer entity with an operating system of a second computer entity includes: detecting and registering a set of initialization data and driver files stored in the first entity computer entity, copying the driver files into the files of the second operating system, adapting each of the files, and reading and adapting the initialization data, for the second operating system, injecting the initialization data into initialization structures of the second operating system, making the media containing the second operating system available to the first computer, initializing the first computer entity with the second operating system, the initialization structures being used by the second operating system to initialize and operate the device controller of the at least one bootable device, and the device controller controlling access to the media that stores computer files of the second operating system to follow the initialization of the first computer entity with the secon

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein relate to a method and system for providing data in response to a request. An exemplary method comprises receiving a request for data and determining whether the request contains a specific pattern of data intended to enable a patching process. The exemplary method further comprises providing a response containing patched data if the request contains the specific pattern of data and providing a response containing un-patched data if the request does not contain the specific pattern of data.

Abstract: A method for operating at least one first computer entity with an operating system of a second computer entity, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) detecting and registering said set of initialisation data and driver files stored in the first computer entity (S1), b) copying said driver files into the files of the second operating system (S2), c) adapting each of said files, and reading and adapting said initialisation data, for the second operating system (S3), d) injecting said initialisation data into initialisation structures of the second operating system (S4), e) making said media containing said second operating system available to said first computer (S5), f) initialising the first computer entity with the second operating system (S6), said initialisation structures being used by the second operating system to initialise and operate the device controller of said bootable device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for persistent storage of personalizing parameter values of at least one logical process of management of a priori volatile data characterized in that it consists in creating in a first step one or more insertions into one or more loading and/or initializing sequences of said logical processes of management of data to be personalized, of at least one logical sub-process of data management which reads the personalizing parameter values previously saved, each of the insertions being arranged in chronological order after the corresponding previously saved personalizing parameter values are accessible for reading, each of the insertions being arranged in chronological order before said values are integrated by said logical processes of management of data to be personalized, the logical sub-processes being capable of efficiently saving the personalizing parameter values which they process on non volatile data media, so as to integrate the modifications of said values upon subsequent

Abstract: A data processing network has a virtual hard drive emulator and client terminals that share a virtual disk image. Client-specific read-write versions of selected files or directories are supported. All clients access the client-specific versions using the same name and address identifiers (for example, the same file name for a given configuration file), but each client has an exclusive version. A file ID distinguishes respective clients. These files are maintained alongside other files of other types and attributes. The selection of files to be client-specific can be predetermined, or a client-specific version of a file can be generated if the client executes a write operation to a client-specific file or area, the written data containing data read by the client in any of memory area available to the clients (RAM, Virtual Disk Drive, Hard Disk drive etc.). The technique supports customization while maximizing administrative control of operating system versions and minimizing redundant storage.