Abstract: A computing device is configured to assemble and boot an operating system in stages. A primary boot image is first obtained that includes enough of the operating system to support basic networking. Once the primary boot image is obtained, either through download or from storage on the device, the primary boot image is booted to start the networking. Once the networking is active, the boot activity for the device is suspended and one or more secondary operating system images are downloaded by the device. These images are chained to the primary boot image thereby creating a single/cohesive operating system. These secondary operating system images are successively booted in “stages” with each successive stage building upon the functionality of the previous stage.

Abstract: Individual files within a FAT volume may be compressed while other files remain uncompressed. A FAT Compression Filter (FCF) intercepts calls to the file system, performs the compression and decompression tasks relating to the files on the FAT volume. The use of individual file compression with the FAT file system helps to ensure that the flash memory has a long life and does not quickly fail while still providing the benefits of individual file compression. The FAT Compression Filter allows individual files within a volume to be excluded from being compressed.

Abstract: Multiple providers of application logic are used to deploy and install an operating system image to a client. Each provider configured with application logic designed to deploy and install an operating system image to a distinct class of clients. When a server receives a request associated with deploying and installing the operating system image from the client, the server sends the request to the provider configured with application logic designed to deploy and install an operating system to the client.