Abstract: Files and folders on a read-only shared layer may be protected by using a read-write layer. File system level hooks are added to capture and simulate the rename and delete operation that would otherwise corrupt or destroy files and folders on a read-only layer. Each read-write layer has an associated file system metadata cache that gives an overview of the data contained by the layer. Relevant metadata is added for the metadata entry associated with a file or folder subjected to a rename or delete operation so as to track the file system operations associated with the file or folder. One or more metadata flags may be used to assist in tracking the file system operations.

Abstract: A method and system for handling a file operation directed to an original file of a protected layer. A protected layer and a user- or device-specific write layer associated with the protected layer are both mounted. File open operations directed to an original file on the protected layer are instead redirected to one of a dummy file associated with the original file or a write-layer copy of the original file located on the write layer. If neither a dummy file nor a write-layer copy of the original file are on the write layer, a dummy file having the same file name and file attributes as the original file is created in the write layer. Subsequent file operations, such as reading, writing, and closing, are directed to the one of the dummy file or the write-layer copy.

Abstract: A file-system filter driver is attached to each cache volume containing a cache and a source volume containing a source file. The file-system filter driver intercepts requests and may redirect the requests to the cache. The redirection may be based on metadata information corresponding to the file or folder associated with a given request. Redirection to the cache prevents an application or user from directly accessing or modifying the source volume, which may be shared among multiple client devices. Redirecting requests to the cache also permits user-specific modifications to be stored in the cache. A merged view of the source volume and the cache may then be presented to the user or an application, reflecting the user-specific modifications without affecting the source volume.

Abstract: A user profile layer provides a benefit to a user by allowing access to user profile setting and data across multiple information handling systems running one or more operating systems. Operating system specific data may be stored in a user profile operating system layer while user data may be stored in a user profile data layer. Each time a user logs in to an information handling system, a layering driver captures changes to user data and to user settings corresponding to the operating system. A new user profile operating system layer is created for each type of operating system associated with a user while only one user profile data layer is maintained for the same user. In this way, any changes made to the same operating system data or user data are captured by the user's specific user profile and usable each time the user logs in to any information handling system.

Abstract: User changes may be preserved across updates to a layer. When a layering client mounts a layer, a corresponding layering write cache is mounted. Changes to layered resources, such as files, registry entries, and registry values, are made only to the layering write cache. A request to create a file in the layer is directed to the layering write cache such that the new file is created in the layering write cache. A request to open a layered resource, is directed to the layered resource if the layered resource is in the layering write cache. A request to write to a layered resource is directed to the layering write cache if the layered resource is in the layering write cache. If the layered resource is not in the layering write cache, the layered resource is copied to the layering write cache before redirecting the write request.

Abstract: A method of creating a new layer for an information handling system is disclosed. A layering client mounts a new layer at a layer storage medium accessible to the information handling system. A layering file system filter driver redirects a request to create a new file at a target file path to the layer storage medium and updates the file metadata to associate the target file path with the path to file created on the layer storage medium.

Abstract: Files and folders on a read-only shared layer may be protected by using a read-write layer. File system level hooks are added to capture and simulate the rename and delete operation that would otherwise corrupt or destroy files and folders on a read-only layer. Each read-write layer has an associated file system metadata cache that gives an overview of the data contained by the layer. Relevant metadata is added for the metadata entry associated with a file or folder subjected to a rename or delete operation so as to track the file system operations associated with the file or folder. One or more metadata flags may be used to assist in tracking the file system operations.

Abstract: A user profile layer provides a benefit to a user by allowing access to user profile setting and data across multiple information handling systems running one or more operating systems. Operating system specific data may be stored in a user profile operating system layer while user data may be stored in a user profile data layer. Each time a user logs in to an information handling system, a layering driver captures changes to user data and to user settings corresponding to the operating system. A new user profile operating system layer is created for each type of operating system associated with a user while only one user profile data layer is maintained for the same user. In this way, any changes made to the same operating system data or user data are captured by the user's specific user profile and usable each time the user logs in to any information handling system.

Abstract: A method and system for handling a file operation directed to an original file of a protected layer. A protected layer and a user- or device-specific write layer associated with the protected layer are both mounted. File open operations directed to an original file on the protected layer are instead redirected to one of a dummy file associated with the original file or a write-layer copy of the original file located on the write layer. If neither a dummy file nor a write-layer copy of the original file are on the write layer, a dummy file having the same file name and file attributes as the original file is created in the write layer. Subsequent file operations, such as reading, writing, and closing, are directed to the one of the dummy file or the write-layer copy.

Abstract: A file-system filter driver is attached to each cache volume containing a cache and a source volume containing a source file. The file-system filter driver intercepts requests and may redirect the requests to the cache. The redirection may be based on metadata information corresponding to the file or folder associated with a given request. Redirection to the cache prevents an application or user from directly accessing or modifying the source volume, which may be shared among multiple client devices. Redirecting requests to the cache also permits user-specific modifications to be stored in the cache. A merged view of the source volume and the cache may then be presented to the user or an application, reflecting the user-specific modifications without affecting the source volume.

Abstract: A method of creating a new layer for an information handling system is disclosed. A layering client mounts a new layer at a layer storage medium accessible to the information handling system. A layering file system filter driver redirects a request to create a new file at a target file path to the layer storage medium and updates the file metadata to associate the target file path with the path to file created on the layer storage medium.

Abstract: A system and method for providing layered resources to an information handling system is disclosed herein. In particular embodiments, a layering system comprises a layering client, a layering file-system filter driver, and a layering registry filter driver provided for the information handling system. The layering system redirects file operations or registry operations to the layer.

Abstract: User changes may be preserved across updates to a layer. When a layering client mounts a layer, a corresponding layering write cache is mounted. Changes to layered resources, such as files, registry entries, and registry values, are made only to the layering write cache. A request to create a file in the layer is directed to the layering write cache such that the new file is created in the layering write cache. A request to open a layered resource, is directed to the layered resource if the layered resource is in the layering write cache. A request to write to a layered resource is directed to the layering write cache if the layered resource is in the layering write cache. If the layered resource is not in the layering write cache, the layered resource is copied to the layering write cache before redirecting the write request.