Abstract: A data alignment (DA) computing device is communicatively coupled to a first and a second data storage device. The first data storage device stores an array of partitions including a first subset and a second subset of partitions, and metadata associated with the array that includes a reference pointer for each partition. The DA computing device updates the metadata to remove the reference pointers for the second subset of partitions and thereby remove the second subset from the array, stores a partition table defining the first subset within the first data storage device and the second subset within the second data storage device, stores the metadata associated with the array within the second data storage device, updates the second data storage device to include the second subset of partitions, and updates the metadata stored by the data storage devices to link the second subset of partitions to the array.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes installing operating system (OS) software on a computing device with multiple drives. An interruption process associated with a redundant drive array is initiated by a processor. The redundant drive array includes a primary drive mirrored with a backup drive. An installation process associated with the operating system to be installed on the computing device is initiated by the processor. Upon detecting creation of a file system during the installation process, the interruption process disables the backup drive from the redundant drive array. Upon completion of the installation of the operating system on the primary drive by the installation process, the backup drive is re-enabled in the redundant drive array. After being re-enabled, the backup drive is synchronized with the primary drive. The installation process is made faster and more efficient by preventing repeated synchronization between the redundant drives during the process.

Abstract: An operating system conversion (OSC) computing device generates a custom archive file including an OS image file associated with a second operating system (OS) for a host computing device having a first OS. The OSC computing device formats a data storage device of the host computing device to include a first partition associated with the first OS and a second partition associated with the second OS, transmits the custom archive file to the host computing device, and generates, using the custom archive file, a loopback file system mounted to the host computing device to emulate a physical data storage device. The OS image file is accessible though the loopback file system. The OSC computing device stores the OS image file within an install directory of the second partition and converts an OS operating on the host computing device from the first OS to the second OS.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes installing operating system (OS) software on a computing device with multiple drives. An interruption process associated with a redundant drive array is initiated by a processor. The redundant drive array includes a primary drive mirrored with a backup drive. An installation process associated with the operating system to be installed on the computing device is initiated by the processor. Upon detecting creation of a file system during the installation process, the interruption process disables the backup drive from the redundant drive array. Upon completion of the installation of the operating system on the primary drive by the installation process, the backup drive is re-enabled in the redundant drive array. After being re-enabled, the backup drive is synchronized with the primary drive. The installation process is made faster and more efficient by preventing repeated synchronization between the redundant drives during the process.

Abstract: A data alignment (DA) computing device is communicatively coupled to a first and a second data storage device. The first data storage device stores an array of partitions including a first subset and a second subset of partitions, and metadata associated with the array that includes a reference pointer for each partition. The DA computing device updates the metadata to remove the reference pointers for the second subset of partitions and thereby remove the second subset from the array, stores a partition table defining the first subset within the first data storage device and the second subset within the second data storage device, stores the metadata associated with the array within the second data storage device, updates the second data storage device to include the second subset of partitions, and updates the metadata stored by the data storage devices to link the second subset of partitions to the array.

Abstract: A data alignment (DA) computing device is communicatively coupled to a first and a second data storage device. The first data storage device stores an array of partitions including a first subset and a second subset of partitions, and metadata associated with the array that includes a reference pointer for each partition. The DA computing device updates the metadata to remove the reference pointers for the second subset of partitions and thereby remove the second subset from the array, stores a partition table defining the first subset within the first data storage device and the second subset within the second data storage device, stores the metadata associated with the array within the second data storage device, updates the second data storage device to include the second subset of partitions, and updates the metadata stored by the data storage devices to link the second subset of partitions to the array.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes installing operating system (OS) software of a computing device with multiple redundant drives. A first drive is removed from a redundant drive array mirroring the first drive and a second drive, the drives including a first OS. The first drive is formatted to remove the first OS and include a plurality of partitions. Installation data is mounted on an installation partition of the first drive, the installation data configured to install a second OS. A bootloader component is updated to include an installation option for the second OS. The second OS is then installed on the plurality of partitions of the first drive based on the installation data. The plurality of partitions are configured as multiple virtual redundant drives with respect to the second OS, whereby the computing device is enabled to boot to either the first OS or the second OS.

Abstract: A data alignment (DA) computing device is communicatively coupled to a first and a second data storage device. The first data storage device stores an array of partitions including a first subset and a second subset of partitions, and metadata associated with the array that includes a reference pointer for each partition. The DA computing device updates the metadata to remove the reference pointers for the second subset of partitions and thereby remove the second subset from the array, stores a partition table defining the first subset within the first data storage device and the second subset within the second data storage device, stores the metadata associated with the array within the second data storage device, updates the second data storage device to include the second subset of partitions, and updates the metadata stored by the data storage devices to link the second subset of partitions to the array.

Abstract: An operating system conversion (OSC) computing device generates a custom archive file including an OS image file associated with a second operating system (OS) for a host computing device having a first OS. The OSC computing device formats a data storage device of the host computing device to include a first partition associated with the first OS and a second partition associated with the second OS, transmits the custom archive file to the host computing device, and generates, using the custom archive file, a loopback file system mounted to the host computing device to emulate a physical data storage device. The OS image file is accessible though the loopback file system. The OSC computing device stores the OS image file within an install directory of the second partition and converts an OS operating on the host computing device from the first OS to the second OS.