FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to storage systems, and more specifically to virtual configuration systems and methods for implementing changes in a file system.

BACKGROUND

A diskless system may execute on a file system that has been unpacked into memory. Changes to the file system (configuration or otherwise) may not persist across a reboot or reload of the file system because it is loaded from an external source. Typically, a user may change a file and the change persists. In order to make a persistent change in the diskless case, the source of the file system must be mounted on another system, modified, and unmounted. The resultant image is then uploaded to replace the image for the diskless system. This may make changes to the file system time consuming.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Provided are methods, including computer-implemented methods, devices including storage devices, and computer-program products applying virtual configuration for changing addressing methods.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a method is provided. The method comprises receiving, at an operating system of a host device, a request to load a file system from nonvolatile storage of the host device into volatile memory of a client device. The method further comprises, in response to receiving the request, determining, by the operating system of the host device, that the operating system is not executing on the client device. The method further comprises, in response to determining that the operating system is not executing on the client device: retrieving, by the host device, configuration data for the operating system from a datastore, and configuring, by the host device, the operating system in accordance with the configuration data. The datastore is located outside of the file system. The method further comprises facilitating, by the host device, loading of the file system into the volatile memory of the client device. The operating system is executing while the file system is loaded on the client device.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a method is provided. The method comprises detecting an event that triggers loading of a file system from nonvolatile storage into volatile memory of a diskless system. The nonvolatile storage is embedded in the diskless system. In response to detecting the event, the method further comprises retrieving configuration data for an operating system from a datastore, wherein the datastore is located outside of the file system, and wherein the operating system is stored in the nonvolatile storage, and configuring the operating system in accordance with the configuration data. The method further comprises facilitating loading of the file system from the nonvolatile storage into the volatile memory of the diskless system, wherein the operating system is executing while the file system is loaded on the diskless system.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a device is provided. The device comprises one or more processors. The device further comprises a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including the steps of the methods described herein.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a computer-program product is provided. The computer-program product is tangibly embodied in a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of a device. The computer-program product includes instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including the steps of the methods described herein.

This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.

The foregoing, together with other features and embodiments, will become more apparent upon referring to the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawings.

