Configuring and customizing a specific-purpose client having a windows-based embedded image using extensible markup language (XML) configuration

• US 8,825,990 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2011
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Marketing Corporation (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wyse Technology L.L.C. (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Tukol, Sanmati Bahubali, Prabhala, Mohan
• Primary Examiner(s): Elamin, M
• Application Number:
  US13/035,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20120198222A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 713/1, 713/2, 709/220, 709/203
• US Class Current: 713/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4406 Loading of operating system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44505 Configuring for program initiating, e.g. using registry, configuration files
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5061 Pools of addresses

Abstract

Examples of methods and apparatus are provided for configuring and customizing a specific-purpose local client having a windows-based embedded image using extensible markup language (XML) configuration and obviating reinstallation of an entire windows-based embedded image onto the specific-purpose local client. The apparatus may include a retrieval module of the specific-purpose local client configured to automatically locate a remote repository server containing an XML configuration file and automatically obtain the XML configuration file from the remote repository server each time the specific-purpose local client boots up. The apparatus may include an apply settings module of the specific-purpose local client configured to automatically apply a configuration change to the windows-based embedded image based on the XML configuration file each time the specific-purpose local client boots up. The configuration change persists across a reboot of the specific-purpose local client while obviating reinstallation of an entire windows-based embedded image onto the specific-purpose local client.

Claims

1. An apparatus for configuring and customizing a specific-purpose local client having a windows-based embedded image the apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, are configured to cause the processor to;

automatically locate a remote repository server containing an XML configuration file that is self-describing, user definable, and validatable;

automatically obtain the XML configuration file from the remote repository server each time the specific-purpose local client boots up;

automatically determine, each time the specific-purpose local client boots up, whether to reset a previous state of the windows-based embedded image based on the XML configuration file;

automatically apply a default configuration to the windows-based embedded image if it is determined that the previous state is to be reset; and

automatically apply a configuration change to the windows-based embedded image based on the XML configuration file after the default configuration is applied, if it is determined that the previous state is to be reset;

wherein the configuration change persists across a reboot of the specific-purpose local client while obviating reinstallation of an entire windows-based embedded image onto the specific-purpose local client; and

wherein the windows-based embedded image supports a graphical user interface and comprises an operating system and one or more applications dedicated to the specific purpose.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the windows-based embedded image comprises a write-filter that prevents one or more changes applied to the windows-based embedded image with the write-filter enabled, from persisting across a reboot of the specific-purpose local client, and wherein the apply settings module is configured to apply the configuration change to the windows-based embedded image while the write-filter is enabled.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, are further configured to cause the processor to, while the write-filter is enabled, save the confirmation file into a storage area that is to be retained on the specific-purpose local client across a reboot of the specific-purpose local client.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the configuration change comprises one or more of the following:

a configuration change to a remote desktop connection, a configuration change to a device of the specific-purpose local client, and a configuration change to the operating system of the specific-purpose local client.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, are further configured to cause the processor to obtain address information of the remote repository server using at least one of a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) or a domain name system (DNS).

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, are further configured to cause the processor to obtain address information of the repository server from a local registry of the specific-purpose local client.

7. A method for configuring and customizing a specific-purpose local client having a windows-based embedded image using extensible markup language (XML) configuration and obviating reinstallation of an entire windows-based embedded image onto the specific-purpose local client, the method comprising:

automatically locating, by a processor of the specific-purpose local client, a remote repository server containing an XML configuration file that is self-describing, user-definable, and validatable;

automatically obtaining, by the processor, the XML configuration file from the remote repository server each time the specific-purpose local client boots up;

automatically determining, by the processor each time the specific-purpose local client boots up, whether to reset a previous state of the windows-based embedded image based on the XML configuration file;

automatically applying, by the processor, a default configuration to the windows-based embedded image if it is determined that the previous state is to be reset; and

automatically applying, by the processor, a configuration change to the windows-based embedded image based on the XML configuration file, if it is determined that the previous state is to be reset;

wherein the configuration change persists across a reboot of the specific-purpose local client while obviating reinstallation of an entire windows-based embedded image on the specific-purpose local client; and

wherein the windows-based embedded image supports a graphical user interface and comprises an operating system and one or more applications dedicated to the specific purpose.

8. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions executable by a processing system to perform a method for configuring and customizing a specific-purpose local client having a windows-based embedded image using extensible markup language (XML) configuration and obviating reinstallation of an entire windows-based embedded image onto the specific-purpose local client, the instructions comprising code for:

automatically locating, by a processor of the specific-purpose local client, a remote repository server containing an XML configuration file that is self-describing, user-definable, and validatable;

automatically obtaining, by the processor, the XML configuration file from the remote repository server each time the specific-purpose local client boots up;

automatically determining, by the processor each time the specific-purpose local client boots up, whether to reset a previous state of the windows-based embedded image based on the XML configuration file;

automatically applying, by the processor, a default configuration to the windows-based embedded image if it is determined that the previous state is to be reset; and

automatically applying, by the processor, a configuration change to the windows-based embedded image based on the XML configuration file if it is determined that the previous state is to be reset;

wherein the configuration change persists across a reboot of the specific-purpose local client while obviating reinstallation of an entire windows-based embedded image on the specific-purpose local client; and

wherein the windows-based embedded image supports a graphical user interface and comprises an operating system and one or more applications dedicated to the specific purpose.