Abstract:
A simple to customize IT infrastructure architecture. The IT infrastructure architecture includes a general-purpose virtualized architecture platform. The IT infrastructure architecture is well suited for delivering simple pre-packaged software solutions to the small business segment as plug and play type appliances. In certain preferred embodiments, the IT infrastructure architecture includes a virtual appliance memory device such as a virtual appliance universal serial bus (USB) key. The IT infrastructure architecture uses embedded server virtualization technology to host business applications as a virtual appliance.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application relates to application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket Number DC-14303), filed herewith, entitled “Modular Virtual Machine Server” and naming Gary Huber, Kevin Kettler, Yuan-Chang Lo, William Dale Todd Nix, as inventors, the application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to information handling systems and more particularly to virtualization based personalizable consumer electronics platform. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
         [0006]    Consumer electronics devices continue to mature to include consumer electronics type information handling systems. Consumer electronics type information handling systems enable content migration from a media information handling system to a living room as well as enabling televisions for broadband. One example of such a consumer electronics type information handling system includes a direct memory access (DMA) functionality using software such as the Microsoft extender technology software. Such a system provides no control over a software architecture to enable future services and provides no manufacturer differentiation. 
         [0007]    Other issues relating to consumer electronics type information handling systems include limited adoption due to high set up costs and customer awareness. Often known solution slack flexibility in terms of controlling software ad hardware distribution. Often known solutions do not offer personalization. 
         [0008]    Attempting to address these issues via known information handling system platforms can also present challenges. For example, known information handling system platforms generally use well-defined development evolution based upon standard architectures. Also within known information handling system platforms, extensibility for added features is usually enabled using add in network interface controllers and controllers within predefined expansion slots such as PCIe slots. Other expansion may be accomplished via embedded controller for storage and multimedia playback devices. Such platforms have often include well defined end user models for Internet access, email and office type applications as well as the inability to provide a customer with a secure environment to plug in certain desired services or applications. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an easily manageable and expandable array of consumer electronics based functions to consumers with limited or no information technology (IT) capabilities. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In accordance with the present invention, a simple to customize consumer electronics type information handling system infrastructure architecture is provided. The consumer electronics type information handling system infrastructure architecture includes a general purpose virtualized x 86  architecture platform. The consumer electronics type information handling system infrastructure architecture is well suited for delivering simple pre-packaged software solutions to a consumer segment as plug and play type appliances. In certain preferred embodiments, the consumer electronics type information handling system infrastructure architecture includes a virtual appliance memory device such as a virtual appliance universal serial bus (USB) key. The consumer electronics type information handling system infrastructure architecture uses virtualization technology to host consumer applications as a virtual appliance. 
         [0011]    Thus, the consumer electronics type information handling system provides a hybrid architecture to enable an end user to build extensibility features and applications using virtualized modules coupled to a central kernel hardware architecture model based on a known hardware architecture such as the X86 hardware architecture. Such a system provides a stable platform with no variability from one user to another. Additionally, such a system provides for an easy plug and play of services and the flexibility to port an appliance from one system to another such as providing an easy method for moving games or movies from one system to another. Additionally, such a system provide for an easily configured media server, and content delivery platform. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for delivering pre-packaged software solutions to a consumer electronics type information handling system that includes providing a virtual machine (VM) host comprising a plurality of VM resources operable to execute virtual machines, providing a virtual appliance memory device where the virtual appliance memory device includes a virtual appliance that comprises an application stored on the virtual appliance memory device, installing the virtual appliance onto the virtual machine host via the virtual appliance memory device, and hosting the application via the virtual appliance. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the invention relates to an apparatus for delivering pre-packaged software solutions to a consumer electronics type information handling system that includes a virtual machine (VM) host comprising a plurality of VM resources operable to execute virtual machines, a virtual appliance memory device that includes a virtual appliance comprising an application stored on the virtual appliance memory device, means for installing the virtual appliance onto the virtual machine host via the virtual appliance memory device, and means for hosting the application via the virtual appliance. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, the invention relates to a consumer electronics type information handling system that includes a virtual appliance memory device for delivering pre-packaged software solutions to the information handling system where the virtual appliance memory device includes a virtual appliance comprising an application stored on the virtual appliance memory device, a virtual machine (VM) host comprising a plurality of VM resources operable to execute virtual machines wherein the virtual machine host installs the virtual appliance onto the virtual machine host via the virtual appliance memory device and hosts the application via the virtual appliance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a system block diagram of an information handling system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a system block diagram of a consumer electronics type information handling system infrastructure architecture. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a flow chart of the operation of a consumer electronics type information handling system infrastructure architecture. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a flow chart of the operation of a consumer electronics type information handling system infrastructure architecture. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a conceptual perspective view of a panel of a consumer electronics type information handling system. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  shows a block diagram a consumer electronics type information handling system architecture environment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  shows a block diagram of a home multimedia network using a consumer electronics type information handling system architecture. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Referring briefly to  FIG. 1 , a system block diagram of a consumer electronics type information handling system  100  is shown. The information handling system  100  includes a processor  102 , input/output (I/O) devices  104 , such as a display, a keyboard, a mouse, and associated controllers (each of which may be coupled to remotely to the information handling system  100 ), a memory  106  including volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM) and non-volatile memory such as a hard disk and drive, and other storage devices  108 , such as an optical disk and drive and other memory devices, and various other subsystems  110 , all interconnected via one or more buses  112 . One example of another storage device  108  is a virtual appliance memory device such as a virtual appliance USB key  120 . The I/O devices  104  can also include a remote control  130 . 
         [0024]    The virtual appliance USB key  120  can include one or a plurality of virtual appliances. Each virtual appliance is a self-contained virtual machine that implements a consumer solution (including an operating system (OS), and application and a default configuration). Examples of self-contained virtual machines can include a productivity module and browser, a media server/content delivery module, a home finance/online banking module, a gaming module, a personal networking module, a home automation and security module, and a home design and maintenance module. Because the virtual machines are self-contained and isolated using virtualization technology, each solution can be preconfigured and ready to use, without a customer having to install and configure the solution. Additionally, the virtual machines provide a stable platform which have no variability when moved from one user or system to another user or system. 
         [0025]    Each of the virtual appliances is installed on the information handling system  100  via a respective virtual appliance USB key  120  (e.g., a personalization pod). Using a virtual appliance USB key  120  not only simplifies an initial installation, but also subsequent need to move the virtual machine if the capacity of the information handling system is exceeded.  FIG. 2  shows the architecture diagram of the consumer electronics type information handling system  100 . 
         [0026]    For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a system block diagram of a consumer electronics type information handling system infrastructure architecture  200  is shown. More specifically, consumer electronics type information handling system hardware  210  executes a virtual machine manager application  212  (which may be e.g., a hypervisor). The consumer electronics type information handling system infrastructure architecture  200  also includes a service operation system  214  that is executed by the hardware  210 . 
         [0028]    One or more virtual appliance USB keys  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c  may be coupled to the hardware  210 . Each of the USB keys  120  allow a self contained virtual appliance  220  to be installed on the server  210 . In certain embodiments, a digital certificate of authenticity (COA) is included with each virtual appliance  220 . The COA is checked by the virtual hardware  210  before the appliance is installed onto the system  200 . 
         [0029]    A data structure with computing resource requirements is included with each virtual appliance on the USB key. These include CPU requirements, memory requirements, storage requirements, and network bandwidth requirements. Before a virtual appliance is installed, the virtual machine manager  212  ensures that it has enough capacity to host the appliance. The virtual machine manager  212  also contains a resource meter (which may be located on a panel of the information handling system) to represent current resource capacity and remaining resource capacity to simplify capacity planning. The virtual machine manager  212  can also maintain a database of all virtual machines that have been coupled to the device. In this way if a virtual machine is removed and then reinserted, the certification process can be expedited. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the system may have a more limited set of virtual machines to which the system is authorized. In this case, the virtual machine manager  212  can maintain information regarding the more limited set of virtual machines. 
         [0030]    Because the personalization pods are self contained and isolated using virtualization technology, each solution can be preconfigured and ready to use, without a customer having to install and configure the solution. The personalization pods are installed onto the hardware via physical memory devices, such as USB keys, which not only simplify the initial installation, but also any subsequent move of the virtual machine such as if the capacity of the hardware is exceeded or if a virtual machine is moved from one device to another. 
         [0031]    The virtual machine manager  212  is configured to allow only certified appliances to plug in to the device. Any time a consumer plugs in a non-certified appliance, the virtual machine manager will prompt the user to use a compatible version, or direct the user to a particular website (e.g., a particular universal resource locator (URL)) where the consumer can purchase or certify particular appliances or applications. In certain embodiments, the authentication and certification may be via an asymmetric encryption such s a Deffie-Hellman type encryption, also referred to a asymmetric encryption because it uses two keys instead of a single key. In this case, the public key would be used by the service provider and the secret key would be stored securely on the virtual machine or the virtual machine manager. 
         [0032]    In certain embodiment, the hardware can include support for high definition (e.g., Blu-ray type) memory devices. The virtual machine manager  212  can thus enable playback of the high definition memory devices on the system. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a flow chart of the operation of a virtual appliance installation module  300  is shown. More specifically, when the virtual machine manager  212  detects a USB key insertion event at step  310 , the virtual machine manager  212  determines whether the USB key is an authorized virtual appliance (VA) key (e.g., does the VA key correspond to a particular application) at step  312 . If the key is not an authorized key, then the virtual appliance installation operation exits. If the key is an authorized key, then the virtual machine manager  212  analyzes the digital certificate of authenticity at step  314  and determines whether the virtual appliance includes a valid license at step  316 . If the license is not valid, then the virtual appliance installation operation launches a web browser to access a virtual appliance licensing set at step  320 . 
         [0034]    If the license is valid, then the virtual appliance installation operation accesses the resources of the hardware at step  318 . The virtual appliance installation operation then determines whether the hardware  210  is over capacity at step  332  based upon the available resources of the hardware  210  as well as the resources needed by the virtual appliance. If the hardware  210  is over capacity then the virtual appliance installation operation warns the user at step  334 . If the resource of the hardware  210  is exceeded (e.g., as determined by step  332 ), the user is warned by a front panel indicator of this condition. The user may proceed with a number of options. The user can ignore the warning and leave the USB key in the system, in which case the system performance may degrade. Alternately, the user may remove the USB key from the system and insert the key into another system with more system resource capacity. 
         [0035]    If the hardware  210  is not over capacity then the virtual appliance installation operation caches the virtual appliance to local storage or synchronizes the virtual appliance with a server copy at step  340 . Next, the virtual appliance installation operation launches or resumes operation of the virtual appliance at step  342 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a flow chart of the operation of a virtual appliance removal module  400  is shown. More specifically, when the virtual machine manager  212  detects a USB key removal event at step  410 , the virtual machine manager  212  suspends execution of the virtual appliance which corresponds to the removed key at step  420  and generates a notification of the suspended virtual appliance at step  422 . The front panel of the information handling system  100  also indicates the removal of the key. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a conceptual perspective view of a consumer electronics type information handling system is shown. More specifically, the consumer electronics type information handling system  500  includes a plurality of USB connections  510 . Each USB connection includes a corresponding connection indication  520 . The USB connection indication  520  can include an indicia (e.g., a color indication) of whether a virtual appliance is installed and executing on the consumer electronics type information handling system  100 . The consumer electronics type information handling system  500  also includes a slot  530  into which additional media (such as e.g., a DVD or CD-ROM) may be inserted. The consumer electronics type information handling system  500  also includes a provision for communicating (e.g., an infrared receiver located on the front panel of the system with the remote control device  130  or other types of I/O devices. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  shows a block diagram a consumer electronics type information handling system architecture environment  600 . More specifically, the information handling system  100  includes a plurality of application specific virtual machines (VM 1 , VM 2 , and VM 3 ), which are loaded via respective virtual appliance memory devices. Each application specific virtual machine includes a corresponding operating system (OS  1 , OS 2 , and OS 3 ) as well as a corresponding application (App 1 , App 2 , and App 3 ). The operating systems and applications execute on the hardware  210  under the control of the virtual machine manager  212 . The virtual machines can access the Internet  610 , either directly or via the hardware  210  of the system  100 . 
         [0039]    Each application may be directed to a particular consumer type application. For example, one application (e.g., App 1 ) interacts with a managed content services server  620  via the Internet  610 . Examples of manage content services include music types of services (such as download services or satellite radio services), video types of services (such as download services or video access services). Another application (e.g., App 2 ) interacts with a remote healthcare server  622  via the Internet  610 . The remote healthcare server enables a user to interact with hospitals or other types of health care services. The virtual machine includes any encryption information or patient information to facilitate the interaction with the healthcare server  622 . Another application (e.g., App 3 ) interacts with a banking server  624  via the Internet  610 . The banking server enables a user to interact with various banks to perform various online banking transactions. The virtual machine includes any encryption information or customer information to facilitate the interaction with the banking server  622 . 
         [0040]    The consumer electronics type information handling system architecture environment  600  also includes a resource directory  640  having an associated managed server resource pool  642 . The resource directory  640  is accessed by the system  100  when a virtual machine is coupled to the system to validate the virtual machine. The resource directory  640  can also provide service or update information to the system for each certified virtual machine. 
         [0041]      FIG. 7  shows a block diagram of a home multimedia network  700  using a consumer electronics type information handling system architecture. More specifically, a virtualization based consumer electronics device  710  (such as information handling system  100 ) may be configured as a set top box, which is coupled to audio and video equipment  712 . By using the virtualization based consumer electronics device  710 , a mode multimedia network  700  can be easily configured. For example, one of the virtual machines coupled to the device could be a network appliance type virtual machine. The virtualization based consumer electronics device  710  is coupled via a home multimedia network line  720  to an information handling system  730  within the home multimedia network  700 . The information handling system  730  stores personal content such as personal music, photos and videos which can then be presented on the audio and video equipment  712  via the virtualization based consumer electronics device  710 . 
         [0042]    Additionally, the virtualization based consumer electronics device  710  may be coupled to the Internet  610  via a residential gateway and network address translation module  740  and modem  742 . Access to the Internet allows access to Internet content providers such as the Movielink content provider, the CinemaNow content provider, the Akimbo content provider, the iTunes content provider, the Bit Torrent content provider, the Blockbuster content provider and the Guba content provider. 
         [0043]    The present invention is well adapted to attain the advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While the present invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to particular embodiments of the invention, such references do not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described embodiments are examples only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. 
         [0044]    For example, the virtual appliance memory device  120  may function as a license and resource management token and not necessarily as a storage device for the virtual appliance. 
         [0045]    Also for example, the virtual machine manager may include a unique user interface that executes on the hypervisor and display the current services that the customer can access. The user interface can also include notifications and messages to the user for different events and exceptions in a user friendly format. 
         [0046]    Also for example, the above-discussed embodiments include software modules that perform certain tasks. The software modules discussed herein may include script, batch, or other executable files. The software modules may be stored on a machine-readable or computer-readable storage medium such as a disk drive. Storage devices used for storing software modules in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may be magnetic floppy disks, hard disks, or optical discs such as CD-ROMs or CD-Rs, for example. A storage device used for storing firmware or hardware modules in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may also include a semiconductor-based memory, which may be permanently, removably, or remotely coupled to a microprocessor/memory system. Thus, the modules may be stored within a computer system memory to configure the computer system to perform the functions of the module. Other new and various types of computer-readable storage media may be used to store the modules discussed herein. Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that the separation of functionality into modules is for illustrative purposes. Alternative embodiments may merge the functionality of multiple modules into a single module or may impose an alternate decomposition of functionality of modules. For example, a software module for calling sub-modules may be decomposed so that each sub-module performs its function and passes control directly to another sub-module. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.