Method and apparatus for distributed operating system image deployment

A method of data distribution, comprising:

• receiving instructions from an end user device, the instructions identifying at least one device and at least one image;
• transmitting at least one of the at least one image or information regarding the location of at least one of the at least one image to the at least one device to receive the at least one image;
• operating the at least one device, the at least one device including at least a storage device capable of being partitioned, the storage device including a second partition with a second operating system, and a first partition with a first operating system;
• transmitting registration information to a central repository of images connected to the at least one device with one or more networks to receive instructions to operate the first operating system;
• receiving instructions by the at least one device to operate the first operating system from the central repository of images connected to the at least one device with the one or more networks;
• changing an active partition to the first partition, and rebooting the at least one device to operate with the first operating system in response to receiving instructions to operate the first operating system from the central repository of images;
• receiving instructions from the central repository of images to receive a third operating system;
• receiving the image, the image including at least one or more files to execute the third operating system;
• removing the second operating system from the second partition:
• installing the third operating system on the second partition and changing the active partition to the second partition, and rebooting the at least one device to operate with the third operating system;
• and
• receiving an indication from the at least one device that the at least one image is operational.

A method of data distribution, comprising:

• operating a device, the device including at least a storage device capable of being partitioned, the storage device including a second partition with a second operating system, and a first partition with a first operating system;
• transmitting registration information to a central repository of images connected to the device with one or more networks to receive instructions to operate the first operating system;
• receiving instructions by the device to operate the first operating system from the central repository of images connected to the device with the one or more networks;
• changing an active partition to the first partition, and rebooting the device to operate with the first operating system, in response to receiving instructions to operate the first operating system from the central repository of images;
• receiving instructions from the central repository of images to receive a third operating system;
• receiving an image, the image including at least one or more files to execute the third operating system;
• removing the second operating system from the second partition;
• and
• installing the third operating system on the second partition and changing the active partition to the second partition, and rebooting the device to operate with the third operating system.

An apparatus for distributing an operating system, comprising:

• logic comprising a plurality of processors and operable to:
• partition a storage device of a device into a first partition and a second partition;
• install a first operating system into the first partition of the storage device, wherein the device transmits registration information to a central repository of images connected to the device with one or more networks after the first operating system is installed onto the first partition to obtain an image of a second operating system;
• obtain the image of the second operating system, the image including at least a second operating system pre-configured for operation with the device;
• and
• install, using the first operating system, the image of the second operating system to the second partition of the storage device.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that when executed by one or more processors causes the one or more processors to:

• partition a storage device of a device into a first partition and a second partition;
• install a first operating system into the first partition of the storage device, wherein the device transmits registration information to a central repository of images connected to the device with one or more networks after the first operating system is installed onto the first partition to obtain an image of a second operating system;
• obtain the image of the second operating system, the image including at least a second operating system pre-configured for operation with the device;
• and
• install, using the first operating system, the image of the second operating system to the second partition of the storage device.