Importance

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Abstract

A Storage Manager that dynamically manipulates and partitions the secondary storage of a computer device without re-writing or revising the secondary storage after each manipulation. The Storage Manager is represented by executable code between the firmware level and the run time operating system and application program level of a computer device. Means are provided to transfer control of the computer device to the Storage Manager prior to the run time operating system or application program gaining control of the computer device. Storage Manager includes a Virtual Table of Contents (VTOC), in which relevant identifying information is contained for each Partition of the secondary storage. At least one Cabinet is created, containing a list of Partitions. Each Cabinet can have a separate list of Partitions, and one Partition can be included in more than one Cabinet. One of the Cabinets is designated as an Active Cabinet. Upon continuation of the boot sequence, the contents (ie., the list of Partitions within that Cabinet) replace the partition list of the secondary storage device. If the secondary storage device is bootable, then the Partition within that Cabinet marked as bootable is bootstrapped and is loaded into main memory. The contents of the Partitions and Cabinets may be modified by a user through a graphical user interface.

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First Claim