Agentless Data Collection via Script Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data collection methods require the installation of expensive and high-maintenance software agents on servers, which is cumbersome and poses security risks, especially in diverse server environments where a 'one size fits all' solution is hard to implement, and existing agentless solutions are limited in their ability to collect data from various configurations and present security concerns.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an agentless data collection system that uses scripts analyzed against security policies to collect data in real-time by transmitting scripts for immediate execution on the server, allowing for secure and flexible data collection without the need for agent installation, using a centralized service that probes targets and employs secure communication techniques and authentication credentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software agents are installed on servers to collect data, then data collection capability is improved, but device complexity and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data collection function from the server system itself and places it in a separate centralized collection server. The collection server communicates with data servers through standardized protocols (WMI, SNMP, REST APIs) without requiring agents to be installed on the data servers. This extraction eliminates agent installation complexity while maintaining data collection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized collection server as an intermediary between the administrator and the data servers. This intermediary handles all data collection operations remotely through network protocols, eliminating the need for direct agent installation on each server. The intermediary approach maintains collection capability while reducing on-server complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customized agents are designed for each server type to ensure compatibility, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal collection server that can communicate with multiple server types through standardized protocols. Instead of creating customized agents for each server type, the collection server uses protocol-based universal communication (WMI for Windows, SNMP for networking, REST APIs for web services) to collect data from diverse servers, eliminating the need for type-specific agent customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from customizing agents to changing communication parameters. The collection server adapts to different server types by adjusting protocol parameters and query configurations rather than installing different agents. This parameter-based adaptation maintains versatility while reducing complexity.
3Reliability
If agent-based data collection is used, then data collection comprehensive is improved, but cost and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables data servers to self-report their status and performance data through standardized protocols without requiring active agent software. The servers autonomously provide information about their health, performance metrics, and configuration through built-in management interfaces, eliminating the need for administrative intervention in agent installation and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical agent installation system with network-based communication protocols. Instead of physically installing and managing software agents on each server, the system uses standardized network protocols (WMI, SNMP, REST) to transmit data, eliminating the mechanical aspects of agent deployment and reducing maintenance time.
4Ease of operation
If agentless data collection is used to avoid agent installation, then ease of operation is improved, but security concerns and access requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a centralized collection server as an intermediary that communicates with data servers through authorized network protocols. This intermediary approach allows data collection without direct low-level access to server systems, as the collection server operates through standardized interfaces that maintain security boundaries while enabling data retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct system-level access mechanisms with network-based protocol communication. Instead of requiring low-level access to install agents, the system uses authorized network protocols (WMI, SNMP, REST APIs) that provide data collection capabilities while maintaining security through established network authentication and authorization mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Tools and techniques for collecting data from target systems without the need for installation of expensive and high-maintenance software agents on the target systems. In some cases, these tools can be used to collect performance data from collection targets while still allowing the operator(s) of the collection targets to govern the access of the tools, alleviating security concerns. Merely by way of example, certain tools employ data collection scripts, which may be analyzed by the collection target against security policies of that collection target, to ensure that the scripts will not take any actions that might violate such security policies. Other tools may be used to collect data in real time by transmitting a script for immediate execution by the host system, which could then return the data produced by the script immediately upon completion (and/or as part of execution of the script).