Data Center Asset Client Module for Bidirectional Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud-based data center management systems face challenges with one-way communication channels hindered by firewalls, proxies, and complex network setups, necessitating an always-connected, bidirectional connection for secure real-time management of data center assets.
Innovation Solution
A connectivity management system with a client module and aggregator establishes secure, bidirectional connections between data center assets and management consoles, enabling real-time management and monitoring by providing interconnectivity information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If firewalls and proxies are deployed to secure network communications, then security is improved, but communication channels become one-way and connectivity management operations are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the management system initiate connections to secured assets (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by having the client module on the asset side initiate connections to the management system. This allows bidirectional communication while maintaining security through the existing firewall/proxy configuration, as the asset-initiated connections are permitted through the security infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a client module as an intermediary component installed on each data center asset. This client module acts as a mediator that establishes connections to the connectivity management system while navigating through firewalls and proxies. The client module handles the complexity of connection establishment and maintains bidirectional communication channels through the security infrastructure.
2Reliability
If complex network setups with firewalls and proxies are implemented, then security and network control are improved, but real-time bidirectional connection establishment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The client module on each data center asset autonomously performs connection establishment to the connectivity management system without requiring manual configuration or complex setup procedures. The module self-manages the connection process by detecting network conditions, establishing appropriate connections through firewalls and proxies, and maintaining bidirectional communication channels, thereby simplifying the overall connection establishment process despite the complex network environment.
3Reliability
If one-way communication channels are used through firewalls, then security is maintained, but real-time management and monitoring operations are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the static one-way communication model into a dynamic bidirectional communication system. The client module continuously establishes and maintains multiple active connections to the connectivity management system, enabling real-time data exchange in both directions. This dynamic connection model allows management operations to proceed in real-time while security is maintained through the secured channels established by the client module.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and computer-readable medium are disclosed for performing a data center connectivity management operation. The connectivity management operation includes: providing a data center asset with a data center asset client module; establishing a connection between the data center asset client module and a connectivity management system, the connectivity management system comprising a connectivity management system aggregator; determining whether an endpoint is coupled to the data center asset client module; identifying interconnectivity information associated with the data center asset client module and the endpoint; and, providing the connectivity management system aggregator with the interconnectivity information.