Data Center Asset Client Module Bidirectional Connectivity Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud-based data center management systems face challenges with one-way communication channels that are hindered by firewalls, proxies, and complex network setups, making real-time, bidirectional connectivity management of data center assets on customer premises difficult.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for establishing a secure communication channel between a data center asset client module and a connectivity management system, allowing for bidirectional connectivity management through a mobile device application, using a CMS client to initiate and manage connections securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional one-way communication channels are used through firewalls and proxies, then network security is maintained, but real-time bidirectional connectivity management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a connectivity management system (CMS) as an intermediary component that establishes secure communication channels between data center assets and external systems. The CMS acts as a mediator that facilitates bidirectional communication while maintaining security boundaries, allowing operators to manage connectivity without directly breaching firewall protections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments communication into controlled channels: the mobile device application interfaces with the CMS, which then manages separate communication paths to different data center assets. This segmentation allows bidirectional management capabilities while maintaining isolated secure boundaries for each asset connection.
2Reliability
If complex network setups with firewalls and proxies are implemented, then security is enhanced, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device application incorporates automated provisioning capabilities that allow operators to self-configure connectivity management without requiring deep network knowledge. The system automatically handles certificate management, channel establishment, and asset registration, reducing the complexity burden on end users.
Solution Approach 2:
The connectivity management system serves as an intermediary layer that abstracts complex network configuration details from end users. Operators interact with simplified interfaces while the CMS handles the underlying complexity of firewall rules, proxy configurations, and secure channel establishment.
3Productivity
If secure communication channels are established between mobile devices and data center assets, then real-time management is enabled, but connection establishment time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing communication infrastructure and authentication mechanisms before actual asset management operations. The CMS maintains ready-to-use secure channels and pre-configured connection templates, enabling rapid asset onboarding and reducing real-time connection establishment delays.
Solution Approach 2:
Once secure channels are established, the system maintains continuous connectivity for ongoing asset management operations. The persistent connection allows real-time monitoring and control without requiring repeated authentication handshakes, reducing overall time loss while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and computer-readable medium 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 a mobile device application and a connectivity management system; submitting a request to the connectivity management system via the mobile device application to establish connectivity with the data center asset client module; establishing a connection between the data center asset client module and the connectivity management system based upon the request; and, exchanging information between the data center asset client module and the data connectivity management system via the secure communication channel between the data center asset client module and the connectivity management system.