Bulk Device Setting Management via Template Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for collectively changing device settings across multiple devices through a firewall lack user convenience, requiring manual input for each device rather than allowing bulk setting changes.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that generates template information for setting values and association information to identify devices, enabling bulk setting changes by transmitting setting requests through a network, allowing administrators to apply settings to multiple devices efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If collective setting change techniques are used through a firewall, then device management efficiency is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to lack of individual customization options
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments setting changes into two distinct operations: bulk setting changes applied to multiple devices simultaneously, and individual setting changes applied to single devices. This segmentation allows administrators to choose the appropriate granularity for each task, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its behavior based on the administrator's needs by providing different operational modes: when bulk changes are needed, the system enables efficient batch processing; when individual customization is needed, the system switches to single-device mode. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible rather than fixed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual setting input is required for each device, then individual device control is maintained, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring setting templates that can be automatically applied to multiple devices. Administrators can define settings once in a template format, and the system automatically applies them to targeted devices, eliminating the need for repeated manual input and significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining individual device control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses copying by allowing administrators to create setting templates from one device's configuration and replicate them across multiple devices. This copying mechanism preserves the ability to control individual devices while avoiding the time-consuming process of manually configuring each device from scratch.
3Productivity
If bulk setting changes are implemented, then efficiency is improved, but flexibility for individual customization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between bulk operation mode and individual operation mode based on administrator requirements. In bulk mode, efficiency is maximized through template-based batch processing; in individual mode, customization flexibility is restored for specific devices. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by making both modes available rather than forcing a choice.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the setting change process into bulk operations for efficiency and individual operations for customization. Administrators can apply settings to multiple devices simultaneously when uniformity is needed, then override or customize settings for individual devices when specific adjustments are required. This segmentation preserves both efficiency and flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus, a system, and an information processing method. The information processing apparatus generates template information including a setting value to be set in the device, generates, based on the input through an association screen displayed on the administrator terminal, association information for associating the template information and device identification information for identifying a device among the plurality of devices, for which the setting value included in the template information is to be set, receives communication information transmitted from the plurality of devices including device identification information for identifying the device, and in response to receiving the communication information including the device identification information associated by the association information, transmits, to a transmission source device of the communication information, a setting request for setting the setting value included in the template information associated with the device identification information in the association information.