Centralized Configuration Server for Heterogeneous Network Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern computer networks with heterogeneous devices and evolving resources face challenges in administrative, configuration, and deployment due to diverse user requirements and concurrent software development, leading to logistical complexity in managing thousands of distributed applications.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for remote configuration of heterogeneous network devices from a centralized location, using an application solution descriptor to maintain resource representations, configuration parameters, and device profiles, enabling synchronized deployment of resources across devices participating in distributed application solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If distributed software systems with heterogeneous devices are deployed to meet diverse user requirements, then system versatility and user satisfaction improve, but administrative and configuration complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a configuration server as an intermediary between administrators and heterogeneous network devices. This server maintains a centralized configuration database that stores device profiles, application settings, and resource information. The server automatically generates and pushes configuration data to target devices, eliminating the need for manual configuration of each device and reducing administrative complexity while supporting diverse device types.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration server implements a universal configuration management system that can handle multiple device types (mobile phones, PDAs, laptops, desktops) through a single interface. By maintaining device profiles that capture hardware and software characteristics of different device classes, the system applies universal configuration procedures across heterogeneous devices, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual configuration of each network device is performed to meet specific user requirements, then configuration precision improves, but time consumption and labor resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration actions by maintaining a centralized configuration database that pre-stores device profiles, application settings, and resource configurations. Before actual device deployment or updates, the configuration server prepares configuration data in advance and pushes it to target devices automatically. This preliminary action ensures configuration precision while eliminating time-consuming manual configuration steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration server creates and manages copies of configuration data for multiple devices. Instead of manually configuring each device individually, the system generates configuration copies from template profiles and distributes them automatically. This copying mechanism maintains configuration precision across multiple devices while dramatically reducing the time and labor required compared to manual configuration.
3Reliability
If concurrent software development with updates and patches is implemented, then software functionality and reliability improve, but deployment complexity and synchronization difficulties increase
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration server implements a feedback mechanism that monitors the software version and configuration state of deployed devices. When software updates or patches are developed, the server detects changes in the configuration database, identifies affected devices through feedback from device status reports, and automatically pushes updated configuration data. This feedback loop ensures software reliability through timely updates while simplifying deployment complexity by automating the synchronization process.
4Ease of operation
If centralized configuration management is implemented across distributed devices, then administrative control and configuration consistency improve, but network communication overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts configuration management functionality from individual distributed devices and consolidates it into a separate centralized configuration server. This extraction allows administrators to control and configure devices centrally through a unified interface, improving ease of operation. The server maintains a configuration database that is separate from device operations, reducing system complexity by isolating management functions from execution functions while maintaining centralized control.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method and system for remote configuration of heterogeneous network devices from a centralized location.