Distributed IT Device Management System with Local Caching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional IT management systems are inefficient in handling a large number of networked IT devices, leading to overwhelming data volumes and alert notifications, which hampers effective management by IT administrators.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising device management units and a core management unit that collect, manage, and cache device data from network devices, with the core unit maintaining persistent data and managing policies, allowing efficient data transfer and administration even when the core unit is unavailable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single management apparatus is used to manage network devices, then the system structure is simple, but the system becomes inefficient when handling a large number of devices and generates overwhelming data volumes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanagement efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the management apparatus into multiple distributed management nodes that independently manage subsets of network devices. Each node collects and processes device data locally, then aggregates results centrally. This segmentation enables the system to handle large numbers of devices efficiently while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If all device data is collected and transmitted through the network continuously, then complete monitoring is achieved, but network bandwidth is overwhelmed and data transmission efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring completenessVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only essential and changed device data for transmission over the network, rather than continuously transmitting all device data. Local management nodes filter and prioritize data based on significance and changes from previous states, reducing network bandwidth consumption while maintaining reliable monitoring of critical parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic data collection and transmission cycles instead of continuous data streaming. Management nodes collect device data at scheduled intervals and transmit aggregated information at these periodic intervals, reducing network bandwidth usage while ensuring timely detection of device status changes through appropriate polling frequencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If the management apparatus processes all device data centrally, then centralized control is maintained, but the processing load becomes overwhelming and response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized controlVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data processing functions between distributed management nodes and a central coordination server. Management nodes perform initial data filtering, aggregation, and local analysis independently, then transmit only processed results and critical events to the central server. This segmentation reduces the central processing load and accelerates local response times while preserving centralized oversight through the coordination server.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If management policies are applied uniformly to all devices, then policy management is simplified, but the system cannot adapt to device-specific requirements and management needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolicy customizationVSAvoidpolicy management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables management policies to be customized at both the global and local levels. The central coordination server maintains master policy definitions that can be selectively applied to groups of devices, while individual management nodes can create and enforce device-specific policy variations based on local requirements. This hierarchical policy framework provides adaptability for device-specific needs while maintaining simplified overall policy management through inheritance and override mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2518946B1Device management system
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP2518946B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2518946B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2518946B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Systems, apparatuses and methods are provided for managing a plurality of information technology devices in an information technology environment in which the plurality of information technology devices are connected to a network.