Distributed Mobile Device Management Agents
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile device management systems are vulnerable when a single management agent is removed or not running, leading to potential unauthorized access and disruption of enterprise content and applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a distributed mobile device management system with multiple management agents that cooperate to provide the functionality of a single management agent, allowing for shared information and operations through a secure connection bus, ensuring continuous management and security even if one agent is unavailable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single management agent is used on a mobile device, then the device management system is simple, but the system becomes vulnerable and unreliable when the agent is removed or not running
Solution Approach 1:
The management agent functionality is segmented into multiple independent agent instances that can operate autonomously. Each agent is a separate executable component that can function independently, ensuring that if one agent fails or is removed, other agents continue to provide management services. This segmentation transforms the single point of failure into a distributed system with redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of agent quantity from one to multiple, fundamentally altering the reliability characteristics. By introducing multiple agents with identical or complementary functionalities, the system achieves fault tolerance and continuous operation even when individual agents are unavailable.
2Reliability
If multiple management agents are deployed on a mobile device, then continuous management and security is ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple management agents are merged into a unified functional system through the secure connection bus. The agents share common resources, communication channels, and operational contexts, allowing them to function as a coordinated team rather than independent entities. This merging reduces the practical complexity despite having multiple agent instances.
Solution Approach 2:
Each management agent is designed with universal functionality to perform multiple management tasks. The agents can execute various management operations, access shared resources, and communicate with the management server through the secure connection bus. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized agents for different tasks, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple management agents cooperate through a secure connection bus, then shared information and operations are enabled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secure connection bus serves as an intermediary communication layer between multiple management agents and the management server. This intermediary structure provides standardized interfaces for information exchange and coordination, abstracting the complexity of inter-agent communication. The secure connection bus handles authentication, authorization, and data transmission securely, enabling collaboration without exposing underlying system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Distributed mobile device management including a plurality of management agents is disclosed. Management-related information may be retrieved from a storage location accessible to a plurality of management agents. The management-related information may have been provided to the storage location from a management agent associated with a managed application. And at least one operation may be performed based at least in part on the management-related information.