Distributed Network Diagnostics for Enterprise Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network diagnostics tools are inadequate for large-scale, cross-platform diagnostics across diverse client devices operating on different networks, making it challenging for IT administrators to identify and troubleshoot network connectivity issues, especially when devices transition between wired and wireless connections, leading to increased support requests and productivity losses.
Innovation Solution
A distributed network diagnostics platform that allows IT administrators to send a single command to a group of client devices, regardless of their operating systems or network configurations, to validate network connections and aggregate diagnostic data securely, enabling efficient identification of root causes through iterative diagnostic processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If IT administrators manually troubleshoot each client device individually, then they can identify network connectivity issues, but the troubleshooting time and overhead increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the troubleshooting process into automated diagnostic tasks that can be distributed across multiple client devices simultaneously. Instead of manually investigating each device sequentially, the system divides the diagnostic work into executable tasks that run in parallel on target devices, significantly reducing total troubleshooting time while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling client devices to automatically execute diagnostic tasks and collect network connectivity data without requiring manual administrator intervention for each device. The devices autonomously perform measurements, gather logs, and transmit results back to the administrator, eliminating repetitive manual troubleshooting steps.
2Measurement precision
If IT administrators troubleshoot multiple client devices experiencing failures, then they can identify root causes, but the complexity of the troubleshooting effort compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the troubleshooting process across multiple client devices by collecting and aggregating diagnostic data from all devices into a unified view. This consolidation allows administrators to compare results, identify common patterns, and determine root causes affecting multiple devices simultaneously, reducing the compounded complexity of handling each device separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary diagnostic platform that acts as a mediator between administrators and multiple client devices. This platform manages task distribution, collects results, and presents aggregated data, simplifying the administrator's workflow and reducing the perceived complexity of troubleshooting multiple devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If client devices transition between wired and wireless network interfaces, then employees can access enterprise resources remotely, but network connectivity issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by executing diagnostic tasks before network connectivity issues manifest or worsen. The system proactively monitors network transitions and performs diagnostic measurements in advance, allowing administrators to detect potential problems before they affect productivity, thus maintaining both flexibility and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor network connectivity status across client devices and provide real-time information to administrators. This feedback loop enables the system to detect connectivity issues arising from interface transitions and trigger appropriate diagnostic responses, maintaining network reliability while preserving access flexibility.
4Productivity
If distributed diagnostic tasks are executed across multiple client devices, then diagnostic data can be collected efficiently, but data security and privacy must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each client device to execute diagnostic tasks locally and process data in place, minimizing the need to transmit sensitive information across the network. Only aggregated, anonymized results are sent to the administrator, maintaining data security while preserving diagnostic efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces security intermediaries that manage data transmission between client devices and administrators. These intermediaries encrypt sensitive information, control access permissions, and ensure that diagnostic data is handled securely throughout the collection and analysis process, maintaining both efficiency and security.
Data Source
AI summary
In response to receiving an indication from a client device experiencing a network connectivity error, a grouping of target client devices is identified for purposes of executing a distributed network diagnostic, the grouping being identified based on one or more configuration settings associated with client devices. The client devices in the identified grouping retrieve and execute an instruction. Data generated upon executing the instruction is received from each client device over a device management channel. The data is aggregated and trend data is generated. An instruction is sent to the client device experiencing the network connectivity error, wherein the instruction mitigates the network connectivity error.