Dynamic Hierarchical Tagging for Network Asset Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In corporate enterprise networks, managing and organizing rapidly changing network assets, such as devices with varying IP addresses, patch levels, vulnerabilities, and software installations, is challenging due to the dynamic nature of these attributes.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic hierarchical tagging system connected through a remote communications network, comprising a master controller, job management server, scanners, scan logic processor, tagging logic engine, and indexing logic processor, which scans, tags, and indexes network assets based on their attributes, allowing for real-time organization and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network assets are organized into static groups, then asset management structure is simple, but the groups become outdated quickly as asset attributes change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic tagging where asset groups automatically adjust based on real-time asset attributes. Tags are assigned dynamically according to asset characteristics such as IP address, device type, and security status, allowing groups to evolve as assets change without manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in asset parameters (IP address, hostname, device type, security patches) and automatically reassigns tags based on these parameter changes. When asset attributes change, the tagging logic engine evaluates new parameters and updates group memberships accordingly.
2Productivity
If manual organization of network assets is used, then system complexity is low, but time consumption and labor intensity are high
Solution Approach 1:
The asset organization system operates autonomously by automatically discovering assets, evaluating their attributes, assigning appropriate tags, and updating group memberships without human intervention. The system self-manages the entire tagging workflow from asset discovery to group organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors asset attributes and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust tag assignments. When asset properties change, the system detects these changes and automatically reassigns tags to maintain accurate group organization, creating a closed-loop automated management system.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive asset attributes are tracked, then asset management accuracy is high, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides asset attributes into distinct categories (network properties, device characteristics, security status, software information) and processes each category separately through specialized scan modules. This segmentation allows comprehensive tracking while managing processing complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a normalization layer that acts as an intermediary between raw scan data and the tagging logic. This normalization process standardizes diverse asset attributes into consistent formats, simplifying subsequent processing and tag assignment while maintaining comprehensive tracking capability.
4Reliability
If frequent scanning of network assets is performed, then asset information is up-to-date, but network bandwidth and system resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs asset scanning at scheduled intervals rather than continuously, balancing information freshness with resource conservation. Scanning frequency can be adjusted based on asset criticality and change rates, allowing reliable asset tracking while minimizing network bandwidth consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamical hierarchical tagging system connected to a user site through a remote communications network. The system may comprise a master controller, a job management server connected to the master controller, one or more scanners in communication with the job management server, wherein the one or more scanners are configured to scan for one or more user assets located at the user site, resulting in scan results, a scan logic processor connected to the master controller, wherein the scan logic processor is configured to store the scan results in a user database, a tagging logic engine connected to the master controller, wherein the tagging logic engine is configured to tag the scan results stored in the user database, and an indexing logic processor connected to the master controller, wherein the indexing logic processor is configured to search and index the tagged scan results stored in the user database.