Dynamic Network Client Administration via Real-Time Configuration Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for remotely administering networked devices are inefficient, as they rely on manual identification and static configuration queries, which are not dynamic and cannot perform diverse administrative actions based on real-time device configurations.
Innovation Solution
A system that dynamically identifies and administers networked clients by defining configurations of interest on a server, communicating these configurations to clients, evaluating client states, and performing associated actions, allowing for continuous monitoring and updating of client configurations without requiring manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If static configuration queries are sent to collect device information, then device configuration data can be gathered and reported, but the data becomes invalid as soon as device configuration changes and requires re-querying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration monitoring where the system continuously tracks configuration parameters in real-time rather than relying on static snapshots. Configuration changes are detected automatically and triggered actions are executed immediately, ensuring data validity without requiring periodic re-querying. This transforms the static query-report model into a dynamic event-driven model that maintains information accuracy continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback mechanism where configuration changes are automatically detected and reported back to the administration system. This feedback loop ensures that the central database always has current configuration information, eliminating the need for manual re-querying and maintaining data validity through continuous monitoring and automatic update notification.
2Ease of operation
If manual identification methods are used to identify networked devices for administration, then devices can be added to groups for administrative actions, but the process is time-consuming and not scalable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service identification where devices automatically identify themselves by reporting their configuration parameters to the central database. The administration system can then query and identify target devices based on configuration criteria without manual intervention. This self-reporting mechanism eliminates time-consuming manual device identification and enables scalable automated administration across large networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses configuration parameter changes as the basis for automatic device identification and grouping. Instead of manual device selection, the administration system defines configuration criteria and the system automatically identifies and groups devices matching those parameters, dramatically improving administration efficiency and scalability while reducing manual operational steps.
3Device complexity
If configuration data is harvested centrally in one step and then queried as a second step, then data collection is simplified, but actions cannot be performed on devices based on their exact configuration at the point the action is to be carried out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary configuration harvesting where the central database continuously collects and stores configuration data from all devices in advance. This pre-collected data is maintained in the database and can be immediately queried when administrative actions are needed, eliminating the two-step process delay and ensuring that actions are performed based on the most current configuration data available at the time of execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous configuration data collection and updating in the central database, rather than periodic batch harvesting. This continuous data availability ensures that when administrative actions are initiated, the system can immediately query and execute based on the exact current configuration of devices, maintaining both operational simplicity and configuration timing accuracy simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
The present inventive subject matter relates to networked computing environments and more specifically to dynamic identification and administration of networked clients. Various embodiments of the present inventive subject matter include systems and methods for defining, on a server, a configuration of interest comprising one or more potential properties of a client, communicating the configurations of interest over a network to one or more clients, dynamically evaluating a client state relative to the configurations of interest, and communicating a representation of the client state in relation to the configuration of interest to the server. Further embodiments include automatically creating and displaying associations of clients based on configurations of interest. Yet further embodiments include clients requesting and receiving updates to the configurations of interest. Still further embodiments include actions associated with configurations of interest. Such actions, in various embodiments, include performing administrative actions on various networked clients.