Endpoint Identification via Hardware Attributes and Clone Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endpoint management systems struggle to uniquely identify and track machines in computing environments, especially when attributes change, such as in virtual environments or when machines are cloned, as they rely on IP addresses, MAC addresses, and hardware attributes that may be inconsistent or change.
Innovation Solution
An endpoint management solution that uses a configurable set of hardware attributes to generate a unique endpoint identifier, which is periodically checked for changes, and employs a software identifier to facilitate identification and clone detection, allowing for consistent tracking across hardware changes and cloning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If network attributes (IP address, hostname, MAC address) are used to identify machines, then identification is simple, but the identification is unreliable because these attributes change over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the identification parameters from volatile network attributes to stable hardware attributes (processor type, processor serial number, system volume serial number, model, manufacturer). This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by selecting attributes that inherently do not change over time, thereby maintaining both ease of identification and long-term reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of hardware identification information that persists across system reboots, network reconfigurations, and even virtual machine migrations. This copied identification data maintains consistency while adapting to dynamic environments, resolving the reliability issue without sacrificing ease of identification.
2Reliability
If hardware attributes are used to identify machines, then identification is reliable, but it becomes complex in virtual environments where these values may change depending on location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal identification system that works across multiple environments (physical machines, virtual machines, different network configurations). The endpoint identifier serves the same function reliably whether the machine is physically located somewhere or virtualized elsewhere, resolving the adaptability issue while maintaining identification consistency through environment-independent hardware attribute collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to virtual environment changes by continuously monitoring hardware attributes and updating identification accordingly. When a virtual machine migrates or hardware is reconfigured, the system detects these changes and maintains consistent identification through dynamic attribute tracking, resolving the contradiction between reliability and virtual environment adaptability.
3Productivity
If machines are cloned using backup or virtual management software, then machine replication is enabled, but the ability to correctly identify and track the machine is impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors hardware attributes and compares them against stored identification data. When cloning occurs and hardware attributes change, the system receives feedback about these changes and automatically updates identification or detects clones, maintaining tracking accuracy while enabling machine replication productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification using hardware attributes before cloning occurs, establishing a baseline that can be used to detect subsequent changes. This preliminary action enables the system to recognize when cloning has occurred and maintain accurate tracking despite the replication, resolving the contradiction between replication capability and tracking accuracy.
4Reliability
If a unique identifier is generated based on hardware attributes, then consistent tracking is achieved, but the system complexity increases due to periodic checks and attribute monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having the endpoint machine itself periodically check its own hardware attributes and determine if changes occurred. This eliminates the need for complex centralized monitoring systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable tracking consistency through distributed self-monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic checks at reasonable intervals to monitor hardware attribute changes rather than continuous monitoring. This periodic action reduces computational overhead and system complexity while still achieving reliable tracking consistency, as the periodic sampling is sufficient to detect significant changes without requiring constant monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
An endpoint machine has a unique endpoint identifier based on a configurable set of hardware attributes for an endpoint type. The endpoint agent running on that machine has an associated software identifier registered with the endpoint management solution upon install. The management server generates the unique endpoint identifier and provides it to the endpoint agent. Periodically, checks are run on the endpoint by the endpoint agent to determine if any of the hardware attributes have changed. If so, the endpoint identifier and the new hardware attribute values are sent to the management server, which uses the information to recognize the endpoint as the same endpoint or to detect a clone of known endpoint. If the endpoint type is unknown or does not exist, the unique software identifier may be used to facilitate the identification process, including the ability to detect a cloned machine.