Indirect Asset Inventory via Network Device Intermediaries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Enterprise management systems for wireless networks cannot effectively monitor and manage devices that are not connected to the network, such as standalone printers or battery chargers, as they lack connectivity and cannot host management agents, rendering them invisible to the system.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where network devices interact with and collect information from these invisible devices during interactions, storing and forwarding this information to the enterprise management system using existing protocols and agents, allowing for indirect monitoring and inventory management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the enterprise management system only monitors devices connected to the network, then the system complexity remains low and management is straightforward, but the coverage of monitored devices is incomplete and excludes important non-network devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces network devices as intermediaries that collect information from non-network devices and forward it to the enterprise management system. These network devices act as mediators that bridge the gap between isolated non-network devices and the centralized management system, enabling indirect monitoring without requiring direct connectivity or complex changes to the management architecture.
2Loss of information
If non-network devices are excluded from monitoring, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the loss of information about important assets occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having network devices collect and cache information from non-network devices before the enterprise management system needs this information. This advance collection eliminates the need for real-time direct communication between the management system and non-network devices, preventing information loss while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If direct connectivity is required for device management, then the reliability of information collection is high, but the adaptability to different device types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes network devices universal by enabling them to perform multiple functions: they continue their primary network functions while also serving as information collection points for non-network devices. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to various device types without requiring each device to have direct network connectivity or specialized management capabilities, maintaining both versatility and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for receiving, on a first device connected to a network, a communication including information corresponding to a second device which is not connected to the network. The information is stored on the first device and transmitted to an enterprise management system for the network, wherein the information includes an indication that the information corresponds to the second device.