Automated IoT Device Campaign Creation via Policy Templating
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management of network-connected devices in the Internet of Things (IoT) environments becomes increasingly challenging due to the scale of deployment, straining IT departments and automated solutions, as updating security patches and configuration settings across tens of thousands of devices is resource-intensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An automated system is introduced that utilizes an IoT management service to create and enforce compliance policies, enabling the automated creation of new rules for updating firmware or software versions by copying and modifying existing rules, ensuring that IoT devices are updated to the latest versions through an IoT gateway and management console, facilitating centralized management and enforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual administration methods are used for IoT devices, then IT departments can directly manage each device, but the resource strain increases significantly when managing tens of thousands of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces automated device management systems and intermediary platforms that act as mediators between IT departments and tens of thousands of IoT devices. These systems handle device provisioning, configuration, monitoring, and updates automatically, eliminating the need for manual IT intervention on each device while maintaining centralized control and reducing resource strain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables IoT devices to perform self-service operations including automatic enrollment in device campaigns, self-provisioning, automated configuration updates, and self-monitoring. Devices can autonomously receive and apply security patches and configuration changes without manual IT intervention, significantly reducing the resource burden on IT departments while maintaining ease of management.
2Loss of energy
If automated solutions are deployed to manage large-scale IoT devices, then resource strain on IT departments is reduced, but the complexity of the management system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal device campaign templates and standardized management protocols that can be applied across diverse IoT device types and enterprises. The automated management system uses multi-functional device campaigns that can handle provisioning, security updates, configuration management, and monitoring through unified workflows, reducing system complexity despite the large scale of devices being managed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter-driven device campaign configurations where management policies, update schedules, and device criteria are defined as adjustable parameters. This allows the automated system to adapt to different enterprise requirements and device types by changing parameters rather than redesigning the entire management architecture, thereby managing complexity through configurability.
3Reliability
If device campaigns are created manually for each firmware or software update, then precise control over update rules is achieved, but the time and resources required for creation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated copying and templating of device campaign configurations. When creating update rules for new firmware or software versions, the system automatically copies existing validated device campaign templates and modifies them with updated parameters (such as new version identifiers and target device criteria). This ensures consistency and accuracy of update rules while dramatically reducing the time required compared to manual creation from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pre-configured device campaign templates that contain predetermined update rules, criteria, and workflows for common scenarios. These templates are prepared in advance with best practices and validated logic, allowing rapid deployment of accurate update rules when new firmware or software updates are released, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual rule creation while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for automatically creating device campaigns. A computing device first determines that a second version of a software package assigned to an existing device campaign has been uploaded to a data store. The existing device campaign can include an existing compliance policy applicable to individual IoT endpoints assigned to the existing device campaign. The compliance policy may specify that a first version of the software package be installed on the individual IoT endpoints. In response, to the change, the computing device can create a new device campaign that includes a new compliance policy applicable to the individual IoT endpoints assigned to the new device campaign. The new compliance policy may specify that the second version of the software package be assigned to the individual IoT endpoints.