Local Device Management Control for Star of Stars Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device management systems relying on star architecture are vulnerable to network outages, leading to uncertainties about device updates and potential operational failures, requiring costly site visits for troubleshooting.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a 'star of stars' configuration where local device management control devices at each location manage devices independently, receiving data and instructions from a centralized control unit, allowing for reliable local processing and maintenance without relying on cloud connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a star architecture is used where devices are connected to a remote central control unit via telecommunication connections, then the system can be easily installed and managed centrally, but the system becomes vulnerable to network outages and connectivity issues that prevent reliable device management and updates
Solution Approach 1:
A local control unit is introduced as an intermediary between the remote central control unit and the devices. The local control unit stores device data locally and can execute update operations independently when connected to devices, while still receiving update instructions from the remote CCU. This intermediary architecture maintains ease of centralized management while ensuring reliable local execution of management operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized control function is segmented into two parts: the remote central control unit that provides centralized management and the local control unit that provides reliable local execution. This segmentation allows the system to maintain centralized configuration while distributing execution reliability to the local level, resolving the contradiction between ease of centralized operation and reliability of device management.
2Extent of automation
If all device management operations go via the cloud or remote server, then centralized control is maintained, but transactional operations involving large amounts of data are vulnerable to network outages and connection reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The local control unit performs preliminary actions by storing device data locally before remote updates are executed. When the remote CCU sends update instructions, the local control unit already has the necessary device information cached, allowing it to execute updates reliably without requiring continuous network connectivity during the actual update operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The local control unit acts as an intermediary that buffers data transmission between the remote CCU and devices. It receives update instructions from the remote CCU, processes them locally with cached device data, and executes updates without requiring real-time network connectivity during the transactional operation, thus maintaining automated control while improving reliability.
3Extent of automation
If connectivity is lost for a longer period, then the remote CCU cannot access device status or execute updates, but service personal must visit the site which is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The local control unit provides self-service capabilities by autonomously managing device updates and monitoring using locally cached device data. When connectivity is lost, the local control unit continues to execute management operations independently without requiring remote CCU intervention or service personal site visits, thus maintaining automated management while eliminating time losses associated with manual intervention.
4Extent of automation
If update procedures are executed remotely, then centralized update management is achieved, but network outages during updating processes create uncertainty about update completion and device status
Solution Approach 1:
The local control unit implements feedback by continuously monitoring update progress and device status locally, then reporting this information to the remote CCU when connected. This local feedback mechanism ensures that update completion status and device status are accurately tracked and communicated, eliminating information loss during network outages while maintaining automated update management.
Solution Approach 2:
The local control unit performs preliminary data caching of device information before remote updates. This preliminary action ensures that during update operations, the local control unit has accurate device status information available locally to track and report update progress, preventing information loss about update completion and device status even when network connectivity is interrupted.
Data Source
AI summary
A method including receiving, from a device management element or function of at least one transport and/or access device or function installed at a predefined location for which a local control is to be conducted, and storing device or function related data, forwarding the stored device or function related data to a centralized control element or function, receiving, from the centralized control element or function, and processing instruction data for the at least one transport and/or access device or function, and conducting a local device or function management control procedure for the at least one transport and/or access device or function according to a result of the processing of the instruction data.