Local Server Proxy Storage for Intermittent Client Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In areas with intermittent and unreliable internet access, such as many schools in emerging or developing countries, the lack of consistent connectivity hinders the distribution of digital educational resources, leading to inefficient use of bandwidth and increased IT administration overhead.
Innovation Solution
A local server system is deployed to manage storage across client devices, acting as a proxy server to optimize bandwidth and distribute relevant data based on user needs, while minimizing direct internet access and reducing IT administration through autonomous device configuration and update management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If direct internet access is provided to client devices, then data availability is improved, but bandwidth efficiency deteriorates and IT administration overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a local server as an intermediary between client devices and the internet. The server acts as a mediator that receives data requests from clients, manages bandwidth usage, and distributes content efficiently. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by maintaining data availability while improving bandwidth efficiency through centralized management and intelligent data distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements autonomous update management where the local server automatically detects when updates are available, downloads them, and distributes them to client devices without requiring manual IT intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains data availability while reducing IT administration overhead, as the system manages itself rather than requiring continuous human monitoring and intervention.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual IT administration is used for device configuration and updates, then control precision is improved, but administration overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The local server performs autonomous device configuration and update management without requiring manual IT intervention. The server automatically detects device needs, downloads appropriate updates, and pushes them to clients autonomously. This self-service approach maintains configuration control precision while eliminating the time-consuming manual administration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures update management policies and thresholds on the local server before deployment. The server proactively monitors network conditions and device states, preparing updates in advance and automatically initiating distributions when conditions are favorable. This preliminary action approach maintains precise control over configuration while reducing real-time administration overhead.
3Reliability
If frequent data updates are performed, then data freshness is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The local server pre-identifies and prepares data updates in advance, analyzing what content needs to be updated based on device requirements and network conditions. By planning updates beforehand and only transmitting when necessary, the system maintains data freshness while minimizing unnecessary bandwidth consumption from frequent or redundant transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where client devices communicate their data needs and update status to the local server. The server uses this feedback information to determine exactly what updates are required, avoiding unnecessary data transmissions. This feedback loop maintains data freshness by ensuring updates are pushed only when actually needed, thereby reducing wasted bandwidth consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
A local server for managing storage across client devices in an intermittent network may include a processor, and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The local server may also include an internet connection manager to manage data transfer from an internet to the local server, and a wireless local area network (LAN) access point to communicatively couple at least one local client device to the local server. The local server manages the local client device to use the local server as a proxy server. The local server may also include a local network manager. The local network manager may include an update manager to push data downloaded by the local server device to the local client device based on relevancy of the data to a user of the local client device.