Mediator for Identity Management in Limited Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Identity management systems face challenges in managing user accounts and resources across multiple endpoints in environments with limited or no direct connectivity to the identity management service provider, hindering real-time data exchange and account modifications.
Innovation Solution
A mediator system is introduced, comprising adapters that interface with managed endpoints, buffer data when no connection is available, and export it to the identity management service provider when connectivity is established, ensuring data integrity and functionality through read-only operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mediator is introduced to enable identity management in limited connectivity environments, then adaptability to limited connectivity environments is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A mediator component is introduced between the identity management service provider and managed endpoints to enable operation in limited connectivity environments. The mediator buffers data when connectivity is unavailable and exports it when connectivity is restored, allowing the system to adapt to intermittent network conditions without requiring complex changes to endpoints or service providers.
2Reliability
If data buffering is implemented when connection is unavailable, then reliability of data exchange is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mediator performs preliminary actions by collecting and buffering data locally when connectivity is unavailable, so that data is ready for immediate export when connectivity is restored. This preliminary data collection ensures reliable data exchange without permanent data loss, while minimizing the time penalty by having data prepared in advance rather than requiring recollection after connection is restored.
3Productivity
If the mediator buffers and exports data, then productivity of identity management operations is improved, but measurement precision of real-time data exchange deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mediator implements periodic data export operations, transferring buffered data to the identity management service provider at regular intervals or when connectivity is available. This periodic action improves productivity by enabling continuous data collection from endpoints even during connectivity outages, while accepting that real-time measurement precision is reduced in favor of batched, periodic synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for identity service management in a computing environment having a plurality of managed endpoints includes a mediator located within the computing environment and remote from an identity management service provider located external to the computing environment to enable management of the plurality of managed endpoints by the identity management service provider. The mediator includes a service manager configured to authenticate the mediator to the managed endpoints and configure the managed endpoints for pulling data from the managed endpoints. The mediator also includes a data exporter configured to export the data by the mediator to the identity management service provider in response to detecting a direct connection between the mediator and the identity management service provider.