Mobile Network Management via SMS Command Execution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network infrastructure management systems require support personnel to access a workstation or server to take corrective actions, lacking the ability to execute instructions provided via a mobile device to resolve issues in the IT infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilizes a mobile device to identify issues, send alert messages, receive instructions, and execute commands on the network infrastructure using a message-based network management system, incorporating multiple security checks and SMS communication for remote management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If support personnel access a workstation or server to take corrective actions, then they can execute commands on the IT infrastructure, but response time increases and operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveincident resolution efficiencyVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical workstation/server access with a wireless messaging system. Support personnel send text messages from mobile devices to the network management system, which automatically parses commands and executes them on the IT infrastructure, eliminating the need for physical presence at workstations or servers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The network management system acts as an intermediary between support personnel and the IT infrastructure. It receives text messages from mobile devices, interprets the commands, and executes the appropriate actions on the affected systems, serving as a mediator that enables remote management without direct access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If support personnel use mobile devices to send instructions, then response time decreases and operational efficiency increases, but system complexity and security requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote management capabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network management system performs multiple functions: it receives text messages from mobile devices, parses command syntax, validates security credentials, determines the appropriate target systems, and executes commands. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single platform rather than requiring separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically parses text messages to extract commands, validates them against security policies, and executes them without requiring manual intervention or complex configuration by support personnel. The system serves itself by interpreting and acting on the text messages autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If existing alerting systems notify support personnel via mobile device, then awareness of issues is improved, but the ability to execute corrective actions remotely is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveissue notification reliabilityVSAvoidcorrective action capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the alerting function with the command execution function into a single integrated system. The same network management system that notifies support personnel via text message also receives and executes corrective commands from those messages, combining monitoring and remediation capabilities in one platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9489250B2System and method for managing a network infrastructure using a mobile device

Publication Date: 2016.11.08 INFOSYS LTD

AI summary

A system and method for managing an IT infrastructure using a mobile device, the method comprises identifying, using one or more processors of a network management system, an issue in one or more components in the infrastructure; retrieving a message instruction for the identified issue from an action database, wherein the message instruction includes information identifying a support personnel and a mobile device of the support personnel to contact regarding the identified issue; sending an alert message to the mobile device of the identified support personnel, wherein the alert message contains information of the identified issue; receiving, at the network management system, a reply message from the mobile device, wherein the reply message contains an instruction to resolve the identified issue; generating an executable command corresponding to the instruction in the reply message; and executing the executable command on the affected components in the infrastructure to resolve the identified issue.