Multi-Port Communications Hub for Unified Data Center Device Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face challenges in managing and configuring IT devices due to the complexity of tracking, clustering, and enforcing compliance and security across diverse IT devices with different communication interfaces and network protocols, leading to increased overhead and difficulty in communication.
Innovation Solution
A data center infrastructure management device with multiple communication interfaces, including serial ports, LAN, WAN, and VPN, that configures, discovers, clusters, indexes, and takes actions on IT devices by employing engines like configuration/management, discovery, clustering, and action engines to manage and interact with various IT devices through a unified interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple IT device concentrator hardware units and management tools are used to manage diverse IT devices, then the ability to communicate with various IT devices is improved, but the device complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single IT device concentrator hardware unit that can communicate with multiple types of IT devices through multiple communication interfaces (serial ports, LAN, WAN, VPN) and support multiple communication protocols. This universal device replaces the need for multiple specialized concentrator units, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing device complexity and overhead.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple IT device concentrator hardware units are deployed to manage IT devices, then the coverage of device management is improved, but the overhead in tracking and configuring devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple IT device concentrator hardware units into a single unified device. This consolidation maintains comprehensive device management coverage while reducing the overhead associated with tracking and configuring multiple separate units, as all management operations can be performed through a single interface and centralized control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If diverse communication interfaces and network protocols are supported for different IT devices, then the versatility of communication is improved, but the difficulty of communicating with IT devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The IT device concentrator acts as an intermediary between the management system and diverse IT devices. It provides multiple communication interfaces and protocol support, translating and mediating communications between different device types and the central management system. This intermediary role maintains versatility in communicating with various devices while simplifying the operation for users through a unified management interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device which includes at least four first plate communication interfaces disposed along one length of one side of the device housing is disclosed. The device also includes at least four second plate communication interfaces that are disposed along the length of the second side of the device housing. The at least four second plate communication interfaces includes at least four universal serial bus (USB) ports. At least one circuit board is disposed in the device housing and electrically connected to the first and second plate communication interfaces.