Network Card Search and Relay Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network administrators face difficulties in managing and monitoring apparatuses due to the inconvenience of recording and coordinating IP addresses, especially when apparatuses are changed or replaced, and the lack of a straightforward method to connect to their webpage interfaces without installing additional software, which can compromise network security.

Innovation Solution

A network card with searching ability that broadcasts connection information to build a connection list, allowing users to connect to a management page without knowing IP addresses, and enables redirection or relay services to establish connections with target network cards or devices, eliminating the need for external software and manual IP address input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If network administrators manually record and coordinate IP addresses to connect to apparatuses, then they can access the webpage interfaces, but the management becomes inconvenient when apparatuses are changed or replaced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of connecting to apparatusesVSAvoidcomplexity of IP address management
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through automatic device discovery and connection. When a new apparatus is added to the network, it automatically registers itself with the monitoring device and receives an allocated IP address without requiring manual intervention from administrators. The apparatus can be directly accessed through its device name or identifier, eliminating the need for administrators to manually track and update IP address records.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If additional searching programs are installed to search for IP addresses, then the searching process becomes convenient, but network security is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of searching IP addressesVSAvoidnetwork security risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring device serves as a secure intermediary between administrators and network apparatuses. Instead of requiring administrators to install external searching programs that could compromise security, the monitoring device provides built-in discovery and management capabilities. Administrators access the monitoring device through its webpage interface to search for and manage apparatuses, keeping the search functionality within the trusted monitoring system rather than introducing external software.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the apparatus in the system is changed or the host is replaced, then the system can be updated, but the correspondence between apparatuses and IP addresses becomes invalid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to update apparatusesVSAvoidvalidity of apparatus-IP correspondence
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic IP address allocation and automatic update mechanisms. When an apparatus is replaced or changed, the monitoring device automatically detects the change, deallocates the old IP address, and allocates a new IP address to the replacement apparatus. The connection information is dynamically updated in real-time, ensuring that the correspondence between apparatuses and IP addresses remains valid without requiring manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Quantity of substance

If network administrators need to connect to multiple apparatuses, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but the time and effort required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of apparatuses monitoredVSAvoidtime to connect to apparatuses
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring device provides universal access to all apparatuses on the network through a single interface. Administrators can search for, discover, and connect to multiple apparatuses through the monitoring device's webpage interface without needing to manually configure connections to each apparatus individually. The system provides centralized management capabilities that reduce the time and effort required to monitor multiple apparatuses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9584370B2Network card with searching ability, monitoring device with the network card, and searching method used for the same
Publication Date: 2017.02.28 DELTA ELECTRONICS INC(CN)
  • US9584370B2 patent drawing
  • US9584370B2 patent drawing
  • US9584370B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A network card with searching ability inquires connection information from all network cards at a network by using a broadcasting manner when it is connected to the same network, and build a connection list according to the received connection information. A user terminal can connect to a management page by one of the network cards on the network by a browser thereon, and check the connection list at the management page upon login successfully. User can obtain connection information of all network cards at the network through the connection list. Therefore, the user terminal can connect to a target network card according to the obtained connection information through a redirection manner. Else, it can also connect to the target network card via the logged network card through a relay manner.