Network Outage Redundancy Module for Financial Hardware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Financial hardware in the industry faces significant downtime and security vulnerabilities due to inadequate network connectivity and lack of redundancy, leading to potential loss of customer satisfaction and revenue when network connections are disrupted.
Innovation Solution
A small footprint module is installed between the hardware and the network, providing hardware drivers, communication controllers, security components, local data storage, and logical control to enhance security, reliability, and connectivity, allowing the hardware to operate independently during network outages and maintain data integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If financial hardware is driven over the network via IP protocol, then connectivity and accessibility to enterprise servers are improved, but the hardware becomes vulnerable to network outages and loses usability when network infrastructure fails
Solution Approach 1:
A gateway device is introduced as an intermediary between the financial hardware and the network. The gateway maintains a local copy of application logic and data, allowing the hardware to operate independently when network connectivity is lost. The gateway acts as a mediator that can route communications through the network when available or handle operations locally when the network is unavailable, thus resolving the contradiction between network-dependent connectivity and independence during outages.
2Extent of automation
If network connectivity is made mandatory for hardware operation, then centralized control and data synchronization are improved, but the system becomes single-point dependent and loses functionality during network failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two independent but interconnected components: the financial hardware and the gateway device. The gateway contains a local copy of the application and necessary data, creating a segmented architecture where the hardware can function autonomously. This segmentation allows centralized control when the network is available while enabling operational independence when the network fails, resolving the contradiction between centralized automation and adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the communication infrastructure is simplified to rely on standard network protocols, then ease of integration and deployment are improved, but the weakest point becomes the network infrastructure itself which can render hardware unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device is pre-configured with a local copy of the application logic, data, and communication protocols before network connectivity is needed. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when network failures occur, the hardware can continue operating using the pre-loaded resources at the gateway. The gateway acts as a buffer that cushions the system against network infrastructure failures, resolving the contradiction between simplified integration and system availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A network outage and redundancy module which provides improved security, platform independence and continuity in information between financial hardware and enterprise applications.