Network Infrastructure Scanning via Universal Programs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for managing computer infrastructure inventory data are inefficient, often requiring manual tracking, which is time-consuming and prone to errors, and existing inventory management applications may not be customizable and can impact computational capacity, especially when dealing with heterogeneous operating systems.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for scanning computer infrastructure that deploys a common scan program on multiple host devices with customized tool sets for different operating systems, allowing for centralized collection and storage of inventory data, enabling efficient data gathering and standardization across diverse platforms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual tracking and recording of inventory information is used, then no additional software installation is required, but the process is significantly time consuming and subject to human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory data collection efficiencyVSAvoidtime required for manual tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables computing devices to automatically collect and report their own inventory data through deployed scan programs, eliminating the need for manual data entry by asset managers and reducing human error while significantly improving data collection efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of tracking and recording inventory information with an automated electronic scanning system that uses computer programs to gather and transmit inventory data, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If inventory management applications with pre-compiled agents are installed on each computing device, then automated inventory collection is achieved, but the agents are not customizable and impact computational capacity of hosts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated inventory data collectionVSAvoidcomputational overhead on host devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses lightweight scan programs that can be deployed and executed temporarily on host devices to collect inventory data, rather than installing permanent heavy-weight management agents, thereby reducing computational overhead while maintaining automation capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential inventory collection functionality from complex pre-compiled management agents, creating standalone scan programs that perform only the necessary data gathering tasks without the additional computational burden of full management software

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If pre-compiled inventory management agents are used, then automated scanning is enabled, but they are not available for all operating systems present in an infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated scanning capabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with different operating systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a universal scan program that can operate across multiple operating systems by using platform-specific tool sets as intermediaries, allowing a single core program to serve diverse computing environments including Windows, Linux, and Unix systems without requiring separate agents for each platform

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces operating system-specific tool sets as intermediary layers between the universal scan program and the underlying OS, enabling the same scan program to execute on different platforms by translating system-specific commands and functions through these intermediary tool sets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If a single scan program is deployed across heterogeneous operating systems, then standardization is achieved, but execution compatibility across different platforms must be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata format standardizationVSAvoidplatform compatibility management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the inventory management solution into two independent parts: a universal scan program that handles data collection and standardization, and platform-specific tool sets that handle OS-specific execution requirements, allowing each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10230578B2Systems and methods for scanning infrastructure within a computer network

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 MASTERCARD INT INC

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for scanning computer infrastructure within a computer network includes a first host device and a second host device having distinct operating systems. The host devices are coupled to a controller server. The method includes deploying a first scan program to the host devices. The method includes installing a first tool set on the first host device, installing a second tool set on the second host device, executing the first scan program on the first host device for gathering and storing a first set of inventory data on the first host device, executing the first scan program on the second host device for gathering and storing a second set of inventory data on the second host device, collecting the first set of inventory data from the first host device and the second set of inventory data from the second host device.