Network Setting Auto-Configuration via Management Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing systems require user intervention to configure network settings when connecting to a new network, which is inefficient and can lead to connectivity issues if settings are not properly configured.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that automatically detects network changes by transmitting network identification information to a management server via a wireless communication line, receives address information for a master apparatus, and acquires and registers setting information from that apparatus, enabling seamless network adaptation without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic network setting configuration is implemented, then user operation is reduced and setup time is shortened, but system complexity increases due to need for management apparatus and communication protocols
Solution Approach 1:
A management apparatus is introduced as an intermediary between the terminal device and network settings. The management apparatus stores correspondence between network identification information and address information, and provides this information to terminal devices automatically, thereby reducing user operation while managing the system complexity centrally.
Solution Approach 2:
The management apparatus preliminarily stores the correspondence between network identification information and address information before the terminal device needs to connect to a network. This pre-prepared information allows the terminal device to automatically acquire appropriate settings without user intervention, reducing operational complexity at the point of use.
2Loss of time
If network settings are manually configured by users, then system complexity is reduced, but setup time increases and connectivity issues may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device is equipped with functionality to automatically acquire network settings without user intervention. The device transmits network identification information, receives address information from the management apparatus, and automatically registers the settings, enabling self-service configuration that reduces setup time while accepting increased device complexity.
3Reliability
If automatic setting acquisition is implemented, then connectivity reliability is improved, but communication overhead increases due to additional data exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The correspondence between network identification information and address information is extracted from the terminal device and stored in a separate management apparatus. When a terminal device needs network settings, it only transmits the network identification information and receives the corresponding address information, rather than managing all setting data locally, thereby reducing communication overhead while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a transmitter, a receiver, an acquiring unit, and a registering unit. The transmitter transmits network identification information of a newly-connected network to a management apparatus via a wireless communication line when a network to which the information processing apparatus is connected is changed. The receiver receives address information registered in correspondence with the transmitted network identification information from the management apparatus via the wireless communication line. The acquiring unit acquires setting information from an apparatus accessed by using the address information received by the receiver. The registering unit registers the setting information acquired by the acquiring unit as setting information of the information processing apparatus.