Peer-Assisted Resource Deployment in Network Subnets
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Solution Overview
Problem
In corporate networks with multiple sites or subnets, deploying software and resources to thin client devices is challenging due to limited connectivity, bandwidth constraints, and the lack of IT expertise at remote sites, especially for embedded computers with limited processing capability and storage.
Innovation Solution
A peer-assisted deployment process where selected thin clients act as 'master' devices to distribute resources within their subnet or site, reducing the burden on central servers and enabling efficient, decentralized software updates across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional centralized deployment is used, then control and management are simplified, but deployment time and bandwidth consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment system is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels: central servers, regional servers, and peer devices. This segmentation allows deployment tasks to be divided and executed simultaneously across different locations, reducing overall deployment time while maintaining centralized control through the hierarchical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Regional servers act as intermediaries between central servers and peer devices. These intermediaries receive deployment packages from central servers and distribute them to multiple peer devices simultaneously, significantly reducing the time required to update all devices compared to direct centralized deployment.
2Productivity
If direct centralized deployment to all devices is used, then management control is maintained, but network bandwidth is consumed excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment architecture segments the network into multiple tiers with regional servers handling local distribution. This segmentation reduces the bandwidth burden on the central server by having regional servers handle local deployments, thereby reducing overall network bandwidth consumption while maintaining deployment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Regional servers serve as intermediaries that receive deployment packages from central servers and redistribute them to peer devices. This intermediary approach significantly reduces bandwidth consumption by avoiding direct point-to-point transmissions from the central server to all devices, while still maintaining centralized control.
3Ease of operation
If remote sites have dedicated IT personnel for deployment, then local support is available, but operational complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables peer devices to perform self-deployment by automatically receiving and installing updates from regional servers without requiring local IT intervention. This self-service capability simplifies operations at remote sites while reducing the need for dedicated IT personnel, thereby reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where peer devices automatically report their deployment status to regional servers. This feedback allows the system to track deployment progress and handle failures automatically, simplifying operations at remote sites while maintaining centralized oversight, thereby reducing the need for complex local IT management.
Data Source
AI summary
In particular embodiments, a server computing device receives one or more inputs specifying a software module and one or more portions of a network. Each of the portions of the network includes multiple client devices. For each of the client devices in a portion of the network, the server computing device determines whether the client device meets one or more criteria. For at least one portion of the network having a client device meeting the one or more criteria, the server computing device selects the client device as a master device and provides the software module to the master device. The master device is operable to download the software module from one or more server computing devices, provide the software module to the other client devices in the portion of the network, and provide status information to the server computing device.