Provisioning Client Server Location Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software provisioning systems lack automated tools for integrating and automating the process of locating provisioning servers, making it cumbersome for provisioning clients to connect with the appropriate servers, especially across wide geographic areas and in dynamic network environments.
Innovation Solution
A provisioning client with a locater module that can automatically detect and connect to provisioning servers by broadcasting network information, maintaining a record of available servers, and selecting the best server based on priority, allowing for universal use without user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user manually enters the identity and location of the provisioning server, then the provisioning client can connect to the server, but the process becomes cumbersome especially across wide geographic locations and dynamic network environments
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning client automatically performs server location and configuration tasks without requiring user intervention. The system self-configures by detecting available provisioning servers on the network and automatically establishing connections, eliminating the manual entry process and reducing configuration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the provisioning client with automatic server detection capabilities before actual provisioning is needed. The client is pre-programmed with network discovery protocols and server identification algorithms, so when deployed, it can immediately locate and connect to appropriate servers without user input.
2Adaptability or versatility
If provisioning clients are spread across wide geographic locations and need to access different provisioning servers, then the system gains flexibility, but the clients cannot easily be associated with a predefined provisioning server
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static, predefined server associations to dynamic, runtime server selection. The provisioning client continuously discovers available servers on the network and can adaptively associate with different servers based on current network conditions, geographic location, and server availability, rather than being locked into a single pre-configured server.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism (automatic server detection and selection system) that mediates between the provisioning client and multiple potential servers. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of server association by implementing discovery protocols and selection algorithms, shielding users from the underlying complexity while enabling flexible server access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If provisioning servers may change over time due to network or service changes, then the system remains flexible, but the provisioning clients cannot be preprogrammed with the identify and location of a specific provisioning server
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the provisioning client continuously monitors the network environment for available servers and dynamically updates its server associations. The client receives feedback about server availability, network conditions, and service changes, and automatically adjusts its configuration to maintain optimal connections without requiring re-programming or user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The provisioning client is pre-configured with automatic discovery and adaptation capabilities that enable it to handle server changes proactively. Rather than requiring re-programming when servers change, the client has pre-installed protocols that automatically detect new servers, verify their suitability, and establish connections, maintaining adaptability without sacrificing automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A provisioning client can be configured to automatically locate a provisioning server in a provisioning environment in order to perform software provisioning. The provisioning client can locate the provisioning server by detecting the location of the provisioning server or by selecting the appropriate provisioning server from a record of available provisioning servers. Once located, the provisioning client can be configured to establish a connection with the provisioning server and to request or receive software provisioning.