Relay Device Dynamic Forwarding Table Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current relay devices require cumbersome administrative processes for managing new devices in internal networks, including registration and setting up forwarding tables, which complicates device management and data transfer operations.

Innovation Solution

A relay device with a dynamic forwarding table that associates external and local port numbers and IP addresses, allowing for automatic updates based on device responses, application installations, and uninstallations, enabling efficient data transfer and device management by adding, deleting, or prohibiting port number associations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual registration and forwarding table setup is performed for new devices, then device management control is maintained, but administrative complexity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice management controlVSAvoidadministrative complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The relay device automatically performs forwarding table updates by detecting device connections and responses without requiring administrator intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously managing forwarding table entries based on device communication patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The relay device monitors device responses and uses this feedback information to dynamically update the forwarding table. The system continuously adjusts forwarding rules based on observed communication patterns between devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If manual forwarding table configuration is performed, then precise data transfer routing is achieved, but time consumption and administrative burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer routing precisionVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The relay device proactively detects device connections and pre-establishes forwarding table entries before data transfer is needed. By performing preliminary detection and configuration, the system eliminates setup time while maintaining routing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects devices and configures forwarding rules without administrator intervention, achieving both precise routing and time efficiency through autonomous operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If the forwarding table is manually updated, then accurate device information is maintained, but administrative workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice information accuracyVSAvoidadministrative automation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The relay device autonomously maintains forwarding table accuracy by detecting device connections and updating entries without administrator involvement. The system self-corrects and self-updates based on observed network traffic patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors device responses and uses this feedback to maintain accurate forwarding table information. Automatic detection of device presence and communication patterns ensures information accuracy while eliminating manual updates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3316558B1Relay device, program for relay device, and information processing system
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 KONICA MINOLTA INC
  • EP3316558B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3316558B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3316558B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

To simplify setting operation in a relay device. State A illustrates a case where a source in an external network having transmitted the data to a router (4) is not associated with a transfer destination in a network system (1) in a forwarding table (40). In this case, the router (4) transfers the data received to all the devices (a PC server (2), a MFP (3), and a storage device (5)) in the network system (1) (arrows (A01) to (A03)). State B illustrates that the MFP (3) responds in accordance with the transfer of state A. State C illustrates that the router (4) changes the forwarding table (40) in accordance with the response of state B. In state C, the router (4) changes the forwarding table (40) such that information associating the source of the data of state A with the source of the response of state B is added.