Relay Manager Unifies SNMP and USB Device Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device management systems struggle to manage network printers connected directly to a network without a managed PC, as they use different communication protocols and commands compared to locally connected printers, making it impossible to acquire information or configure settings using network management protocols from a device manager connected to the network.
Innovation Solution
A device management system comprising a device manager and a relay manager, where the device manager communicates with network devices using SNMP and the relay manager communicates with locally connected devices using USB commands, allowing unified management through a network protocol for both network and locally connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different communication protocols are used for network devices and locally connected devices, then each device type can be managed with its native protocol, but unified device management from a network device manager becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay manager as an intermediary component that receives SNMP requests from the device manager and forwards them to locally connected devices via USB commands. This mediator enables unified management of both network and local devices through a single protocol while maintaining protocol-specific communication paths, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and system complexity.
2Reliability
If locally connected devices are managed through USB commands only, then communication with local devices is reliable, but device management functionality is limited and cannot be accessed by network device managers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a network management dimension by enabling SNMP protocol support for locally connected devices through the relay manager. This allows devices to be managed both through traditional USB commands (maintaining reliability) and through network protocols (improving accessibility), effectively adding another operational dimension without compromising existing functionality.
3Ease of operation
If network printers are connected directly to the network without a managed PC, then network accessibility is improved, but they cannot be managed using the same protocol as locally connected printers
Solution Approach 1:
The relay manager is designed to handle multiple device types and communication protocols universally. It can manage both network-connected devices (via SNMP) and locally connected devices (via USB commands) through a single interface, enabling the system to adapt to different connection topologies while maintaining protocol compatibility across all managed devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is technology simplifying managing locally connected devices. A device management system configured to connect through a network a device manager and a relay manager that connects to multiple devices through a local communication path. The device manager sends to the relay manager through the network a first process request, the first process request conforming to SNMP, and containing device identification information identifying a device that connects to the relay manager. The relay manager acquires from the first process request target identification information identifying management information to process in the management information of a device, generate a second process request containing the target identification information, and send the second process request through the local communication path indicated by the device identification information contained in the first process request.