Serial Cable Interfacing Component for Automated Device Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring devices with serial interfaces, such as network switches and storage controllers, can be cumbersome and time-consuming for administrators due to the need for manual connection and software application usage.
Innovation Solution
A device interfacing component, integrated into a serial cable, automatically identifies data streams and executes pre-defined scripted responses to configure devices, allowing for automated feature enablement and disablement through a daisy chain configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual connection and software application usage is used for device configuration, then device configuration can be performed, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming for administrators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring scripted responses that automatically execute in response to specific data stream patterns from target devices. Instead of requiring administrators to manually input each configuration command, the system has pre-prepared response sequences that are automatically triggered and executed, eliminating the need for real-time manual intervention during the configuration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The device interfacing component implements self-service by automatically receiving data streams from target devices, identifying required configuration commands, and executing appropriate scripted responses without administrator intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously completing the configuration process, freeing administrators from manual configuration tasks and significantly reducing configuration time.
2Productivity
If individual device connection is used for configuration, then each device can be configured, but the process becomes cumbersome when multiple devices need to be configured
Solution Approach 1:
The device interfacing component implements universality by designing a single component that can interface with multiple different target devices through a standardized connection interface. The component can be daisy-chained to connect to multiple devices in sequence, allowing one universal interface to perform the function of multiple individual connections, thereby increasing productivity when configuring multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple device configuration operations into a single streamlined process. Instead of requiring separate connection and configuration steps for each device, the system merges these operations by allowing daisy-chained devices to be configured through a single interfacing component, reducing the operational complexity of multi-device configuration.
3Loss of time
If automated scripting is implemented for device configuration, then configuration time is reduced, but device complexity increases due to the matching component and scripted responses
Solution Approach 1:
The device interfacing component serves as an intermediary between the administrator and the target device. It mediates the configuration process by receiving data streams from the device, matching them against predefined patterns, and automatically executing appropriate scripted responses. This intermediary approach reduces configuration time by automating the interaction while containing the complexity within the interfacing component itself, protecting the administrator from dealing with the complexity directly.
Data Source
AI summary
Many devices may comprise interfaces, such as serial interfaces, over which configuration and/or enablement/disablement of device features may be provided to the device. Connecting a computer to individual devices for manual configuration may be cumbersome and/or time consuming. Accordingly, as provided herein, a device interfacing component (e.g., a microcontroller integrated into an interface cable) is configured to couple to a target device. The device interfacing component may receive data streams from the target device, and may match strings, within the data streams, to expressions. If a string matches an expression (e.g., “F5 for IP setup”), then a corresponding scripted response may be executed to send a response instruction (F5, wait 10 seconds, enter key, “192,168.0.1”) to the target device. In this way, the device interfacing component may provide automated configuration for the target device and/or may be daisy chained with other device interfacing components for configuration of other target devices.