Serial-over-IP Switch Pattern Matching for Automated Device Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing serial switch systems lack the ability to automate actions based on predetermined alphanumeric character strings detected in serial data during active serial sessions, making manual intervention by IT administrators necessary for tasks like configuration, troubleshooting, and deployment.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a serial-over-IP switch with a pattern matching application to detect user-defined alphanumeric character strings in serial data transmitted to or received from a target device, allowing for predefined actions to be taken upon detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual connection and monitoring is used for each serial device, then IT administrators can access and manage target devices, but the process becomes highly inconvenient and time consuming when dealing with hundreds or thousands of devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice management efficiencyVSAvoidtime for manual intervention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-service by having the serial appliance autonomously monitor serial data streams for predetermined character strings and automatically execute predefined actions without requiring manual IT administrator intervention for each device event

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the serial appliance with predetermined character strings and associated actions, so that when specific serial data patterns are detected, the appropriate actions are automatically executed in advance without waiting for manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If automated pattern detection is implemented in serial data, then actions can be automated and manual intervention reduced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of device management actionsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The serial appliance is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a traditional serial access device and as an automated monitoring system with pattern detection capabilities, allowing one device to perform multiple functions without requiring separate specialized systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12277152B2System and method for serial-over-IP switch based character string pattern matching and detection

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 VERTIV CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a system for detecting a user defined character string in serial data at least one of output from a target device or transmitted to a target device. The system makes use of a serial communications device configured to enable a user to conduct a serial-over-IP active serial session with the target device. The serial communications device has a pattern matching application configured to at least one of receive, or be programmed with, a user defined character string, and to monitor for an occurrence of the user defined character string in serial data at least one of received from the target device or transmitted to the target device. The pattern matching application also is configured to take a predetermined action upon the detection of the user defined character string.