Test Server Data Relay for Image Forming Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote management systems for image forming apparatuses face challenges in creating a reliable test environment for software updates, as they require manual data transfer and may not accurately reflect the real environment, leading to insufficient testing and potential inconsistencies.
Innovation Solution
A test environment construction system that includes a management server, a relay apparatus, and a test server, which allows for remote data collection and command relay between image forming apparatuses and the test server, enabling automated data accumulation and command processing, thereby eliminating the need for manual data transfer and ensuring consistency with the real environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If actual data is copied from the management server database to construct a test server, then the test environment can be prepared, but manual data transfer is required which increases time consumption and labor
Solution Approach 1:
The test server automatically collects data from image forming apparatuses independently, without requiring manual data transfer from the management server. The data collection unit on the test server directly receives data from the apparatuses, making the system self-sufficient for test data preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the test server from the management server, allowing independent data collection paths. The test server has its own data collection capability segmented from the management server's database, enabling parallel operation and eliminating dependency on manual data copying.
2Reliability
If the test server uses the same data as the management server, then testing reflects the real environment accurately, but the management server bears additional communication load
Solution Approach 1:
A relay apparatus is introduced as an intermediary between the management server and test server. The relay receives data from the management server and forwards it to the test server, distributing the communication load and preventing the management server from being overwhelmed by test environment data requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a new dimension to data flow by creating a separate data collection path from image forming apparatuses directly to the test server. This parallel data path eliminates the need for the management server to handle test data traffic, reducing its communication load while maintaining data authenticity.
3Quantity of substance
If manual data transfer is used to prepare test data, then data can be obtained, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The test server automatically collects data from image forming apparatuses through its own data collection unit, eliminating the need for manual data transfer operations. The system self-provides test data continuously, improving productivity while ensuring data availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The data collection process operates continuously and automatically, with the test server constantly receiving data from image forming apparatuses. This continuous automated data flow replaces intermittent manual data transfer, significantly improving efficiency and maintaining up-to-date test data.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a management server that is used in constructing a high-quality test environment. The management server is an operating server that is connected via a network to an image forming apparatus registered as a management target, and that remotely manages the image forming apparatus. The management server includes a data-collection unit, a connection-receiving unit, and a data-relay unit. The data-collection unit receives collection-target data from the image forming apparatus and accumulates that data in a database. The connection-receiving unit receives a connection with a test sever having the same functions as self server. The data-relay unit also transmits the collection-target data received by the data-collection unit to the test server, the connection of which is received by the connection-receiving unit. Therefore, the collection-target data is accumulated in the test server in the same way as in the management server, and can be used as test data.