Unified CLI Translation for Multi-Device Command Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing multiple devices in a network requires different command line interfaces (CLIs), which is cumbersome and inefficient, often leading to errors due to the need to remember device-specific CLI commands and syntax.

Innovation Solution

A device type-agnostic command line interface (CLI) that converts user input commands into device-specific instructions and formats device responses for uniform presentation, allowing a single CLI to manage diverse devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If device-specific CLIs are used to manage different devices, then each device can be managed with its native command format, but the user must remember multiple different CLI syntaxes and commands for each device type

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidCLI usage complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal CLI interface that can manage multiple device types through a single standardized command syntax. The system translates user-friendly universal commands into device-specific instructions, allowing one CLI to perform the function of multiple device-specific CLIs while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a translation layer or intermediary system that sits between the universal CLI interface and the device-specific command interfaces. This intermediary automatically converts standardized user commands into the appropriate device-specific syntax, eliminating the need for users to learn multiple CLI formats while ensuring proper device communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple device-specific CLIs are maintained, then each device receives properly formatted native commands, but the system complexity increases and time is lost switching between different CLI syntaxes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand accuracyVSAvoidCLI management time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary translation where the system pre-processes and translates universal commands into device-specific formats before execution. By preparing the command translation in advance through a standardized interface, the system ensures accurate device-specific formatting without requiring users to spend time learning or switching between different CLI syntaxes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a unified CLI interface is implemented, then users can manage all devices with a single command syntax, but the system must perform additional translation and conversion operations

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCLI simplicityVSAvoidCLI system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12468563B2Command line interface

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 ALLIED TELESIS

AI summary

Systems, apparatus and methods described herein are configured to receive a user command line instruction, of a first type, for transmission to a device and convert the user command line instruction to a device specific command line instruction. In some embodiments, the systems, apparatus and methods described herein are further configured to transmit the device specific command line instruction to the device, and convert a device specific response received from the device to a response of the first type.