Unified Network Management Framework for Multi-Organization Security
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Small organizations face challenges in securing and managing their network resources due to a lack of sufficient IT staff and the complexity of configuring and managing multiple types of network devices and services, often leading to inadequate security and inefficient resource management.
Innovation Solution
A unified management system that provides centralized and virtual management of network devices and services, allowing for the configuration, deployment, and operation of multiple types of devices and services through a multi-layer framework, with tiered administrative domains and separate Public Key Infrastructures for each organization, enabling secure and efficient management without requiring dedicated resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated provisioning is used to deploy new devices, then deployment speed and efficiency are improved, but security vulnerabilities may be introduced if security policies are not correctly applied
Solution Approach 1:
Security policies are pre-configured and bound to devices before provisioning occurs. The system establishes security configurations in advance, ensuring that security measures are already in place before the device is deployed to the network, eliminating the risk of security oversights during rapid provisioning
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes mechanisms to verify that security policies are correctly applied during automated provisioning. Feedback loops ensure that provisioning processes adhere to security requirements, allowing the system to detect and correct security policy violations automatically
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different types of equipment from different vendors are deployed to reduce costs, then device diversity and cost-effectiveness are improved, but configuration complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides a universal configuration management platform that can handle multiple types of devices from different vendors through a single interface. It implements vendor-agnostic configuration templates and policies that work across diverse equipment types, eliminating the need for separate management systems for each device category
Solution Approach 2:
The system acts as an intermediary layer between the diverse equipment and the management interface. It translates vendor-specific configuration parameters into a standardized management model, allowing administrators to configure and manage heterogeneous devices without needing to understand each vendor's specific configuration syntax and requirements
3Productivity
If centralized management is implemented to improve resource efficiency, then IT staff workload is reduced, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service provisioning and management capabilities where devices can be automatically configured and deployed without extensive manual intervention. The automated system performs routine management tasks independently, reducing the complexity burden on IT staff while maintaining centralized control
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized management system is segmented into modular functional components that can be independently deployed and managed. This modular architecture breaks down the overall system complexity into manageable segments, allowing organizations to implement centralized management incrementally rather than as a monolithic complex system
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are provided for managing network resources. A central unified services and device management framework is operated to simultaneously manage various types of resources on behalf of multiple organizations. Within the framework, a common management layer provides services (e.g., account management, event logging) common to multiple different services and devices. Within a specific management layer, separate subsystems are implemented for different devices or types of devices. The device-specific subsystems invoke device-independent functional modules through primitives exposed by the common management layer. A given organization may establish tiered logical constructs to group resources deployed at different physical locations (e.g., cities, offices) or within different subdivisions of the organizations (e.g., subsidiaries, departments).