Extensible Management Server Graphical Display API

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing server computers across disparate locations is challenging due to the need for physical presence, complex data retrieval processes, and the difficulty in interpreting textual management data, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies for system administrators.

Innovation Solution

An extensible management server (XMS) system that allows system administrators to define and execute scripts to retrieve and display management data graphically, utilizing a management class library and graphical display API to format data for easy interpretation and visualization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a technician is physically present at the server location to manage and monitor server computers, then direct access to management data is achieved, but travel costs increase and remote management becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote management capabilityVSAvoidtravel costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the server's management interface through a web browser, allowing system administrators to access and interact with management data remotely without physically traveling to the server location. The graphical user interface replicates the server's management capabilities in a remote environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If management data is provided in textual format from server computers, then data retrieval is achieved, but interpretation difficulty increases and user-friendly access is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoiddata interpretation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical interaction of reading and interpreting raw textual management data with an automated graphical user interface that visually presents the data. The system automatically retrieves management data and transforms it into graphical representations, eliminating the need for manual interpretation of textual formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the retrieval process for management data is simplified for system administrators, then ease of use improves, but the flexibility and power to define custom scripts is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescript execution simplicityVSAvoidscript definition flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the management system into two distinct components: a scripting engine that handles complex data retrieval operations with full flexibility, and a simplified web-based graphical user interface that provides ease of use. This segmentation allows each component to excel at its specific function while working together as an integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If system administrators can monitor servers located around the country or globe, then remote management capability improves, but the complexity of managing disparate locations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeographic management scopeVSAvoiddistributed system management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal web-based interface that can access and manage servers located anywhere in the world through a single standardized platform. The system provides multi-functional capabilities including monitoring, configuration, and troubleshooting through one unified graphical user interface, eliminating the need for location-specific management tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8356309B1Graphical display of management data obtained from an extensible management server

Publication Date: 2013.01.15 AMERICAN MEGATRENDS

AI summary

An extensible management server (XMS) is disclosed that includes a management interface, a scripting engine, and a data store having management scripts and a management class library stored therein. The management interface provides functionality for receiving and responding to commands received from a management application. The management scripts include functionality for retrieving and setting management data on managed computers. The management scripts are configured to utilize classes contained in the management class library to perform the actual interaction with the managed server computers for retrieving or setting management data. The management scripts may also be configured to utilize a graphical display application programming interface for generating graphical display instructions for use by the management application in graphically displaying the management data.