Managing configuration history in domestic networks
Domestic Networks are gaining in complexity, with an increasing number and variety of devices. Increasing complexity results in greater difficulty managing configuration and troubleshooting when problems occur. This thesis presents strategies to assist users in managing the complexity of their ne...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Thesis (University of Nottingham only) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/52115/ |
| _version_ | 1848798651489452032 |
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| author | Spencer, Robert |
| author_facet | Spencer, Robert |
| author_sort | Spencer, Robert |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Domestic Networks are gaining in complexity, with an increasing number and variety of devices. Increasing complexity results in greater difficulty managing configuration and troubleshooting when problems occur.
This thesis presents strategies to assist users in managing the complexity of their networks. The work is split into several parts.
First, configuration changes are tracked and users are presented with a timeline of changes to their network.
Provision of a selective undo system is the second feature. The undo facility is designed to allow any change to be undone independently of any other.
Users are also given the option of reverting to an earlier point, either before a specific change, or to a specific timestamp.
The next feature is use of notifications. Any changes that require further actions can be broadcast to users directly. Changing Wi-Fi configuration is one example.
The range of devices in use makes changing Wi-Fi configuration (and the subsequent reconfiguration of devices) a challenge, because the devices affected may be part of the infrastructure of a home (lights or thermostat for example). Because these devices have unique methods of network setup, restoring connectivity to every device can be challenging. This thesis also presents a method of changing Wi-Fi configuration which allows users a grace period to reconnect all their devices.
Each of these features was assessed by a user study, the results of which are also discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:23:10Z |
| format | Thesis (University of Nottingham only) |
| id | nottingham-52115 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:23:10Z |
| publishDate | 2018 |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-521152025-02-28T12:05:24Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/52115/ Managing configuration history in domestic networks Spencer, Robert Domestic Networks are gaining in complexity, with an increasing number and variety of devices. Increasing complexity results in greater difficulty managing configuration and troubleshooting when problems occur. This thesis presents strategies to assist users in managing the complexity of their networks. The work is split into several parts. First, configuration changes are tracked and users are presented with a timeline of changes to their network. Provision of a selective undo system is the second feature. The undo facility is designed to allow any change to be undone independently of any other. Users are also given the option of reverting to an earlier point, either before a specific change, or to a specific timestamp. The next feature is use of notifications. Any changes that require further actions can be broadcast to users directly. Changing Wi-Fi configuration is one example. The range of devices in use makes changing Wi-Fi configuration (and the subsequent reconfiguration of devices) a challenge, because the devices affected may be part of the infrastructure of a home (lights or thermostat for example). Because these devices have unique methods of network setup, restoring connectivity to every device can be challenging. This thesis also presents a method of changing Wi-Fi configuration which allows users a grace period to reconnect all their devices. Each of these features was assessed by a user study, the results of which are also discussed. 2018-07-19 Thesis (University of Nottingham only) NonPeerReviewed application/pdf en arr https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/52115/1/psxrjs-thesis-final.pdf Spencer, Robert (2018) Managing configuration history in domestic networks. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham. home computer networks networking domestic networks configuration |
| spellingShingle | home computer networks networking domestic networks configuration Spencer, Robert Managing configuration history in domestic networks |
| title | Managing configuration history in domestic networks |
| title_full | Managing configuration history in domestic networks |
| title_fullStr | Managing configuration history in domestic networks |
| title_full_unstemmed | Managing configuration history in domestic networks |
| title_short | Managing configuration history in domestic networks |
| title_sort | managing configuration history in domestic networks |
| topic | home computer networks networking domestic networks configuration |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/52115/ |