Device and method for granting network access permission to network device

Abstract

The invention discloses equipment and a method for granting network access permission to network equipment. A debugging tool (10) for granting network access permission to network equipment comprises a network installation code generation unit (11) for generating one or more network installation codes; a memory unit (14) configured to store the one or more network installation codes; a transmitter (12) configured to transmit the network installation code generated by the network installation code generation unit (11) to a network device (30) and a network coordination device (20); a user interface (13) configured to receive a user command for transmitting the one or more network installation codes generated by the network installation code generation unit (11); and a network control unit (15) in functional communication with the memory unit (14), the transmitter (12) and the user interface (13), where the network control unit is configured to instruct the transmitter (12) to transmit one or more network installation codes upon receipt of a command via the user interface (13).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application with application number 2019103730263, application date May 6, 2019, and invention name “Device and method for granting network access permission to network devices”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of networks. In particular, the present invention relates to tools, systems and methods for providing permission for a network device to join a network. Background Art

[0003] For network security reasons, the installation code is used for network devices to join the wireless network. Usually, the network coordinator has access to the installation code and can enable network devices to join the network. The network coordinator can obtain the installation code by means of different technologies, such as scanning a barcode such as a QR code (Quick Response Code) using a smartphone or using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. However, in some commercial systems, especially after installation, it is difficult for the user to access the installation code by scanning a matrix barcode or by using NFC technology, especially due to the long distance. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present application is to provide an easy and safe possibility for network devices to join a network.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a debugging tool is provided for granting a network device access permission to join a network. The network may be a wireless network of devices configured to communicate using any wireless communication protocol. The network device may be any network-capable device configured to adapt to the needs of any particular network by actively and / or passively participating in network operations.

[0006] The debugging tool includes a network installation code generation unit for generating one or more network installation codes (NICs). The network installation code is an access code required for a device to join a network.

[0007] The debugging tool also includes a memory unit configured to store one or more network installation codes and a transmitter configured to transmit the network installation code generated by the network installation code generation unit to the network device and the network coordination apparatus.

[0008] The debugging tool also includes a user interface configured to receive a user command to transmit one or more network installation codes generated by the network installation code generation unit.

[0009] The debugging tool also includes a network control unit. The network control unit is in functional communication with the memory unit, the transmitter and the user interface, and is configured to read out one or more network installation codes stored in the memory unit and instruct the transmitter to transmit one or more network installation codes when a command is received via the user interface. Specifically, when a command to transmit a network installation code is received, the network installation code can be transmitted to the network coordination device and / or the network device.

[0010] The debugging tool can configure the network system according to the Zigbee standard (based on the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol), especially the Zigbee 3.0 standard.

[0011] The network installation code generation unit may be configured to randomly generate the network installation code, in particular, by means of a random number generator implemented in the network installation code generation unit. Due to the randomly generated network installation code, network security may be improved.

[0012] The network installation code generation unit may be configured to generate a plurality of network installation codes, and the memory unit may be configured to store a list including the plurality of network installation codes, wherein the network control unit is configured to read out the list with the plurality of network installation codes and instruct the transmitter to transmit the list with the plurality of network installation codes to the network coordination device. By transmitting the list with the plurality of network installation codes to the network coordination device, debugging may be performed in batch mode. Specifically, the transmission of the network installation code to the network coordination device may be performed during one transmission, while each network installation code from the list may be individually assigned to each network device. Thus, a plurality of network devices may be added to the network, for example, during expansion of the network.

[0013] The user interface may include at least one button for receiving a user command. The user interface may be configured such that pressing at least one button of the user interface may instruct the debugging tool to send a network installation code to the network coordination device or the network equipment. The user interface may be configured such that by pressing at least one button, for example by double clicking the same button or pressing a dedicated button, a list with a plurality of network installation codes stored in the memory unit may be sent to the network coordination device for batch mode.

[0014] In some embodiments, the debugging tool includes an encryption unit, which may be part of the network control unit, for encrypting the network installation code before transmitting the network installation code. In order to decrypt the network installation code, the network coordination device and the network equipment may be respectively equipped with a decryption unit. The encryption unit of the debugging tool and the decryption units of the network equipment and the network coordination device may be provided with a dedicated certificate for encrypted communication purposes.

[0015] The debugging tool may be configured as an IR debugging tool. Specifically, the transmitter of the debugging tool may be an IR transmitter, or may be configured to communicate with the network coordination device and the network device via IR communication. Specifically, the transmitter may include an IR interface configured to send a network installation code or a list of network installation codes to a device equipped with an IR receiver or an IR transceiver, and the IR receiver or the IR transceiver may be configured to receive the network installation code sent by the transmitter of the debugging tool.

[0016] The transmitter may be configured to use other communication technologies such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiFi (trademark for wireless LAN), or UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter).

[0017] In some embodiments, the transmitter may include a first interface for communicating with a network coordination device and a second interface for communicating with a network device coordinated by the network coordination device. Both the first interface and the second interface may use the same communication technology such as IR or Bluetooth for issuing access codes. The first interface and the second interface may also use different communication technologies. For example, the first interface may be configured to use Bluetooth technology, while the second interface may be configured to use IR technology. In some embodiments, the first interface may use IR technology and the second interface may use Bluetooth. In some embodiments, the first interface may use UART or WiFi, while the second interface uses IR technology.

[0018] In some embodiments, the debugging tool includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving commands, wherein the transmitter is a part of the transceiver. Specifically, the transceiver of the debugging tool can be used to receive commands from a user to remotely control the debugging tool.

[0019] In some embodiments, the debugging tool may include an indicator such as an LED (light emitting diode) indicator. The indicator may be configured to indicate the status of the network debugging tool to better control the operation of the debugging tool. In some embodiments, the indicator may indicate that the transmission of the network installation code and / or a list of multiple network installation codes has been completed, for example by flashing.

[0020] According to a second aspect, a network coordination apparatus for granting access permission to a network device to join a network is provided.

[0021] The network coordination device comprises a transceiver configured to receive at least one network installation code from a debugging tool, in particular a debugging tool according to the first aspect, and at least one network installation code from a network device. The network coordination device also comprises a memory unit configured to store at least one network installation code received from the debugging tool.

[0022] The network coordination device also includes a network control unit in functional communication with the transceiver and the memory unit. The network control unit is configured to receive a network installation code received from a network device via the transceiver, read out at least one network installation code stored in the memory unit, and grant permission to the network device to join the network when the at least one network installation code received from the network device matches the at least one network installation code stored in the memory unit.

[0023] The transceiver may be configured to receive a plurality of network installation codes, and the memory unit may be configured to store a list of the plurality of network installation codes, wherein the network control unit is configured to grant permission to the network device to join the network when the network installation code received from the network device matches at least one network installation code in the list of the plurality of network installation codes stored in the memory unit. The network coordination device is thus configured to enable the batch mode described above.

[0024] The network control unit may be configured to start the network device installation program by sending a network joining permission start signal to the network device, prompting the network device to submit an installation code to the network coordination device.

[0025] The network coordination device may include an indicator such as an LED indicator. The indicator may be configured to indicate the status of the network coordination device to better control the operation of the network coordination device. In some embodiments, the indicator may indicate, for example by flashing, that the transmission of the network installation code and / or a list having multiple network installation codes to the network coordination device has been completed.

[0026] The transceiver of the network coordination device may be an IR transceiver configured to communicate with the debugging tool and the network device based on IR communication. Specifically, the transceiver may be configured to receive a network installation code or a list of multiple network installation codes from an IR transmitter or an IR transceiver of the debugging tool and transmit a network joining permission start signal to a network device equipped with an IR transceiver. The transceiver may be configured to use other communication technologies, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiFi (trademark for wireless local area networks), or UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter).

[0027] According to a third aspect, a network device configured to join a network by using a network installation code is provided. The network device includes a transceiver configured to receive a network installation code from a debugging tool, for example, based on IR communication. The network device also includes a memory unit configured to store the network installation code received from the debugging tool and a network control unit. The network control unit is in functional communication with the transceiver and the memory unit, and is configured to search for a joinable network, read out the network installation code stored in the memory unit when a joinable network is found, and instruct the transceiver to transmit the network installation code to a network coordination device to obtain network access permission for the network device to join the network.

[0028] The network control unit may be configured to detect whether the network installation code has been received by the transceiver and start searching for a joinable network when the network installation code is detected to have been received by the transceiver. Thus, the network mode may remain in a power saving sleep or standby mode until the network installation code is received from the commissioning tool.

[0029] The network device may include an indicator such as an LED indicator. The indicator may be configured to indicate the state of the network device to better control the operation of the network device. In some embodiments, the indicator may, for example, indicate that the transmission of the network installation code to the network device has been completed by flashing.

[0030] According to a fourth aspect, a method for providing network access permission to at least one network device to join a network is provided. The method includes generating, especially randomly generating, at least one network installation code by a network installation code generation unit of a debugging tool. The method also includes transmitting the at least one network installation code to a network coordination device and transmitting the at least one network installation code to at least one network device. The method also includes verifying whether the network installation code sent to the network device has been sent to the network coordination device, and granting network access permission to the network device if it is confirmed that the network installation code sent to the network device has been sent to the network coordination device.

[0031] The transmission of at least one network installation code to the network coordination device may include transmitting a list having a plurality of network installation codes, wherein verifying whether the network installation code sent to the network device has been sent to the network coordination device includes verifying whether the network installation code sent to the network device matches at least one network installation code in the list having a plurality of network installation codes. By transmitting the list having a plurality of network installation codes to the network coordination device, device commissioning may be performed in a batch mode, particularly for a plurality of network devices.

[0032] The method may include searching for a joinable network by the network device and transmitting a network installation code from the network device to the network coordination device when a joinable network is found. By transmitting the network installation code only after a joinable network is found, a particularly energy-efficient operation of the network device can be achieved.

[0033] The method may include starting the network device installation program by sending a network joining permission start signal to the network device, prompting the network device to submit the installation code to the network coordination device. The network joining permission start signal may be used as a wake-up signal for the network device to start searching. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In the following description, details describing the embodiments of the present application will be provided. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these embodiments can be implemented without the foregoing details.

[0035] Some parts of these embodiments have similar elements. Similar elements may have the same name or similar element numbers. Whenever appropriate, the description of an element is applied to another similar element by reference, thereby reducing the repetition of text, rather than limiting the present invention.

[0036] Figure 1 A debugging tool for providing a network device with network access permission to join a network according to an embodiment is schematically shown.

[0037] Figure 2 A network coordinator according to an embodiment is schematically illustrated.

[0038] Figure 3 A network device according to an embodiment is schematically shown.

[0039] Figure 4 A network according to an embodiment is shown.

[0040] Figure 5 A network according to another embodiment is shown.

[0041] Figure 6 A flow chart of a method for providing network access permission to a network device according to an embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 1 A debugging tool for providing a network device with a network access permission to join a network according to an embodiment is schematically shown. The debugging tool 10 includes a network installation code (NIC) generation unit 11, a transmitter 12, and a user interface 13. The network installation code generation unit 11 is configured to generate a network installation code. In this embodiment, the network installation code generation unit 11 is configured to randomly generate a NIC.

[0043] The transmitter 12 is configured to send the network installation code generated by the network installation code generation unit 11 to the network device and the network coordinator. The user interface 13 is configured to receive a user command to transmit the network installation code to the network coordinator and the network device respectively.

[0044] The debugging tool 10 also includes a memory unit 14, which is configured to store one or more network installation codes generated by the network installation code generation unit 11. The debugging tool 10 also includes a network control unit 15. The network control unit 15 is in functional communication with the network installation code generation unit 11, the transmitter 12, the user interface 13 and the memory unit 14. The network control unit 15 is configured to read out the one or more network installation codes stored in the memory unit 14 and instruct the transmitter 12 to send the one or more network installation codes based on the issuance command received from the user via the user interface 13.

[0045] In this embodiment, the debugging tool is configured for the network system according to the Zigbee standard (based on the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol), especially the Zigbee 3.0 standard.

[0046] In some embodiments, the network installation code generation unit 11 is configured to generate multiple network installation codes, and the memory unit 14 is configured to save a list including multiple network installation codes generated by the network installation code generation unit 11, wherein the network control unit 15 is configured to read out the list with the network installation code and instruct the transmitter 12 to send the list with the network installation code to the coordinator when receiving a user command via the user interface 13.

[0047] In some embodiments, the debugging tool 10 further comprises an encryption unit configured to encrypt the network installation code before transmitting the network installation code to the coordinator or the network device. In some embodiments, the encryption unit is part of the network control unit. In some embodiments, the debugging tool 10 comprises a transceiver, wherein the transmitter 12 is part of the transceiver. The transceiver may be further configured to receive commands for remotely controlling the debugging tool 10.

[0048] In some embodiments, the user interface 13 comprises at least one button for receiving a user command, such that pressing the button causes the transmitter to transmit a network installation code or a list with network installation codes.

[0049] The transmitter 12 is an IR (infrared) transmitter. Specifically, the transmitter may include an IR interface configured to send a network installation code or a list of network installation codes to the network device and the network coordinator, each of which is equipped with an IR receiver or an IR transceiver configured to receive the network installation code sent by the transmitter 12 of the debugging tool 10.

[0050] In some embodiments, the transmitter is configured to use other communication technologies, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiFi (trademark for wireless LAN), or UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter).

[0051] In some embodiments, the transmitter 12 may include a first interface for communicating with a coordinator and a second interface for communicating with a network device that coordinates its permission to the network through the coordinator. Both the first interface and the second interface may use the same communication technology such as IR or Bluetooth to issue a network installation code. The first interface and the second interface may also use different communication technologies. For example, the first interface may be configured to use Bluetooth technology, while the second interface may be configured to use IR technology. Alternatively, the first interface may be configured to use IR technology and the second interface may be configured to use Bluetooth. In some embodiments, the first interface may use UART or WiFi, while the second interface uses IR technology.

[0052] Figure 2 A network coordination device for granting permission to join a network to a network device according to an embodiment is schematically shown. The network coordination device 20 includes a transceiver 22. The transceiver 22 is configured to receive one or more network installation codes from the debugging tool 10. The transceiver 22 is also configured to receive at least one network installation code from a network device. The network coordination device 20 also includes a memory unit 24, which is configured to store at least one network installation code received by the transceiver 22 from the debugging tool 10. The network coordination device 20 also includes a network control unit 25. The network control unit 25 is in functional communication with the transceiver 22 and the memory unit 24. The network control unit 25 is configured to receive at least one network installation code received from the network device through the transceiver 22, read out at least one network installation code stored in the memory unit 24, and grant permission to join the network to the network device when the network installation code received from the network device matches the at least one network installation code stored in the memory unit 24.

[0053] In some embodiments, the transceiver 22 is configured to receive a plurality of network installation codes, wherein the memory unit 24 is configured to store a list of the plurality of network installation codes. The network control unit 25 may also be configured to grant permission to the network device to join the network when the network installation code received from the network device matches at least one network installation code in the list of network installation codes stored in the memory unit.

[0054] In some embodiments, the network control unit 25 is further configured to start the network device installation program by transmitting a network permission activation signal to the network device and prompting the network device to submit a network installation code to the network coordination device 20 .

[0055] Figure 3 A network device according to an embodiment is schematically shown. The network device 30 includes a transceiver 32 configured to receive a network installation code from the debugging tool 10. The network device 30 also includes a memory unit 34 configured to store the network installation code received from the debugging tool 10. The network device 30 also includes a network control unit 35 configured to search for a joinable network, and when a joinable network is found, read out the network installation code stored in the memory unit 34 and instruct the transceiver 32 to transmit the network installation code to the network coordinator 20 to join the network.

[0056] In some embodiments, the network device 30 is configured to detect whether the network installation code has been received by the transceiver and to start searching for a joinable network upon detecting that the network installation code has been received by the transceiver.

[0057] Figure 440 includes a debugging tool 10, a network coordination device 20 and a network device 30 according to the above aspects of the present invention. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the transmitter 12 of the debugging tool 10 is an IR transmitter. The transceiver 22 of the network coordination device 20 and the transceiver 32 of the network device are both IR transceivers configured to receive the network installation code transmitted from the IR transmitter of the debugging tool. Figure 4 The arrows in the figure indicate the communication between the debugging tool 10, the network coordination apparatus 20 and the network device 30. Specifically, the arrow 41 from the debugging tool 10 to the network coordination apparatus 20 indicates the transmission of the network installation code from the debugging tool 10 to the network coordination apparatus 20, and the arrow 42 from the debugging tool 10 to the network device 30 indicates the transmission of the same network installation code from the debugging tool 10 to the network device 30. The bidirectional arrow 43 indicates the communication between the network coordination apparatus 20 and the network device 30, including granting permission to the network device 30 to join the network coordinated by the network coordination apparatus 20 and the network device 30 joining the network by using the network installation code transmitted from the debugging tool 10 to the network device 30.

[0058] Figure 5 A system according to another embodiment is shown. Figure 5 The system includes a debugging tool 10 according to the above aspect of the present invention, a network coordination device 20 and a plurality of network devices 30. The plurality of network devices 30 include N network devices 30. Figure 5 In the embodiment, the transmitter 12 of the debugging tool 10 is an IR transmitter. The transceiver 22 of the network coordination device 20 and the transceiver 32 of the network device 30 are both IR transceivers configured to receive the network installation code transmitted from the IR transmitter of the debugging tool 10. Figure 5 The arrows in the figure indicate the communication between the debugging tool 10, the network coordination device 20 and the network equipment 30.

[0059] Specifically, arrow 51 from debugging tool 10 to network coordination apparatus 20 indicates transmission of a list with network installation codes from debugging tool 10 to network coordination apparatus 20, and each arrow 52 from debugging tool 10 toward each network device 30 indicates transmission of a respective network installation code from debugging tool 10 to each of N network devices 30. Bidirectional arrow 53 indicates communication between network coordination apparatus 20 and network devices 30, including individually granting permission to each network device 30 to join a network coordinated by network coordination apparatus 20. Arrow 53 also symbolizes that network device 30 joins a network by using the respective network installation code received from debugging tool 10.

[0060] Figure 6A flowchart of a method for providing network access permission to a network device according to an embodiment is shown. The method 100 can be implemented in any network system including the debugging tool 10 according to the first aspect, the network coordination device 20 according to the second aspect, and one or more network devices 30 according to the third aspect.

[0061] In step 105 of method 100, network installation code generation unit 11 of debugging tool 10 generates a network installation code. Specifically, the network installation code may be generated as a random network installation code, for example, by means of a random number generator included in network installation code generation unit 11 of debugging tool 10.

[0062] In step 110, the debugging tool 10 transmits the network installation code generated by the network installation code generating unit 11 to the network coordination device 20 via the transmitter 12. In some embodiments, the transmission of the network installation code in step 110 can be initiated by pressing a button provided on the user interface 13 of the debugging tool 10. An indicator such as an LED indicator of the network coordination device 20 and / or the network debugging tool 10 can indicate the status of the network coordination device 20 and / or the network debugging tool 10 during the transmission of the network installation code to the network coordination device 20. In some embodiments, the indicator can indicate that the transmission is completed by, for example, flashing.

[0063] In step 115, upon receiving the network installation code transmitted from debugging tool 10, network coordination device 20 starts a permission joining procedure based on the network installation code received from debugging tool 10. Specifically, network coordination device 20 can prompt network devices within range of network coordination device 20 to submit the network installation code to join the network by issuing a command.

[0064] In step 120, the debugging tool 10 transmits the network installation code generated by the network installation code generating unit 11 to the network device 30 via the transmitter 12. In some embodiments, the transmission of the network installation code in step 120 can be initiated by pressing a button provided on the user interface 13 of the debugging tool 10. An indicator such as an LED indicator of the network device 30 and / or the network debugging tool 10 can indicate the status of the network device 30 and / or the network debugging tool 10 while the network installation code is being transmitted to the network device 30. In some embodiments, the indicator can indicate that the transmission has been completed by, for example, flashing.

[0065] At step 125, upon receiving the network installation code from the commissioning tool 10, the network device 30 starts searching for a joinable network.

[0066] In step 130, network device 30 joins the network by using the network installation code received from debugging tool 10. Specifically, network device 30 may join the network by submitting the network installation code to network coordination device 20 after receiving a network permission start join signal from network coordination device 20 prompting network device 30 to join the network.

[0067] For each additional device, steps 110-130 can be repeated to install multiple network devices. In this case, all additional network devices 30 obtain the same network installation code for joining the network.

[0068] Steps 105-130 may be repeated to install a second or any additional network device 30. In this case, a new network installation code is generated for each new network device 30 to be added to the network, so that the second and any additional network devices 30 obtain their own individual network installation code for joining the network. By providing individual network installation codes to all network devices 30, the security of the entire network can be increased.

[0069] In some embodiments, step 105 may include generating a plurality of network installation codes by the network installation code generating unit 11 of the debugging tool. Step 105 may also include saving the plurality of network installation codes in the memory unit 14 of the debugging tool 10 as a list with network installation codes.

[0070] Step 110 may further include reading out the list with the network installation codes from the memory unit 14 and transmitting the list with the network installation codes to the network coordination device 20 .

[0071] Step 120 may include transmitting each network installation code from the list of network installation codes to each network device individually. The transmission of each individual network installation code to each individual network device 30 in step 120 may be substantially asynchronous with the transmission of the list of network installation codes to the network coordination device 20 in step 110.

[0072] Specifically, the transmission of each network installation code to each network device 30 may be performed substantially immediately after the network installation code has been generated by the network installation code generation unit 11 .

[0073] In some embodiments, the transmission of each network installation code is performed after generating a list with network installation codes and storing the generated list with network installation codes in the memory unit 14 of the debugging tool 10 .

[0074] In some embodiments, at least part of the above-mentioned communication between the debugging tool 10, the network coordination device 20 and the network device 30 is encrypted, for example, with the aid of a dedicated certificate.

[0075] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a large number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing the exemplary embodiments.

[0076] Description of Reference Numerals

[0077] 10 Debugging Tools

[0078] 11 Network installation code generation unit

[0079] 12 Transmitter

[0080] 13 User Interface

[0081] 14 Memory cells

[0082] 15 Network Control Unit

[0083] 20 Network coordination device

[0084] 22 Transceiver

[0085] 24 memory cells

[0086] 25 Network Control Unit

[0087] 30 Network devices

[0088] 32 Transceivers

[0089] 34 memory cells

[0090] 35 Network Control Unit

[0091] 40 Systems

[0092] 41 Transmission of Network Installation Code

[0093] 42 Transmission of Network Installation Code

[0094] 43 Communication between the network coordination device and network devices

[0095] 50 systems

[0096] 51 Transmission of a list with multiple network installation codes

[0097] 52 Transmission of network installation code

[0098] 53 Communication between the network coordination device and multiple network devices

[0099] N is the number of network devices

Claims

1. A debugging tool for granting a network access permission to a network device, the debugging tool (10) comprising: A network installation code generating unit (11) for generating one or more network installation codes; a memory unit (14) configured to store the one or more network installation codes; A transmitter (12) configured to transmit the network installation code generated by the network installation code generation unit (11) to the network device (30) and the network coordination device (20); A user interface (13) configured to receive a user command for transmitting one or more network installation codes generated by a network installation code generation unit (11); and A network control unit (15) is in functional communication with the memory unit (14), the transmitter (12) and the user interface (13), wherein the network control unit is configured to instruct the transmitter (12) to transmit one or more network installation codes when a command is received via the user interface (13).

2. The debugging tool according to claim 1, wherein the network installation code generation unit (11) is configured to randomly generate a network installation code.

3. A debugging tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the network installation code generation unit (11) is configured to generate multiple network installation codes, and wherein the memory unit (14) is configured to save a list including multiple network installation codes generated by the network installation code generation unit (11), wherein the network control unit (15) is configured to read out the list with multiple network installation codes and instruct the transmitter (12) to transmit the list with multiple network installation codes to the network coordination device (20).

4. The debugging tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the user interface comprises at least one button for receiving user commands.

5. The debugging tool according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the debugging tool (10) comprises an encryption unit for encrypting the network installation code before transmitting the network installation code.

6. The debugging tool according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the debugging tool (10) is an infrared communication tool.

7. A network coordination device for granting a network access permission to a network device, the network coordination device (20) comprising: A transceiver (22) configured to receive at least one network installation code from a debugging tool (10) and to receive at least one network installation code from a network device (30); A memory unit (24) configured to store at least one network installation code received from the debugging tool (10); and A network control unit (25) in functional communication with the transceiver (22) and the memory unit (24), wherein the network control unit (25) is configured to receive a network installation code received from a network device (30) via the transceiver, read out at least one network installation code stored in the memory unit (24), and grant permission to the network device (30) to join the network when the network installation code received from the network device (30) matches the at least one network installation code stored in the memory unit (24).

8. A network coordination device according to claim 7, wherein the transceiver (22) is configured to receive multiple network installation codes, and wherein the memory unit (24) is configured to save a list having multiple network installation codes, wherein the network control unit is configured to grant permission for the network device (30) to join the network when the network installation code received from the network device (30) matches at least one network installation code in the list having multiple network installation codes saved in the memory unit (24).

9. The network coordination device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the network control unit (25) is also configured to start the network device installation program by sending a network joining permission start signal to the network device (30) and prompting the network device (30) to submit an installation code to the network coordination device (20).

10. A network device configured to join a network by using a network installation code, the network device comprising: a transceiver (32) configured to receive a network installation code from a debugging tool (10); a memory unit (34) configured to store a network installation code received from a debugging tool (10); A network control unit in functional communication with the memory unit is configured to search for a joinable network, read out a network installation code stored in the memory unit (34) when a joinable network is found, and instruct the transceiver (32) to transmit the network installation code to the network coordination device (20) to obtain network access permission for the network device (30) to join the network.

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