Automatic Gateway Provisioning with Customer-Specific PPPoE Credentials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional MDU-based Wi-Fi systems face issues with high build-out costs, poor user experience, and managerial complexity, and onboarding gateway devices for DSL networks is complex and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A single management entity for Wi-Fi systems in MDUs, office spaces, and retail spaces, enabling load clustering, personalized tenant experiences, and tenant lifecycle management, with automatic onboarding of gateway devices via cloud-based servers using PPPoE credentials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If automatic configuration of gateway devices is implemented, then onboarding time and complexity are reduced, but system security and authentication reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveonboarding timeVSAvoidauthentication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-provisioning gateway devices with unique identifiers and cryptographic keys before deployment. The cloud service pre-generates device credentials and stores them in a secure database, so that when a gateway device connects to the PPPoE server, authentication can occur automatically without manual intervention. This preliminary setup reduces onboarding time while maintaining security through pre-established cryptographic relationships.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cloud service acts as an intermediary between the gateway device and the PPPoE server during the authentication process. It receives the device identifier from the gateway, retrieves the corresponding cryptographic credentials from its database, and communicates with the PPPoE server to establish authentication. This intermediary role enables automatic configuration while maintaining security through centralized credential management and controlled information exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If centralized cloud-based management is implemented, then operational efficiency and tenant satisfaction improve, but system complexity and infrastructure costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cloud service is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple functions: device provisioning, authentication credential management, PPPoE server coordination, and network access control. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single centralized system, the patent reduces the need for multiple separate management systems, thereby improving operational efficiency while managing overall system complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service capabilities where gateway devices automatically register with the cloud service upon connection, receive their authentication credentials without manual intervention, and configure themselves to access the PPPoE network. This automated self-configuration reduces the need for manual system administration, improving operational efficiency while the cloud service abstracts the complexity of credential management from individual devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If automatic PPPoE credential configuration is implemented, then user experience is improved, but network security and access control may be weakened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoidnetwork security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of credential delivery from manual configuration to automatic digital provisioning. Gateway devices receive authentication credentials as digital parameters through secure automated communication channels rather than manual input. This parameter change improves ease of operation by eliminating user interaction while maintaining security through cryptographic methods and controlled parameter transmission from the cloud service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual credential configuration with an automated electronic system. Instead of technicians physically configuring gateway devices or users manually entering PPPoE credentials, the system uses electronic communication between the cloud service, gateway devices, and PPPoE server to automatically provision and authenticate devices. This substitution improves user experience by eliminating manual steps while maintaining security through electronic credential management and authentication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4425845B1Automatically configuring a gateway device arranged in a network

Publication Date: 2025.10.08 PLUME DESIGN INC

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AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for automatically provisioning customer-specific credentials on a gateway device, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), or the like. A method, according to one implementation, includes the step of determining when a remote gateway device is connected to a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) server via a network. The remote gateway device is intended to enable one or more user devices in a Local Area Network (LAN) to access the Internet via the network and PPPoE server. The method also includes the step of automatically configuring customer-specific PPPoE credentials on the remote gateway device to thereby enable the PPPoE server to authenticate the remote gateway device and grant Internet access.