Broker Provisioning for Multi-Server Control Device Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems face inefficiencies in managing connections with remote servers, particularly when remote servers become unavailable or change services, requiring manual patching and reconfiguration of control devices.
Innovation Solution
A control device establishes communication channels with remote servers via a broker service, such as a Broker Provisioner Service (BPS), which provisions connections and manages communication with multiple remote servers, enabling efficient updates and parallel connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control devices directly connect to remote servers, then connection management is simple, but manual patching and reconfiguration are required when servers become unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a broker service as an intermediary component between control devices and remote servers. The broker service receives connection requests from control devices, manages provisioning to appropriate remote servers, and handles reconfiguration when servers become unavailable. This intermediary layer automates the connection management process and eliminates the need for manual patching, thereby improving both ease of operation and reliability simultaneously.
2Reliability
If control devices connect to multiple remote servers, then service availability improves, but connection management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The broker service implements self-service automation by automatically receiving connection requests from control devices, determining appropriate remote server provisioning based on device information and service requirements, and managing reconfiguration when servers become unavailable. This automation eliminates the need for complex manual management of multiple server connections, allowing the system to maintain high service availability while keeping connection management simple.
3Stability of the object's composition
If manual patching is used for server reconfiguration, then connection stability is maintained, but time loss occurs during reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The broker service performs preliminary actions by maintaining readiness to reconfigure connections before actual server unavailability impacts service. When a remote server becomes unavailable, the broker service can quickly reconfigure control devices to alternative servers using pre-established provisioning information, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual patching operations and maintaining connection stability automatically.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a provisioning service, such as a broker provisioner service (BPS), for provisioning a device (e.g., such as a control device and/or a mobile device) to one or more remote servers. The device may send a connection request message to the BPS to be provisioned with the remote servers (e.g., one or more services offered by the remote servers). The BPS may determine one or more services and/or brokers associated with the corresponding remote servers with which the device may be provisioned, e.g., based on provisioning rules. The BPS may apply the provisioning rules to determine the appropriate services and/or brokers and the corresponding remote servers with which the device may be provisioned. The BPS may send a provision message to the device. The device may establish communications with the provisioned services and/or brokers and/or the corresponding remote servers.