Centralized DPP Configurator for IoT Onboarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The traditional Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP) process for IoT devices in enterprise WLANs is cumbersome and tedious, requiring individual onboarding and maintenance of bootstrapping information, which is inefficient and labor-intensive, especially in large networks with numerous access points and IoT devices.
Innovation Solution
A centralized configurator service is introduced to replace traditional mobile devices as DPP configurators, enabling automated DPP authentication and configuration of access points and IoT devices, with the ability to relay DPP frames and manage bootstrapping information centrally, reducing the need for repetitive human intervention and optimizing the provisioning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mobile devices are used as DPP configurators for each IoT device, then individual device provisioning can be completed, but the process becomes cumbersome and labor-intensive in large networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized configurator server as an intermediary between IoT devices and the network. This server consolidates the DPP configuration functionality that was previously distributed across multiple mobile devices. The server receives bootstrapping information from IoT devices, performs centralized authentication and configuration, and manages provisioning for multiple devices simultaneously, eliminating the need for individual mobile device intervention for each device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple individual provisioning operations into a single centralized process. Instead of having separate mobile devices provision each IoT device individually, the centralized configurator server combines the configuration functionality for multiple devices into one system that can handle batch provisioning, significantly reducing the time and effort required for large-scale device onboarding
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual DPP configuration is performed for each access point and IoT device, then device-specific settings can be managed, but the complexity of maintaining bootstrapping information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bootstrapping information management and DPP configuration functionality from individual mobile devices and concentrates it in the centralized configurator server. This extraction allows device-specific configuration capabilities to be maintained while removing the complexity of distributed bootstrapping information maintenance, as the server centrally stores and manages all provisioning data
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized configurator server provides universal configuration capabilities that can handle multiple device types (IoT devices and access points) with different specific requirements. The server maintains adaptability for device-specific settings while providing a unified management interface, eliminating the need for separate configuration processes for different device categories
3Reliability
If manual DPP provisioning is used for numerous devices, then security credentials can be verified individually, but the process is inefficient and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the centralized configurator server pre-fetch and store bootstrapping information from IoT devices before the actual provisioning process. The server proactively manages the authentication and configuration steps, eliminating the need for manual verification during the provisioning process. This preliminary automation maintains security verification while dramatically improving provisioning efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service provisioning where IoT devices automatically provide their bootstrapping information to the centralized configurator server, which then handles the entire authentication and configuration process without requiring manual intervention. The devices essentially provision themselves through automated interactions with the server, maintaining security while eliminating labor-intensive manual verification steps
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for implementing a centralized configurator server/service in the cloud that can take the place of conventional mobile devices used for provisioning IoT devices or WiFi clients in a network. In order to provision the IoT devices or WiFi clients, a mobile device or access point (AP) may be used to relay Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP) messages and/or information between the centralized configurator server/service and the IoT devices or WiFi clients.