Cloud Server Field Device Management via Virtual Drivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for data communication between network devices across different LANs face low security, limited by network structures and firewalls, resulting in a low connection success rate and inefficient development processes due to complex hardware environment requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for managing field devices based on a cloud server, involving a system with clients, an access server, and a cloud server, where clients obtain device lists, generate virtual device drivers, configure driver parameters, and establish communication channels to manage target devices, enhancing security and connection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If NAT technology is used for address translation and network protection, then network security is improved, but peer-to-peer communication capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud server as an intermediary mediator that enables peer-to-peer communication between devices behind NAT firewalls. The cloud server receives connection requests from one device, establishes corresponding connections with the other device, and forwards data packets bidirectionally, thus mediating communication that would otherwise be blocked by NAT security mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from direct peer-to-peer communication (two-dimensional device-to-device) to a three-dimensional communication model involving a cloud server intermediary. By adding the cloud server dimension, the system can establish connections between devices that would be blocked in direct two-dimensional communication due to NAT firewall restrictions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex hardware environments are created for hardware interface compatibility, then device compatibility is improved, but development efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual device drivers that are software copies representing physical hardware devices. Instead of developing direct hardware interfaces for each physical device type, the system creates virtual representations (virtual drivers) that interface with the cloud server. This allows developers to work with abstracted virtual interfaces rather than complex physical hardware environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware interface system with a software-based virtual driver system. Physical hardware devices are represented by virtual drivers that communicate through the cloud server, eliminating the need for developers to configure complex hardware interfaces, cables, and physical testing environments.
3Speed
If direct peer-to-peer communication is attempted through NAT, then connection speed is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the cloud server receives connection requests from one device, checks the status of corresponding connections with the other device, and sends feedback information back to initiate proper connection establishment. This feedback loop ensures reliable connection setup by verifying that corresponding connections exist before allowing data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by having devices first establish connections with the cloud server before enabling peer-to-peer communication. The cloud server pre-establishes the communication channels and validates connection status before actual data transmission occurs, ensuring reliability is established beforehand rather than during the connection process.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for managing a field device based on a cloud server. The method includes: obtaining, by a client, a list of devices from the cloud server, and selecting a target device to be managed from the list of devices; generating, by the client, a corresponding virtual device driver according to device information of the target device and configuring a driver parameter of the virtual device driver, and sending the driver parameter to an access server via the cloud server to trigger the access server to configure an interface of the target device according to the driver parameter; and determining, by the client, to establish a communication channel between the client and the target device upon reception of a configuration success message returned from the access server, and managing the target device according to the communication channel.