Discovery Proxy Scanning Access Routers for User Equipment Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small Internet Service Providers (ISPs) face challenges in identifying and managing user equipment within their networks due to the lack of sophisticated security mechanisms and subscriber management systems, which complicates packet traffic isolation and regulatory compliance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a discovery proxy that periodically scans access routers to collect address assignment records and passes them to a discovery server, enabling the identification of user equipment location within the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If small ISPs use basic security mechanisms without sophisticated OSS and subscriber management systems, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to identify and manage user equipment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a discovery proxy as an intermediary component that mediates between access routers and the rest of the network. This proxy collects location information from access routers and makes it available to other network elements, enabling user equipment identification without requiring complex centralized management systems. The discovery proxy simplifies the overall architecture while providing the necessary identification capability.
2Ease of operation
If subscriber-related information is distributed to access edge, then ease of operation is improved, but packet traffic isolation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into functional components: access routers that handle user connections, discovery proxies that collect location information, and core network elements that manage traffic. This segmentation allows subscriber information to be distributed to access edges for ease of operation while maintaining clear boundaries that facilitate packet traffic isolation. Each segment has defined responsibilities that prevent traffic mixing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple access nodes and UE nodes are supported, then adaptability is improved, but network management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discovery proxy implements a universal interface that can collect location information from multiple types of access routers and make this information available to various network elements. This multi-functional design allows the network to support diverse access nodes and user equipment while maintaining consistent management procedures. The discovery proxy handles different node types through standardized protocols, reducing management complexity despite the variety of supported devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for discovering user equipment in a network is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a discovery proxy periodically scans an access router that serves a target user equipment and collects an address assignment record of the target user equipment via the access router. The discovery proxy passes the address assignment record to a discovery server, and the discovery server identifies a location of the target user equipment based on the address assignment record of the target user equipment.