Distributed Residential Gateway for IoT Device Quarantine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional customer premise equipment (CPE) devices lack the processing and computing capabilities to effectively implement robust security solutions, making them vulnerable to malware attacks and cyber threats from smart/IoT devices, which require frequent software updates and expensive hardware upgrades.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a distributed residential gateway architecture that allows for targeted filtering of network traffic by identifying compromised UE devices, sending a DHCP force renew message, and generating a DHCP offer message with a new IP address within a layer 2/3 access list to quarantine the device, enabling complete or partial host isolation at the CPE's LAN or WAN interfaces without requiring complex software or expensive hardware updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional CPE devices are used to provide network connectivity, then device cost is reduced and simplicity is maintained, but processing capability and security features are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CPE device into two functional parts: a simple hardware appliance providing basic connectivity and a virtualized network gateway that provides advanced security and processing functions. This segmentation allows the hardware to remain inexpensive while the virtualized components deliver enterprise-grade security capabilities through software-based functions like deep packet inspection, threat intelligence integration, and adaptive security services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualized network gateway as an intermediary layer between the simple CPE hardware and the network traffic. This virtualized gateway acts as a mediator that enhances the basic CPE functionality with advanced security processing, threat detection, and response capabilities without requiring expensive hardware upgrades to the physical CPE device.
2Reliability
If network-based gateways are deployed to provide robust security features, then security capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of network gateway functions through virtualized software components that run on the CPE device. Instead of deploying complex physical network gateways, the system uses virtualized instances that replicate gateway functionalities such as packet inspection, filtering, and security processing, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining security capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/hardware-based security processing with software-based virtualized functions. The virtualized network gateway uses software-defined networking and virtualization technologies to perform security functions that would traditionally require complex physical hardware, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining or enhancing security capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If smart/IoT devices are connected to the network, then device functionality and connectivity are improved, but vulnerability to malware attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the virtualized network gateway continuously monitors network traffic from smart/IoT devices, analyzes threat patterns using threat intelligence feeds, and dynamically adjusts security policies. The system receives feedback from multiple sources including intrusion detection systems, threat intelligence platforms, and network behavior analysis to adaptively respond to emerging threats targeting connected devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively blocking known malicious traffic patterns and threat signatures before they can compromise smart/IoT devices. The virtualized gateway pre-configures security rules based on threat intelligence and actively prevents malware attacks, ransomware, and other harmful activities before they reach vulnerable connected devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices for performing targeted filtering of network traffic generated by user equipment (UE) devices connected to a customer premise equipment (CPE) device in a communication system that includes a distributed residential gateway. A network server may determine that the communication system includes a UE device that is compromised, misconfigured, or operating outside normal communication parameters, identify the UE device, determine an Internet protocol (IP) address or a media access control (MAC) address of the identified UE device, generate a quarantine request message that includes the IP address or the MAC address of the identified UE device in response to determining that the preconfigured virtual local area network access control list (VACL) on the CPE lists source IP addresses from which the CPE will filter outbound traffic, and send the generated quarantine request message to a bridged residential gateway (BRG) associated with the CPE device.