Docker Microservice Gateway for IoT Protocol Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing IoT systems face challenges with high communication infrastructure costs and insufficient bandwidth due to the time-consuming data transfer process from industrial equipment to cloud servers, necessitating a flexible and efficient solution for managing various legacy communication interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A microservice-based device control interface system utilizing a Docker registry server and gateway, where resources are installed and managed using a Docker-based microservice structure, allowing for flexible interface changes and protocol adaptation, enabling efficient communication through a single gateway with edge computing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data is transferred from industrial equipment to cloud servers through traditional gateway infrastructure, then data transfer functionality is provided, but communication bandwidth is insufficient and transfer time is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monolithic gateway functionality into multiple independent Docker containers, each handling specific communication protocols or data processing tasks. This modular architecture enables parallel data processing across multiple containers, significantly increasing throughput and reducing transfer time compared to traditional sequential processing in single gateway systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by implementing edge computing capabilities directly within the gateway infrastructure through Docker-based microservices. This allows data processing to occur at the network edge rather than requiring complete transmission to cloud servers, effectively adding a spatial dimension (edge vs. cloud) that reduces transfer time and bandwidth requirements.
2Reliability
If traditional gateway infrastructure is used for data transfer, then basic connectivity is established, but communication infrastructure cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal gateway platform using Docker containers that can handle multiple communication protocols (Modbus, OPC UA, MQTT, etc.) and various data processing functions within a single infrastructure. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate hardware gateways for each protocol, significantly reducing infrastructure costs while maintaining reliable connectivity across diverse industrial equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses Docker container technology to create virtual copies of gateway functionality for different protocols and processing requirements. Instead of purchasing and deploying multiple physical gateway devices, the system replicates gateway capabilities through software containers, reducing hardware costs while maintaining the reliability needed for industrial communications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gateways or additional modules are deployed to handle various communication protocols, then protocol compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic gateway system where Docker containers can be added, removed, or modified based on real-time communication requirements. This dynamic architecture allows the gateway to adapt to different protocols and devices without requiring complex static configuration, as new capabilities can be introduced by simply deploying new containers rather than reconfiguring existing hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces Docker container technology as an intermediary layer between the physical gateway hardware and the various communication protocols. This intermediary abstraction simplifies protocol compatibility by standardizing how different protocols are handled within containers, reducing the complexity of direct hardware-protocol mappings that would otherwise require complex configuration and multiple specialized modules.
4Adaptability or versatility
If legacy communication interfaces are supported through traditional methods, then interface compatibility is maintained, but system flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments legacy interface support into independent Docker containers, each dedicated to a specific communication protocol or interface type. This segmentation isolates interface management complexity into manageable units that can be configured and maintained independently, while the overall system gains flexibility through the ability to add or remove interface support by deploying or removing specific containers.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a system and method for providing a microservice-based device control interface. The system for providing a microservice-based device control interface includes a Docker registry server in which resources required for providing a device control interface are located and a gateway which receives and installs resources and provides a device control interface using a Docker-based microservice structure.