Edge Router Port Binding for IP Device Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
The dynamic allocation and reuse of IP addresses complicate the accurate correlation of specific devices and physical locations, and the lack of geographic location information in IP addresses hinders various applications, including emergency services and security measures.
Innovation Solution
An edge router system that associates MAC addresses with physical ports and IP addresses, using a database to store location information corresponding to these ports, allowing for the determination of a device's physical location through IP or MAC address queries, and enabling secure service access and wiretapping controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If IP addresses are dynamically allocated and reused, then network resource utilization is improved, but the ability to accurately correlate specific devices and physical locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an edge router as an intermediary device that maintains binding information between IP addresses and physical ports. The edge router stores and manages the correspondence between dynamically allocated IP addresses and their associated physical locations, enabling accurate device-location correlation despite IP address changes. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by decoupling the dynamic IP allocation from the static physical location mapping.
2Device complexity
If IP addresses are used without geographic location information, then network simplicity is improved, but the capability for emergency services and security measures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts geographic location information from the IP address structure itself and stores it separately in the edge router's binding information. This allows the core IP addressing system to remain simple while enabling location-based services through the separate binding information database. The location data is taken out from the addressing protocol and managed independently, preserving network simplicity while adding emergency service capability.
3Measurement precision
If location information is stored in a database associated with edge router ports, then the ability to determine physical location is improved, but system complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The edge router performs multiple functions: it routes IP packets, manages IP address allocations, and maintains location binding information. By making the edge router universal and multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated location tracking infrastructure. The existing edge router infrastructure is enhanced to handle location information, reducing overall system complexity while improving location determination accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for providing location and other customer information corresponding to an IP addresses, including dynamically assigned IP address, are described. A port of an edge router is assigned to serve as a customer's point of access to an IP based network. Customer information including the location of the customer premises from which the IP network is accessed through the assigned edge router port is stored in a database associating edge router and port information with customer information. When information about a customer using an IP address is desired a database associating IP addresses with edge routers, e.g., edge which acted as proxies to facilitate IP address leasing is consulted. The edge router corresponding to the IP address of interest is then contacted to determine the port number associated with the IP address. Recovered edge router and port number information is then used to access the customer information database.