Ethernet CPE Management via Wake Signal and Secure Session
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communications service providers face challenges in managing customer premise equipment (CPE) due to security issues inherent in Ethernet communications, where open sessions increase the risk of security breaches and make it difficult to diagnose and repair problems.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that establishes a secure management session with CPE devices using a wake signal, daemon logic, and extended Ethernet protocols to manage CPE devices selectively, reducing security risks and resource usage by limiting management IP addresses and signaling to only what is necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If open communications sessions are used to manage Ethernet devices at customer locations, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to increased risk of security breaches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic session management where management sessions are established temporarily when needed and then terminated, rather than maintaining persistent open sessions. This dynamic approach allows easy operation during active management tasks while minimizing security exposure when management activities are not occurring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic wake signals to activate CPE devices for management communications only when necessary, followed by session termination. This periodic activation pattern enables operational ease during scheduled management windows while reducing security risks during idle periods between management activities.
2Ease of operation
If management sessions are established with CPE devices, then ease of operation is improved, but resource consumption is worsened due to continuous IP address allocation and signaling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic wake signals that activate CPE devices only when management communications are needed. This approach maintains full management capability during active sessions while dramatically reducing resource consumption during idle periods when devices remain dormant and IP addresses are not allocated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically allocates IP addresses and establishes management sessions only when wake signals are received and management tasks are required. This dynamic resource allocation ensures operational ease is maintained when needed while minimizing resource consumption during periods when management activities are not occurring.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If wake signals and action parameters are used to establish management sessions, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened due to additional signaling protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication protocol into distinct functional components: wake signals for activation, action parameters for configuration, and management sessions for operations. This segmentation organizes the signaling complexity into manageable, well-defined stages that improve security through structured authentication and communication phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by sending wake signals and action parameters before establishing full management sessions. This preliminary authentication and configuration phase ensures security is established before operational communications begin, organizing the complexity into a secure bootstrap sequence.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for managing customer premise equipment (CPE) devices. A wake signal is issued to the CPE device. Action parameters are communicated to the CPE device in response to receiving acknowledgement of the wake signal from the CPE device. A management session is established with the CPE device utilizing an address for secure communications in response to the CPE device acknowledging the action parameters. Communications are performed through the management session to perform operation, administration, and maintenance of the CPE device. The management session with the CPE device is terminated.