Remote Firmware Update Scheduling for Network Equipment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for updating firmware in Customer-Premises Equipment (CPE) connected to a network cause downtime for users, as simultaneous updates lead to high server loads and are scheduled during less convenient times, affecting user access and server capacity.
Innovation Solution
A method for remotely managing firmware updates by determining a specific time slot for each equipment based on its connection data, allowing updates to be scheduled when the equipment is least used, thereby reducing server load and personalizing the update process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If firmware updates are scheduled during a fixed time slot when equipment is least likely to be required, then user disruption is minimized, but server load becomes concentrated and requires larger server capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the firmware update process by dividing equipment into multiple groups, each assigned to different time slots for updates. Instead of updating all equipment simultaneously in a single fixed time slot, the system distributes updates across multiple time slots (e.g., first time slot, second time slot, third time slot) with each slot handling a subset of equipment. This segmentation reduces the concentration of server load while maintaining user access continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic time slot assignment based on actual equipment usage data. Rather than using a static fixed time slot for all equipment, the system monitors connection data and dynamically determines optimal update times for each equipment or group. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to varying usage patterns and distribute server load more effectively across different time periods.
2Duration of action of moving object
If firmware updates are scheduled during night time in the shortest possible time slot, then updates complete quickly, but equipment becomes unavailable during the update period affecting user access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the equipment base into multiple groups that are updated in sequential time slots rather than all at once. Each group receives updates during a dedicated time slot, which shortens the unavailability period for each specific equipment while distributing the overall update process across multiple periods. This ensures that at any given time, only a subset of equipment is unavailable, maintaining overall user access availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic firmware updates by scheduling different equipment groups in different periodic time slots (first time slot, second time slot, third time slot). This periodic distribution ensures that updates occur regularly but not simultaneously for all equipment, reducing the impact on user access while maintaining efficient update completion for each equipment group.
3Productivity
If all equipment are updated simultaneously to minimize total update time, then productivity is improved, but server load becomes excessively high requiring larger server sizing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the equipment population into multiple groups that are updated in parallel across different time slots. Each group is processed independently by the server during its assigned time slot, which prevents the server from being overwhelmed by simultaneous requests from all equipment. This segmentation maintains productivity by updating multiple groups in sequence while reducing peak server load compared to truly simultaneous updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by collecting connection data from equipment over a predetermined period before scheduling updates. This preliminary data collection allows the system to analyze usage patterns and pre-determine optimal time slots for each equipment group, enabling efficient update scheduling that balances productivity with server load management without requiring excessive server capacity.
4Device complexity
If a fixed time slot is used for all equipment updates, then scheduling is simplified, but updates cannot be personalized to user habits and practices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the equipment into multiple groups with different time slot assignments based on their usage patterns. Instead of applying a single fixed time slot to all equipment, the system creates segmented groups (first group, second group, third group) that can be updated at different times. This segmentation enables personalized update scheduling while maintaining manageable complexity through automated group management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different update time slots to different equipment groups based on their specific usage characteristics. Each group receives customized update timing tailored to its local usage patterns rather than a uniform global schedule. This allows the system to adapt to local user habits and practices while maintaining overall scheduling efficiency through automated segmentation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described for remotely managing a piece of network connection equipment in order to deploy a firmware. The method includes generating connection data of the equipment to the network over a predetermined period of time, determining, on a remote management server, a time slot, specific to the equipment, for downloading the firmware depending on these the generated connection data, transmitting, to the equipment, information relating to the time slot specific to this equipment and to an address of a download server, sending, from the equipment, a request for downloading the firmware to the download server, sending, from the download server, firmware download data to the equipment, and downloading the firmware during the time slot specific to the equipment.