Gateway Automatic Configuration for Local Area Network Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for configuring network devices in home networks are cumbersome and often impossible when the service provider differs from the internet service provider, requiring manual setup and lacking automatic configuration capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method using a gateway communicatively coupled to a remote management server, which provides configuration data and manages network access, allowing automatic configuration of user devices by receiving device information, appending network information, and establishing connections within a protected network portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual configuration methods are used for network devices, then configuration can be performed with existing tools, but the configuration process becomes cumbersome and impossible when service provider differs from internet service provider
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between the user device and the network. The gateway receives configuration requests from user devices, automatically retrieves appropriate configuration data from remote servers, and applies the correct settings. This mediator resolves the incompatibility between different service providers by translating and adapting configuration parameters, enabling seamless operation regardless of which provider the user device connects to.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic configuration where the gateway device autonomously retrieves configuration data from remote servers without requiring manual user input. The gateway automatically detects the user device, requests appropriate configuration parameters from the server, and applies them seamlessly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually configure network settings, making the process both easier and more adaptable to different providers.
2Ease of operation
If automatic configuration is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but network security and access control become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as a security intermediary that automatically manages the complexity of network access control. It retrieves configuration data containing security policies from remote servers and enforces them automatically. This mediator handles the complex security management tasks behind the scenes, providing automatic configuration to users while maintaining robust security controls without requiring users to understand or manage the underlying complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration actions by pre-fetching and storing configuration data on the gateway before user devices need to connect. The gateway automatically retrieves security policies, access control rules, and network parameters from remote servers in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when user devices connect, configuration is immediate and automatic, while the complex security management has already been handled in preparation.
3Speed
If configuration data is stored locally, then access speed is improved, but system adaptability to different users and services deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway performs preliminary actions by pre-fetching configuration data from remote servers and storing it locally in a cache or database. When user devices need configuration, the gateway quickly retrieves the pre-fetched data locally, providing fast access. This preliminary action maintains speed while preserving adaptability, as the gateway can still fetch new or updated configuration data from the server as needed, ensuring user-specific settings are always current.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration system uses a nested structure where local configuration storage on the gateway contains user-specific profiles and settings. Each user device receives its own nested configuration data from the parent configuration repository on the gateway. This nested organization allows fast local access to user-specific settings while maintaining the ability to update and adapt configurations from the central server, combining speed with versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for configuring a device in a local area network using a gateway. The gateway is being communicatively coupled to a remote management server outside the local area network. The local area network comprises a protected portion and an unprotected portion. The method comprises the following actions: First a connection request is received from a user device. The user device is provided with an address that enables the user device to establish a connection with the gateway within the unprotected portion of the local area network. Then a configuration request is received from the user device, in which the configuration request includes device information. Network information is appended to the configuration request and the appended configuration request is sent to the remote management server. In response a configuration response message is received. The response message includes the configuration data from the remote management server. Finally, configuration of the user device is established within the protected portion of the local area network using the configuration data.