Gateway Credential Provisioning for Restricted Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for connecting devices to restricted networks, such as Wi-Fi networks, require manual input of access credentials, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a gateway device capable of broadcasting services to connected devices, determining authorization, and automatically providing credentials for access to restricted networks, streamlining the connection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual input of access credentials is used to connect devices to restricted networks, then network security is maintained, but user convenience and connection efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing access credentials for restricted networks in the credential store before a device needs to connect. When a device requests connection, the gateway retrieves pre-stored credentials and automatically provides them, eliminating the need for manual input and reducing connection complexity while maintaining security through controlled credential distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device acts as an intermediary between devices and restricted networks. It receives connection requests, validates them through the backend system, retrieves appropriate credentials from the credential store, and automatically provides them to devices. This intermediary role simplifies the user experience while maintaining security through centralized credential management and authorization validation
2Productivity
If automatic credential provision is implemented, then connection efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device performs multiple functions: it acts as a wireless access point, maintains a credential store, communicates with the backend system for validation, and automatically provisions credentials to devices. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional gateway, the system achieves fast automatic connection while managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic credential provisioning. When a device connects to the gateway, the gateway automatically determines authorization by communicating with the backend system, retrieves appropriate credentials from the credential store, and provisions them to the device without human intervention. This automation speeds up connection while the modular architecture (gateway, backend system, credential store as separate components) helps manage system complexity
3Reliability
If centralized credential management is used, then security is maintained, but network access complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts credential management functionality from individual devices and centralizes it in the gateway's credential store. The gateway stores credentials centrally and selectively distributes them to authorized devices based on backend validation. This extraction maintains security through centralized control while reducing access configuration complexity for end users, who no longer need to manually input or manage credentials on each device
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway serves as an intermediary that manages credential distribution centrally. It receives connection requests from devices, validates them through the backend system, retrieves appropriate credentials from the centralized credential store, and provides them automatically. This intermediary approach maintains security through centralized validation and credential control while simplifying device access configuration, as devices automatically receive credentials without user intervention
Data Source
AI summary
Particular embodiments of a gateway computing device provide a provisioning service for access credentials to a restricted network, wherein the provisioning service is accessible by an open network. A messaging protocol for the open network may only recognize messages relating to one of a set of services provided by the gateway computing device, including the provisioning service. The gateway computing device may receive, from a client device, a request to connect to the restricted network, wherein the request was sent using the open network. Upon determining whether the client device is authorized to access the restricted network, the gateway computing device may send a response to the client device using the open network.