Home Network Gateway Backup via Mobile Device Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home network gateways require additional hardware configurations with two WAN interfaces to ensure reliability, leading to resource wastage as only one interface is typically used.
Innovation Solution
A method where a first device in the home network receives a message from the gateway indicating a broken connection and sets packet forwarding rules to reroute packets through an existing second connection with the external network, allowing the gateway to forward packets from other devices to the first device, thereby maintaining communication without adding hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two WAN interfaces are configured on the gateway to improve connection reliability, then communication reliability is improved, but hardware complexity and resource waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a first device (such as a smartphone or tablet) as an intermediary to establish a second connection with the external network when the gateway's first connection fails. This intermediary device acts as a backup communication path, allowing packets to be routed through it when the primary WAN interface is unavailable, thereby improving reliability without adding redundant WAN interfaces to the gateway
Solution Approach 2:
The first device in the home network is given multiple functions: it serves as a regular home network device for local communication and simultaneously acts as a backup WAN interface when the primary connection fails. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain connectivity through a single device that can perform both roles, avoiding the need for dedicated backup hardware
2Reliability
If two WAN interfaces are configured on the gateway to ensure backup connectivity, then communication reliability is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between the first connection (gateway to external network) and the second connection (first device to external network) based on connection status. When the primary connection is active, it handles all traffic; when it fails, the system dynamically routes traffic through the backup connection, optimizing resource usage by activating backup resources only when needed
3Reliability
If packet forwarding rules are set to route packets through the first device, then connectivity is maintained during failure, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway monitors the status of the first connection and provides feedback by sending a first message to the first device when the connection breaks. This feedback mechanism triggers the first device to set the second packet forwarding rule, ensuring that the system automatically adapts to connection failures without requiring complex manual configuration or anticipation of failure scenarios
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a data transmission method, device, and gateway. A method includes: receiving, by a first device in a home network, a first message sent by a gateway, where the first message identifies that a first connection between the gateway and an external network is broken; sending, by the first device after receiving the first message, a second message to the gateway, where the second message is used to enable the gateway to set a first packet forwarding rule on the gateway, where the first packet forwarding rule is used by the gateway to forward packets that come from a second device in the home network and are destined for the external network, to the first device; and setting, by the first device after receiving the first message, a second packet forwarding rule on the first device, where the second packet forwarding rule is used by the first device to forward packets that come from the gateway and are destined for the external network, through a second connection that is established by the first device with the external network. The technical solution of the present invention can improve reliability of communication between a device in a home network and an external network without adding gateway hardware configurations.