Home Gateway Virtual Device Multi-Server Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication technologies do not enable multiple servers from different service providers to configure and manage the same Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), such as a Home Gateway, effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method where a Home Gateway generates a virtual device, receiving configuration information from one server and management information from another, allowing multiple servers to manage the virtual device, which comprises part or all of the gateway's parameters and functions, enabling simultaneous configuration and management by multiple service providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single Home Gateway is used to provide multiple services from different service providers, then service versatility is improved, but management complexity increases because multiple ACSs need to configure and manage the same HGW
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single HGW into multiple virtual HGWs, each managed by a different ACS. The access ACS creates virtual HGWs that are logically separated but physically reside on the same device, allowing each service provider's ACS to manage its own virtual instance independently without interfering with others.
Solution Approach 2:
The access ACS acts as an intermediary between service ACSs and the physical HGW. It receives service ACSs' configuration requests, translates them into appropriate commands for the physical HGW, and manages the creation of virtual HGWs, thereby simplifying the management interface for multiple service providers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ACSs configure and manage the same HGW directly, then service coverage is improved, but configuration conflicts occur making operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the HGW into multiple virtual instances, each ACS configures and manages a separate virtual HGW rather than competing for control of the same device. This segmentation eliminates configuration conflicts while maintaining comprehensive service coverage across multiple providers.
Solution Approach 2:
The access ACS creates virtual copies of the HGW for each service provider. These virtual copies are software-based representations that replicate the HGW's functionality but operate in isolated configuration spaces, allowing multiple ACSs to work simultaneously without interference.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtualization is implemented to enable multiple ACS management, then multi-provider support is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The physical HGW is designed to perform multiple functions by hosting multiple virtual HGWs simultaneously. This universal design allows a single device to serve multiple service providers with different requirements, achieving multi-provider support without proportionally increasing physical hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Virtual HGWs are nested within the physical HGW infrastructure. The virtualization layer is embedded within the existing hardware platform, allowing multiple virtual instances to coexist on a single physical device without requiring separate hardware for each service provider.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, an apparatus, and a communication system for enabling a terminal to be managed by multiple servers are disclosed. The method includes: receiving, by a terminal, configuration information sent by a first server; generating a virtual device according to the configuration information; receiving management information from a second server; and managing the virtual device according to the management information. The terminal generates a virtual device locally so that the terminal can be managed by multiple servers; or the range of servers that manage the terminal is widened in the terminal, and the data model in the terminal is set so that multiple servers can manage one terminal.