Home-Router Container Deployment via Reverse Proxy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional home-network router systems require technical expertise to set up and configure home-network Apps, necessitating additional hardware and manual router settings, making them inaccessible to non-technical users.
Innovation Solution
The home-network router is equipped with a reverse proxy, orchestration App, and configuration database that allow users to deploy and manage home-network Apps directly, enabling automatic configuration and operation without additional hardware, by receiving container acquisition data and updating routing rules, DNS, and firewall configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If home-network Apps are deployed on additional computing devices (mini-computers) connected to the router, then application functionality is provided, but device complexity and setup difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the application hosting capability directly into the home-network router by integrating a container runtime environment. This merging eliminates the need for separate mini-computers or additional computing devices, as the router itself now serves as the platform for running home-network Apps through containerized applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The router is transformed into a multi-functional device that not only performs traditional networking functions but also hosts and manages containerized applications. The container runtime environment enables the router to execute multiple different Apps simultaneously, providing universal application hosting capability across various home-network scenarios.
2Reliability
If manual configuration of router settings is required to enable App functionality, then application control is precise, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automated container deployment and configuration management. When a user selects an App from the online catalog, the container runtime environment automatically handles the deployment process, including downloading the container image, configuring necessary settings, and launching the application without requiring manual router configuration by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
Application configurations and container images are prepared in advance and stored in an online catalog. This preliminary preparation allows the system to deploy applications quickly and automatically when selected by users, eliminating the need for real-time manual configuration and reducing setup complexity.
3Reliability
If expert knowledge is required to load software and configure hardware, then system control is precise, but accessibility to non-technical users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container runtime environment acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the complex router configuration. Users interact with a simplified interface to select and deploy applications, while the container runtime handles the complex technical aspects of software loading, configuration, and management, shielding non-technical users from complexity while maintaining precise system control.
Solution Approach 2:
Applications are distributed as pre-configured container images that encapsulate all necessary software and settings. This copying approach allows applications to be deployed consistently and reliably without requiring users to manually configure complex parameters, as the container images contain all configuration details prepared in advance.
4Reliability
If additional hardware is required to run home-network Apps, then application isolation is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses containerization to segment and isolate applications at the software level rather than requiring separate physical hardware. Each home-network App runs in its own container, providing application isolation and security without the need for additional computing devices or hardware infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Application environments are copied into lightweight container images that can be executed directly on the router. This approach provides application isolation similar to running on separate hardware but achieves it through software virtualization, eliminating the need for additional physical devices while maintaining security and isolation boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments describe methods, systems, and devices for deploying an application associated with a user-selected container on a home-network router. Exemplary implementations may include receiving, at the home-network router from a remote server, container acquisition data including configuration information and rules for downloading the user-selected container. Also, initiating, by the home-network router, operation of application logic of the user-selected container in response to downloading the user-selected container from a remote container registry. Further, updating, by the home-network router, a reverse proxy maintained in the home-network router through application logic, wherein the reverse proxy is configured to forward requests from operation of the user-selected container to one or more remote servers; transmitting, from the home-network router to a remote computing device, a notification that the application associated with the user-selected container is deployed.