Bootstrap Load Balancer for IoT Network Bootstrapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Constrained IoT devices face challenges with bootstrapping due to the single point of failure in LWM2M Bootstrap Servers, which can lead to overload and Denial of Service attacks, and existing solutions are limited by the inability to distribute load balancing across multiple servers.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates temporary bootstrap URIs by computing a derivative of a shared secret with a static bootstrap URI, allowing devices to connect to a network and a bootstrap load balancer to map these URIs to multiple LWM2M Bootstrap Server instances, distributing the load and enhancing security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single LWM2M Bootstrap Server is used, then the bootstrapping process is simple to implement, but the system becomes vulnerable to overload and Denial of Service attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single bootstrap server into multiple server instances (first bootstrap server instance, second bootstrap server instance, etc.). Each instance handles a portion of the bootstrapping load, distributing traffic across multiple endpoints. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining simplicity through standardized interfaces while improving reliability through distributed architecture that prevents single-point failure and overload.
2Reliability
If multiple LWM2M Bootstrap Server instances are deployed, then load distribution and fault tolerance improve, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a load balancer as an intermediary component that manages client connections to multiple bootstrap server instances. The load balancer receives bootstrap requests from clients, determines appropriate server instances based on load conditions and client characteristics, and forwards requests accordingly. This intermediary simplifies the system architecture by centralizing the complexity of multi-instance management, allowing clients to interact with a single load balancer endpoint while benefiting from distributed server reliability.
3Ease of operation
If all devices connect to the same bootstrap server simultaneously, then the bootstrapping process is straightforward, but the server becomes overloaded and unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bootstrap server capacity into multiple parallel server instances, each capable of handling bootstrapping requests independently. This segmentation increases overall system throughput by distributing the aggregate load across multiple processing units. Devices maintain straightforward connection processes by connecting to the load balancer, which then distributes them to appropriate server instances, preserving ease of operation while enhancing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic load balancing that adapts to real-time server conditions. The load balancer monitors the state of each bootstrap server instance and dynamically adjusts request distribution based on current load, capacity, and performance metrics. This dynamic approach optimizes throughput by directing traffic to underutilized instances while preventing overload of busy instances, thereby maintaining high productivity without sacrificing operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for operating a device and for managing bootstrapping of devices are disclosed. The method (100) for operating a device comprises computing (102) a derivative of a secret shared between the device and a server entity of a network, generating (104) a temporary bootstrap URI by combining at least a part of the computed derivative with a static bootstrap URI for the network, and sending (106) a bootstrap request to the temporary bootstrap URI. The method for managing bootstrapping of devices comprises generating temporary bootstrap URIs corresponding to devices operable to connect to a network, and updating a network DNS registry to map the generated temporary bootstrap URIs to the IP address of at least one of a bootstrap server instance reachable via the network and/or a bootstrap load balancer. Also disclosed are a device, a bootstrap load balancer, a bootstrap server, and a computer program.