Lifeline Connection for Remote Device Reconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for remote management of service subscriber devices, such as TR-069, fail when communication between the Auto Configuration Server (ACS) and Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) is lost due to certificate expiration, configuration issues, network topology changes, or user intervention, leading to unmanageable devices that require costly manual intervention for reconnection.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that establish a 'lifeline connection' using a predetermined port number for reestablishing the remote management connection by transmitting a message with reestablishment information and commands to the CPE, allowing it to reconnect to the ACS, even if the primary connection is lost, using a Connection Request Server and Client Module that function independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TR-069 protocol is used for remote management, then security and robustness are improved, but reliability is worsened when communication is lost due to certificate expiration, configuration issues, or network changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the CPE device proactively send a unidirectional message to the ACS containing its current configuration information (certificate status, ACS URL, authentication credentials) before the connection is actually needed. This allows the ACS to pre-validate the configuration and prepare for potential reconnection scenarios, reducing the complexity of connection re-establishment when communication is lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism by using a unidirectional message channel as a mediator between the CPE and ACS. This message serves as an intermediate step that carries configuration validation information without requiring immediate bidirectional communication, allowing the system to detect and resolve configuration issues before they cause connection failures.
2Productivity
If manual intervention is required to restore lost connections, then security is maintained, but productivity and service continuity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the CPE device to autonomously re-establish its management connection with the ACS without requiring manual intervention. The CPE uses the configuration information previously communicated via the unidirectional message to automatically reconnect, allowing the system to restore service continuity efficiently while maintaining security through validated configuration data.
3Reliability
If additional security measures such as authentication are implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of reconnection are worsened when configuration is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by having the CPE device send a unidirectional message to the ACS that includes information about its current configuration state (certificate expiration status, ACS URL validity, authentication credential status). The ACS can analyze this feedback information to detect configuration issues before they cause connection failures, allowing for proactive configuration validation and renewal without increasing reconnection difficulty.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the field of remote management of devices, and devices for implementing the method. In particular the invention relates to a lifeline connection for remote manageable devices, which lifeline connection can be used to re-establish a communication that has been lost between a remote configuration management server and a remote manageable device.