Li-Fi Out-of-Band DPP Bootstrapping for Zero-Touch Onboarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network device onboarding processes are inefficient and require extensive user interaction, particularly in environments with multiple network devices, where quick and seamless integration into wireless networks is necessary.
Innovation Solution
The use of Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) for out-of-band (OOB) communication to initiate the onboarding process through Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP) bootstrapping information, including a bootstrapping public key and channel list, allowing network devices to establish secure connections without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional onboarding processes are used for network devices, then security can be maintained through authentication protocols, but user interaction and onboarding time are extensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables devices to perform self-onboarding by automatically generating and exchanging DPP bootstrapping information through Li-Fi communication. The configurator device and enrollee device autonomously complete authentication and provisioning without requiring manual user intervention, thereby increasing onboarding speed while eliminating the operational burden on users.
Solution Approach 2:
Li-Fi communication serves as an intermediary out-of-band channel for transmitting DPP bootstrapping information between devices. This intermediate communication path enables automatic key exchange and authentication, resolving the contradiction by providing a mechanism for fast, automated onboarding that does not rely on traditional manual authentication methods.
2Reliability
If extensive onboarding procedures are implemented for network devices, then security standards are maintained, but the complexity and time required for device integration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring DPP bootstrapping information (including public keys and channel indicators) in devices before deployment. During onboarding, this pre-prepared information is automatically exchanged via Li-Fi, allowing security authentication to occur instantly without time-consuming manual procedures, thus maintaining security while eliminating time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical onboarding procedures (physical configuration, manual authentication) with automated optical communication (Li-Fi). The optical channel enables rapid transmission of security credentials, substituting time-intensive manual processes with fast automated optical data exchange while maintaining the same security standards.
3Productivity
If manual onboarding processes are used for multiple network devices, then authentication can be verified, but the process becomes inefficient and cumbersome in multi-device environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal onboarding mechanism that works across multiple device types and scenarios through standardized DPP bootstrapping information exchange over Li-Fi. The same automated process handles configurator-to-enrollee, enrollee-to-configurator, and bulk device provisioning scenarios, eliminating the need for different manual procedures and reducing overall process complexity while improving integration efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables zero-touch onboarding and bulk provisioning of network devices, reducing user interaction and enhancing efficiency while maintaining high security standards, particularly for IoT devices and headless network devices.
Implementation Method 1
send the bootstrapping information to another network device over Li-Fi as out-of-band (OOB) for initiating an onboarding process
Data Source
AI summary
Easy Connect is a simple and fast onboarding method that avoids the inconvenience caused by other existing onboarding methods. However, onboarding of enrollee devices can be problematic given the requirement of user interaction. Improvements are made to the onboarding process of enrollee devices within proximity of a configurator device by utilizing Li-Fi for those enrollee devices that are Li-Fi capable. The initial bootstrapping information can be made using Li-Fi as out-of-band (OOB) for transmission between the configurator device and the one or more enrollee devices. Once the enrollee device receives the bootstrapping information via Li-Fi, the enrollee device and the configurator device can continue onboarding using a wireless connection without requiring user intervention.