Local Configuration Device for Home Network Administration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote administration methods for home networks require complex software environments and additional protocol implementations on both the ACS server and home network equipment, making them inefficient and cumbersome, especially when managing intermittently connected equipment with varied service execution.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing local configuration equipment (LACS) that allows remote ACS servers to administer local network equipment without direct connections, using a global network model to simplify administration, reduce bandwidth consumption, and secure communications, while integrating with the gateway for comprehensive control and updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ACS server accesses devices through the gateway using traditional proxy methods, then remote administration capability is provided, but device complexity and software requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as an intermediary between the ACS server and local devices. Instead of requiring complex software on each device, the gateway receives administration requests from the ACS server, translates them into appropriate local commands, and executes them on the target devices. This mediator approach simplifies device requirements while maintaining full remote administration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a network router and as an administration proxy. It can handle multiple types of local devices with different protocols through a single interface, eliminating the need for device-specific administration software. The gateway universalizes the administration approach across diverse device types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex protocol implementations are installed on each local device, then comprehensive administration functions are achieved, but ease of manufacture and deployment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The complex protocol implementation and administration logic are extracted from individual local devices and centralized in the gateway. Local devices only need basic network connectivity, while the gateway contains all the sophisticated protocol handling, translation layers, and administration capabilities. This extraction simplifies device manufacturing and deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple administration functions and protocol implementations are merged into the single gateway device. Instead of distributing complex software across multiple devices, all administration capabilities are consolidated in the gateway, which then coordinates with simple local devices. This merging improves ease of manufacture while maintaining comprehensive administration versatility.
3Reliability
If the ACS server maintains direct connections to intermittently connected devices, then real-time monitoring is possible, but connection stability and administration reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a stable intermediary that maintains the connection to the ACS server while managing connections to intermittent local devices. When devices are offline, the gateway can queue administration requests and forward them when devices become available, or provide cached status information to the ACS server. This mediator role improves administration reliability without requiring complex connection management on each device.
4Ease of operation
If additional protocol functions are installed on gateway and devices, then remote administration capability is enhanced, but use of energy and system resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as an energy-efficient intermediary by maintaining the administrative connection to the ACS server while using simple, low-power communication protocols with local devices. Complex protocol processing and translation occur at the gateway rather than on battery-powered or resource-constrained local devices, reducing their energy consumption while preserving full remote administration capability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention concerns a method for administering a plurality of local devices 2 connected to a local communication network 3, said method comprising the following steps implemented by a local configuration device LACS 5 suitable for being connected to the local communication network 3 and to a remote configuration device ACS 1 : - receiving, from the remote configuration device ACS 1, a command to administer a service likely to be executed on the local communication network 3, referred to as an administration action, - determining, for said command, a list of the local devices 2 involved in the execution of said administration action, - transmitting, to each of said local devices 2 in said defined list, at least one administration command necessary in order to execute said administration action on the local communication network 3.