Location-Aware Device Provisioning for Secure Energy-System Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current zero-touch configuration protocols are not optimized for provisioning and registration of devices, particularly in energy- or power systems, lacking efficient methods to ensure device location information is available and secure during the registration process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving pre-registration of devices with an energy- or power system, including operator authentication, device identification, location acquisition, and secure provisioning using a location-aware provisioning server, ensuring location and identification information is provided before proceeding with zero-touch configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If zero-touch configuration protocols are used for device provisioning, then human intervention is reduced and provisioning efficiency is improved, but location information availability and security during registration cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary registration of devices with location information before the actual provisioning process. The location-aware provisioning server stores device identification and location data in advance, so that when zero-touch configuration occurs, the location information is already secured and validated, eliminating the risk of missing or unauthorized location data during automated provisioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The location-aware provisioning server acts as an intermediary between the device and the zero-touch configuration protocol. It receives device registration requests, validates location information, and then facilitates the automated configuration process, ensuring that location security requirements are met while enabling automation.
2Reliability
If manual device registration processes are used, then location information can be verified and secured, but provisioning time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Location information is collected and validated in advance during device manufacturing or initial setup, and stored in the location-aware provisioning server. This preliminary action ensures location security is established before the device needs to be provisioned, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual verification during the actual provisioning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables devices to self-register and self-provision automatically. The location-aware provisioning server handles the verification and security aspects autonomously, allowing devices to complete provisioning without manual intervention while maintaining location information security through automated validation processes.
3Loss of information
If device location information is collected during installation, then fleet management capability is improved, but the risk of unauthorized access and improper registration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The location-aware provisioning server serves as a trusted intermediary that receives, validates, and secures location information. It implements authentication and authorization mechanisms to ensure only authorized devices and operators can register location data, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining location information availability for fleet management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication and validation of both the device and the operator before accepting location information. This preliminary security check ensures that only authorized entities can register location data, preventing improper registration while enabling location information collection for fleet management purposes.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to systems and methods for provisioning and registration of devices with an energy- or power system. A method of provisioning and registration of a device with an energy- or power system is provided, which comprises pre-registration of the device with the energy- or power system, and provisioning of the device and further registration of the device with the energy- or power system. The pre-registration of the device with the energy- or power system comprises the steps of: 1a.) an operator authenticating themselves with the energy- or power system, 1b.) the operator obtaining identification information about the device, preferably by scanning a code on the device, 1c.)the operator obtaining information about a location of the device, preferably based on a GPS signal, and 1d.) the operator pre-registering the device with a location-aware provisioning server, LAP server, of the energy- or power system, wherein pre-registering the device with the LAP server comprises sending a message to the LAP server that contains the identification information about the device and the information about the location of the device.