Location-Based Provisioning for Zero-Touch Device Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) techniques require manual association of computing device identification information with desired configurations, which is cumbersome and error-prone, especially when deploying or replacing large numbers of devices.
Innovation Solution
A location-based ZTP system that identifies a computing device's location and automatically retrieves the corresponding configuration from a database, eliminating the need for manual device identification and association.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual association of device identification information with configurations is used, then configuration accuracy is maintained, but deployment time and administrative effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service provisioning where computing devices automatically obtain configurations based on their detected physical location. The device autonomously queries the provisioning system using its location information and receives the appropriate configuration without human intervention, eliminating manual association efforts while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a location-based intermediary mechanism where physical location information serves as the mediator between devices and configurations. Instead of directly associating device IDs with configurations, the system uses location data as an intermediate key to automatically retrieve and assign the correct configuration, simplifying the overall process.
2Reliability
If device-specific configuration association is implemented, then configuration precision is ensured, but error probability increases with large numbers of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter used for configuration association from device identification information to physical location information. This parameter change fundamentally reduces errors because location-based association is inherently more reliable than manual device ID mapping, especially when devices are moved, replaced, or deployed in large quantities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration preparation by pre-associating configurations with physical locations rather than with specific devices. This preliminary action ensures that when any device arrives at a location, the correct configuration is already prepared and waiting, eliminating assignment errors regardless of which specific device is deployed.
3Ease of operation
If location-based automatic configuration retrieval is used, then administrative effort is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal provisioning system where a single location-based mechanism serves multiple functions: device onboarding, device replacement, configuration updates, and inventory tracking. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into one unified solution, managing complexity through functional integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A location-based zero-touch provisioning system includes a first computing device that is located at a first location, and a configuration provisioning system that is coupled to the first computing device. The configuration provisioning system receives first location information from the first computing device identifying the first location of the first computing device. The configuration provision system then identifies a first configuration that is mapped to the first location information in a configuration/location mapping included in a configuration provisioning database. The configuration provisioning system then provides the first configuration to the first computing device to configure the first computing device with the first configuration.