Network Communication Device Port Forwarding Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of the UPnP Internet Gateway Device protocol leads to bugs in routers and network communication devices, causing manufacturers of network communication devices to bear a significant burden of performing extensive connection tests with various router models, especially with new releases or firmware updates, making it difficult to ensure sufficient testing.
Innovation Solution
A network communication device equipped with a router search unit, attribute information acquisition unit, and router control unit that utilize the UPnP protocol to automatically set port forwarding on routers, reducing the need for manual connection tests by using a portal server to store and verify compatible router configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the UPnP Internet Gateway Device protocol is used to enable port forwarding, then network communication devices can be accessed from the wide area network, but the protocol complexity causes bugs and increases the burden of connection testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portal server as an intermediary that manages router compatibility information. Instead of directly testing each network communication device with every router model, the portal server acts as a mediator that stores and provides compatibility data, reducing the complexity burden on individual devices while maintaining network accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of router compatibility information stored on the portal server. Rather than performing extensive real-world connection tests for each device-router combination, the system uses stored compatibility data (a form of information copy) to determine whether a device can work with a router, significantly reducing testing burden while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If manufacturers perform extensive connection tests with various router models, then compatibility is improved, but the testing burden and time consumption increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs compatibility testing in advance and stores the results on the portal server. When a network communication device needs to determine router compatibility, it retrieves pre-tested information rather than performing new tests, significantly reducing testing time while maintaining reliability through previously verified compatibility data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where compatibility test results are stored and reused. The portal server provides feedback information about which routers are compatible with specific network communication devices, eliminating the need for repeated testing and reducing time loss while ensuring reliable compatibility.
3Reliability
If connection tests are performed frequently for new router models and firmware updates, then compatibility reliability is maintained, but the enormous burden on manufacturers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portal server serves as an intermediary that absorbs the burden of managing compatibility information. Instead of manufacturers directly performing and managing extensive tests for each new router model or firmware update, the portal server centralizes this function, reducing the manufacturing burden while maintaining compatibility verification through the same reliable testing process.
Data Source
AI summary
A network communication device (100) comprising a router search unit (102) for searching a router (300) connected to a local network (200), an attribute information acquisition unit (104) for acquiring attribute information from the searched router (300), an attribute information storage unit (105) for storing the acquired attribute information, a router control unit (103) for controlling the searched router (300) to perform port forwarding setting, and an attribute information transmission unit (106) for transmitting the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage unit (105) to a portal server (500) on a wide area network (400).