Network Device Self-Configuration via Structure Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DHCP methods require knowledge of device MAC addresses or client IDs for assigning static IP addresses, necessitating manual configuration or pre-marking, which is inconvenient and requires skilled personnel.
Innovation Solution
A configuration protocol that assigns network addresses and parameters to devices using non-unique structure information, such as manufacturer's model number or sub-module arrangement, allowing self-configuration and differentiation within a local area network without relying on MAC addresses or client IDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If DHCP assigns static IP addresses based on MAC addresses or client IDs, then IP address stability is improved, but configuration complexity increases requiring manual setup or pre-marking of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically determines its own structure information (model number, sub-module arrangement) and uses this information in DHCP requests to receive appropriate configuration parameters. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual configuration or pre-marking of devices while maintaining stable IP address assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter used for DHCP configuration from traditional MAC addresses to structure information parameters (model number, sub-module arrangement). This parameter change allows automatic differentiation of devices based on their physical characteristics rather than requiring manual configuration, thus reducing configuration complexity while maintaining IP address stability.
2Measurement precision
If manual configuration or pre-marking is used to assign static IP addresses, then IP address assignment accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates requiring skilled personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically provides its structure information to the DHCP server, enabling accurate IP address assignment without requiring skilled personnel to manually configure or mark devices. The self-service mechanism maintains assignment accuracy while dramatically improving ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If DHCP uses non-unique structure information for configuration, then ease of operation is improved enabling self-configuration, but device differentiation capability may be worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the device identification into multiple hierarchical levels: model number (coarse-grained differentiation) and sub-module arrangement (fine-grained differentiation). This segmentation allows non-unique structure information to still provide sufficient differentiation within a local area network, enabling self-configuration while maintaining adequate device differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new dimension of differentiation by using sub-module arrangement information alongside model number. This dimensional expansion transforms non-unique structure information into sufficiently unique identifiers for device differentiation within the network context, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and differentiation precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of self-configuring a network device. The method includes transmitting non-unique structure information of a network device, from the network device to a configuration server, receiving, by the network device from the configuration server, one or more configuration parameter values responsive to the transmitted structure information and configuring the network device with the configuration parameter values.