Operator-Hosted Interface for Wireless Network Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networking systems lack user-friendly and secure methods for provisioning private access points, allowing end-users to manage their network devices while ensuring compatibility with network provider requirements, especially in scenarios where web-based interfaces are not operator-managed and security is compromised due to open network ports.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing SMS text messaging and an operator-hosted interface allows users to send instructions for network device management, authenticating users and configuring access terminals through a centralized server, ensuring compatibility and security by reducing open network ports and using familiar interfaces like SMS and web-based methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If web-based interfaces are used for network device configuration, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates due to open network ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an operator-hosted interface as an intermediary between the user and the network device. Instead of users directly accessing the device through web interfaces that require open ports, all configuration requests are routed through the operator's secure server. The operator's server acts as a trusted mediator that receives user instructions, processes them securely, and applies configurations to the device without requiring the device to expose network ports to external access.
2Ease of operation
If users are allowed to directly configure network devices, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to incompatible configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The operator-hosted interface implements a feedback mechanism where user configuration requests are evaluated against the network provider's requirements before being applied. The system provides feedback to users about which configurations are compatible and which are not, preventing incompatible configurations from being applied. This feedback loop maintains user autonomy while ensuring reliability by filtering configurations through the operator's knowledge base of compatible settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary validation of user configurations before they are applied to the network device. The operator-hosted interface checks proposed configurations against known compatibility requirements in advance, preventing incompatible configurations from reaching the device. This preliminary action ensures that only validated, compatible configurations are deployed, maintaining system reliability.
3Ease of operation
If open network ports are maintained for device management, then ease of operation is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to security risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the network accessibility function from the network device itself and relocates it to the operator-hosted interface. The device no longer needs to maintain open network ports for management access because all remote access requests are handled by the operator's server. This extraction removes the security vulnerability (open ports) while preserving the functionality (remote device management) through a different architectural approach.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, in one aspect, instructions are received from a user for management of a network device, the instructions are adjusted for compatibility with requirements of a network provider other than the user, and the adjusted instructions are implemented on the network device.