Presence Server Mediates Media Access Without VPN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for remote access to media content in local networks require establishing a VPN tunnel for browsing, leading to increased complexity and lack of selective content sharing, with potential address collisions and restrictive access control.
Innovation Solution
A method and arrangement using a media server to send subscription requests to a presence server for media content information, allowing users to browse and select content without initial VPN tunnel establishment, with selective access control and IMS authentication for secure content sharing across multiple networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If VPN tunnel is established for browsing remote media content, then access control is achieved, but device complexity and operation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a presence server as an intermediary component that mediates between the media server and remote devices. The presence server publishes media content information and manages presence data, eliminating the need for direct VPN tunnel establishment while maintaining secure access control. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by providing reliable access control through centralized management without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the remote access function into separate components: a presence server for managing media content information and presence data, and a media server for actual media delivery. This segmentation allows browsing to occur without establishing VPN tunnels, as the presence server handles the discovery and information publishing separately from the media transport, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining access control.
2Reliability
If VPN tunnel is established for browsing, then secure access is provided, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex setup requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The presence server automatically publishes media content information and manages presence data without requiring manual configuration or VPN tunnel setup by the user. The system performs self-service operations to establish secure connections and provide access control, thereby maintaining security while significantly improving ease of operation for end users who simply need to browse available content.
3Reliability
If traditional remote access architecture is used, then access control is implemented, but adaptability deteriorates due to restrictive sharing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic access control where the presence server can publish different media content information to different remote devices based on their identities and permissions. This dynamic publishing capability allows selective content sharing and adapts to different user requirements, thereby improving versatility while maintaining reliable access control through the centralized presence management system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and arrangement in a media server (300a) in a first local network (300), of providing remote access to media content stored in a second local network (302). The media server sends a subscription request (3:2) to a presence server (304) for information on media content in the second local network, substantially based on the existing presence service framework. In response thereto, a presence service notification is received (3:3) from the presence server with information referring to remote media content in the second local network that has been published at the presence server. The media server then retrieves (3:4) a content list with available remote media content according to the received presence service notification, and presents (3:5) information from said content list on what media content is available in the second local network, to a device (300c) in the first local network. Thereby, a user of a local device in the first local network can browse and select content from the content list for transfer from the second local network to the first local network.