Proxy Connection Device for Network Slice Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for secure data exchange in industrial contexts, such as those involving digital twins, do not adequately address the complexity of interconnecting security gateways with terminals, particularly in the network management and control planes, which is crucial for reliable data modeling and secure data transfer.
Innovation Solution
A method for configuring terminal devices to connect to communication network slices using a proxy connection device that aggregates data and manages metadata, allowing for efficient routing and secure data transfer by simplifying the identification and management of connection devices, and enabling dynamic updates to the network infrastructure without affecting terminal devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple connection devices are used for secure data exchange between terminal devices and service devices, then data security and reliability are improved, but the complexity of interconnection and configuration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy connection device as an intermediary between terminal devices and service devices. This proxy device consolidates multiple connection device identifiers into a single interface, allowing terminal devices to communicate securely through one simplified endpoint while the proxy manages the underlying complex multi-device architecture, thus maintaining security without exposing configuration complexity to end users
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the system into three distinct layers: terminal devices, proxy connection devices, and service devices. The proxy connection device layer acts as an intermediate management plane that handles the complexity of multiple connection devices, while terminal and service devices operate with simplified single-identifier interfaces. This segmentation isolates complexity within the proxy layer without affecting other components
2Measurement precision
If security gateways are interconnected in the network management and control planes for reliable data modeling, then digital twin accuracy is improved, but the configuration and management operations become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy connection device automatically performs configuration management functions including storing and managing multiple connection device identifiers, routing data packets through appropriate devices, and maintaining the mapping between terminal devices and service devices. This automation eliminates the need for manual configuration of each security gateway connection, reducing operational complexity while maintaining accurate digital twin modeling
Solution Approach 2:
The proxy connection device serves as an intermediary management entity that handles all configuration and management operations between terminal devices and service devices. It maintains the network context data and routing information needed for accurate digital twin modeling, while presenting a simplified interface that does not require complex configuration management by end users
3Productivity
If a proxy connection device aggregates data from multiple connection devices, then data aggregation and routing efficiency are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy connection device merges multiple connection device identifiers and their associated routing logic into a single consolidated device. It aggregates data from multiple connection devices and routes packets efficiently based on stored routing information, improving productivity by eliminating the need for terminal devices to manage multiple individual connections while the underlying complexity is contained within the proxy device itself
Data Source
AI summary
Partners in an entity increasingly need to obtain information about data relating to communications of a terminal. A configuration method and a configuration device configure a terminal device able to be connected to a slice of a communication network. The slice is instantiated so as to route data between the terminal device and a service device in accordance with at least one routing criterion. The method is implemented by management equipment for managing the terminal device and able to communicate with the terminal device. The method includes storing a configuration context of the terminal device in memory, and transmitting, to the terminal device, a configuration message including the identifier of a proxy connection device and the identifier of the network slice.