Remote Control Server for IoT Network Segregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home networking environments with IoT devices face complexity in configuring secure network communications, especially with transient devices, leading to potential security breaches due to lack of intuitive tools and user skill, and existing solutions like DMZs may not meet all user requirements for remote control functionalities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system for automatic and intuitive network configuration and remote control, using a control device to manage guest devices in a separate logical subnetwork or VLAN, providing secure remote control interfaces without direct device pairing, and using visual codes for easy network joining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices are placed in a DMZ network with Internet access but no access to other network devices, then network security is improved, but remote control functionality between guest devices and other network devices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote control server as an intermediary component that operates within the trusted network. This server receives control requests from guest devices in the DMZ, validates them, and forwards appropriate commands to target devices. This mediator enables remote control functionality while maintaining network security boundaries, as the DMZ cannot directly access other network devices but can communicate control commands through the server.
2Reliability
If manual network reconfiguration is performed for each guest device, then security is improved, but user time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automation where the remote control server automatically detects when guest devices join the network, dynamically creates appropriate access control policies, and configures communication rules without requiring manual administrator intervention. This automated self-configuration maintains security best practices while eliminating the time burden and complexity of manual reconfiguration for each guest device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration by pre-establishing the remote control server infrastructure and security policies before guest devices arrive. When guest devices join, they automatically connect to the pre-configured DMZ network with pre-defined security rules and remote control capabilities already in place, eliminating the need for real-time manual configuration during device arrival.
3Ease of operation
If all devices are allowed unrestricted network access, then ease of operation is improved, but security risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different network zones with different access permissions. The DMZ network provides local access control where guest devices can only communicate with the remote control server, while the trusted network contains devices with full mutual access. This localized differentiation of access quality enables easy operation within each zone while maintaining security between zones through controlled communication paths.
Data Source
AI summary
In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for easy and intuitive control over network configurations and security for transient or guest devices, and remote control of additional devices, either directly in some implementations, or indirectly via a hosted interface by a control device in other implementations, eliminating the need for pairing or otherwise establishing communications between the guest devices and the additional devices. This may improve network security overall and particularly encourage segregation of untrusted devices, while still providing enhanced functionality and control over other network devices in a secure manner.