Remote Ethernet Configuration via Cellular Network Gateway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Terminal devices, such as mobile phones, lack factory-configured MAC addresses and cannot be directly configured by a remote LAN in a cellular telecommunications network, hindering their participation in Ethernet-based cloud or enterprise computing environments.
Innovation Solution
A network node and terminal device configuration system that uses a Network Exposure Function (NEF) to send Ethernet configuration messages via a radio interface, allowing for the setting or querying of MAC addresses and VLAN configurations without relying on the User Plane Function (UPF), enabling remote Ethernet configuration over a cellular network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If terminal devices use Ethernet protocol for data transfer over cellular network, then communication speed and simplicity between terminal device and remote computing network is improved, but the requirement for cellular network to handle Ethernet traffic increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between the cellular network and the remote computing network. This gateway handles Ethernet protocol conversion and MAC address assignment, allowing terminal devices to communicate using Ethernet protocols without requiring the cellular network infrastructure to directly handle Ethernet traffic, thus resolving the complexity issue while maintaining communication speed benefits
2Ease of operation
If terminal devices are factory-configured with MAC addresses, then ease of participation in LAN computing environment is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring a pool of MAC addresses in the gateway device before terminal devices connect. When a terminal device needs to participate in the LAN, the gateway automatically assigns a pre-prepared MAC address from this pool, eliminating the need for factory configuration while maintaining ease of LAN participation
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing terminal devices to automatically obtain MAC addresses through interaction with the gateway device upon connection. The gateway autonomously assigns MAC addresses without requiring manual configuration or factory pre-programming, simplifying both manufacturing and device deployment
3Manufacturing precision
If direct connection between remote LAN and terminal device is established for MAC address configuration, then configuration precision is improved, but network architecture complexity and direct connection requirement increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device serves as an intermediary that enables precise MAC address configuration without requiring direct physical connections between the remote LAN and terminal devices. The gateway receives configuration requests from the LAN, processes them, and delivers precise MAC address assignments to terminal devices through the cellular network, maintaining configuration precision while avoiding direct connection complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for remotely configuring Ethernet protocol functionality in a terminal device connected to a cellular communications network. One aspect provides a network node comprising a communications interface for communicating with the cellular communications network, a radio interface for communicating with a terminal device, and one or more processors. The network node is configured to receive, from the cellular communications network, a request to send an Ethernet configuration message to a terminal device connected to the cellular communications network, transmit the Ethernet configuration message to the terminal device and receive a response message from the terminal device.