Service Network Selection via Preconfigured Criteria
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current DHCP protocols do not allow clients to proactively select their desired service network, leading to 'blind' IP address allocation that may not meet the client's requirements, especially when multiple service networks are available.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that store service network selection criteria in authenticators/proxies, allowing clients to specify conditions such as NAI, authentication mode, service provider, and SLA, enabling the selection of a service network that meets these requirements and allocates an IP address accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the DHCP server allocates IP addresses from all available service networks without client selection, then the IP address allocation process is simple and fast, but the client cannot select its desired service network and may receive an IP address that does not meet its requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring service network selection conditions in the DHCP server before client requests arrive. The server stores multiple service network configurations with their respective conditions (such as NAI, authentication mode, SLA requirements) in advance, enabling it to quickly match and forward client requests to the appropriate service network without complex real-time decision-making, thus resolving the contradiction between client adaptability and server complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the DHCP server forwards requests to multiple service networks to enable client selection, then the client can choose its desired service network, but the allocation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-configuring service network selection conditions and establishing a structured matching mechanism in the DHCP server. Service networks are registered with their specific conditions (NAI, authentication mode, SLA) beforehand, allowing the server to efficiently filter and forward client requests to the most suitable service network in a single pass rather than querying multiple networks, thus reducing time loss while maintaining client adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the service network selection process into distinct condition types (NAI matching, authentication mode matching, SLA matching). Each service network is evaluated against specific segmented conditions independently, allowing the DHCP server to systematically filter and identify the most appropriate service network without overwhelming complexity, thereby balancing client selection capability with efficient allocation time.
3Measurement precision
If the DHCP server implements comprehensive service network selection based on multiple conditions, then service matching precision is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by breaking down the complex service network selection into distinct, independent condition types: NAI matching, authentication mode matching, and SLA matching. Each condition is evaluated separately against service network configurations, allowing the DHCP server to achieve high matching precision through systematic filtering without requiring a monolithic complex system. This segmented approach enables modular processing of selection criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-configuring all service network selection conditions and criteria in the DHCP server before runtime. Service networks are registered with their specific NAI, authentication mode capabilities, and SLA parameters in advance, creating a ready-to-query configuration database. This preliminary setup enables the server to achieve high matching precision through efficient pattern matching rather than complex real-time analysis, reducing system complexity while maintaining precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to network communication technologies, and discloses a method, an apparatus, and a system for selecting a service network to improve network capabilities of serving the client. The method includes: receiving an address request message that carries service network selecting condition from a client or user; and judging whether preconfigured or stored service network configuration information meets the service network selecting condition, and forwarding the address request message to the service network that meets the service network selecting condition if the preconfigured or stored service network configuration information meets the condition. The apparatus includes: a message receiving and sending unit, a configuring unit, and a service network selecting unit. The embodiments of the present invention can select a service network for the client or user according to the requirements of the client or user, and improve the service capabilities of the network.