Smart Router Automatic VPN Tunnel Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanisms for establishing electronic communication between business locations are expensive and require specialized IT knowledge, particularly for setting up VPN functions and configuring new routers, which often necessitate technician intervention.
Innovation Solution
A smart router system that operates automatically, allowing for the creation of VPN tunnels between routers provisioned under the same account, eliminating the need for manual configuration and technician intervention by using carrier servers to manage connections and IP addressing dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional VPN mechanisms are used to establish electronic communication between business locations, then secure communication is achieved, but the system requires specialized IT knowledge and technician intervention for setup and configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The router automatically performs VPN configuration tasks without requiring technician intervention. When a new router is added to the network, it autonomously discovers other routers, negotiates VPN parameters, and establishes secure tunnels using pre-shared keys generated and distributed by the carrier system.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier system acts as an intermediary that pre-configures VPN parameters and distributes them to routers. The carrier system generates pre-shared keys and pushes configuration data to routers, eliminating the need for manual configuration by IT specialists.
2Reliability
If conventional VPN mechanisms are used with manual configuration, then secure communication is established, but the process is expensive and time-consuming requiring technician intervention
Solution Approach 1:
VPN configuration parameters including pre-shared keys and tunnel settings are pre-configured by the carrier system before the router is deployed. When the router is activated, it automatically receives and applies these pre-configured parameters, eliminating the need for on-site technician configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The router autonomously completes the VPN setup process by automatically discovering other networked routers, negotiating connections using pre-configured parameters, and establishing secure tunnels without requiring technician time or expertise.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mechanisms are used for adding new routers, then network connectivity is achieved, but every new router requires technician configuration to establish visibility and communication with existing equipment
Solution Approach 1:
When a new router is added to the network, it automatically discovers existing routers through carrier-mediated communication, receives appropriate configuration parameters, and establishes VPN tunnels autonomously. The router self-configures to communicate with all other routers in the network without technician intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic discovery and configuration feedback loops where the new router communicates with the carrier system and existing routers to negotiate and establish connections. The carrier system monitors and facilitates the automatic configuration process based on network state feedback.
4Ease of operation
If carrier-mediated automatic configuration is implemented, then ease of setup is improved and technician intervention is eliminated, but the system requires carrier server infrastructure and automated provisioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier system serves as a centralized intermediary that manages VPN parameter distribution, router discovery coordination, and configuration provisioning. This centralized approach simplifies individual router operations while consolidating complexity in the carrier infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier system provides multiple functions including authentication, key distribution, router discovery coordination, and configuration management through a unified platform. This multi-functional approach consolidates infrastructure requirements while enabling automatic router configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, storing, in a database, subscriber information associated with a plurality of subscribers of a wireless carrier, the subscriber information comprising first subscriber information associated with a first subscriber of the wireless carrier, the first subscriber information comprising first configuration data for a first router of the first subscriber, the first router being located at a first physical location; wirelessly receiving from a second router of the first subscriber, via a wireless service of the wireless carrier, a first registration request made by the second router, the second router being located at a second physical location; responsive to receiving the first registration request, generating first provisioning information, the first provisioning information being based at least in part upon the first configuration data for the first router that is stored in the database; and wirelessly sending to the second router, via the wireless service of the wireless carrier, the first provisioning information, the first provisioning information enabling the first router and the second router to communicate with one another via the wireless service through a first tunnel mechanism. Other embodiments are disclosed.