Smartphone Gateway Tunneling for Private Network Device Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices within private networks are not visible or reachable from outside networks, making central management services difficult, especially when proprietary technology is unavailable.
Innovation Solution
A gateway device, such as a smartphone, connects to both the private network and a public network, acting as a proxy to enable communication between management services and private network devices using a WebSocket Secure tunnel and virtual IP addressing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices are placed in private networks behind firewalls, then network security and device isolation are improved, but device visibility and reachability from external management services deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary that sits between the private network and external management services. The gateway establishes outgoing connections to management servers, allowing devices in the private network to be managed without external connections penetrating the firewall. This mediator enables communication while maintaining the firewall barrier.
2Ease of operation
If proprietary management firmware is used, then device management capability is improved, but device compatibility and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal management solution where the gateway device can manage multiple types of devices regardless of their proprietary firmware. By using standard communication protocols and the gateway's ability to relay commands, the system achieves multi-functionality across different device types without requiring each device to have specialized management capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If target machines initiate connections through gateways, then firewall penetration and communication capability are improved, but system complexity and connection establishment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing outgoing connections to management servers before devices need to communicate. This advance connection setup eliminates the need for complex real-time connection establishment through firewalls, as the communication path is already in place and devices can use these pre-configured channels.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method includes establishing a local connection to a local private network via a gateway device. A connection is established between the gateway device and a management service in a remote network. A private network target device is discovered on the local private network and information identifying the private network device is provided to the management service. Communications are transferred between the management service and the private network target device via the gateway device over the connection.