Automated Network Equipment Configuration via SMS Identity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network equipment often requires manual configuration via SMS, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when they lack a valid IP address or do not have an interface to receive SMS messages, posing challenges in managing and configuring multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines the identity information of network equipment and sends configurations via SMS messages, using embedded or external cellular modems, allowing for automated configuration of settings such as APN, VPN connections, and other network parameters, even without a valid IP address.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual configuration via SMS is used for network equipment, then configuration capability is achieved, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The network equipment automatically sends a request SMS message containing its identity information (serial number) to the management application, and automatically receives and applies configuration parameters without requiring manual administrator intervention for each device
Solution Approach 2:
The management application stores configuration parameters in advance in a database, indexed by equipment identity information, so that when a request SMS is received, the pre-prepared configuration can be immediately retrieved and sent back without manual lookup or preparation
2Adaptability or versatility
If network equipment lacks a valid IP address or SMS interface, then device simplicity is maintained, but configurability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The management application acts as an intermediary system that receives requests from network equipment via SMS, retrieves appropriate configuration parameters from its database, and sends configuration SMS messages back to the equipment, enabling configurability without requiring the equipment itself to have complex configuration interfaces or IP addressing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The SMS message serves multiple functions: it acts as both the request carrier (containing equipment identity) and the configuration carrier (containing configuration parameters), allowing a single communication protocol to handle both identification and configuration tasks without requiring additional interfaces
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses methods and systems for configuring a second system. The system of the present invention determines at least one configuration and the identity information of the second system. The at least one configuration is then sent to the second system. The second system is configured with the at least one configuration. The at least one configuration can be sent through an SMS message, a USB modem plugged in the second system, or NFC. Additionally, the at least one configuration may comprise an APN. The at least one configuration may also be used to configure the second system to establish one or more VPN connections.