Switch Web Server for Home Network Cloud Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current home networks are not effectively integrated into the concept of 'the cloud', with users viewing the cloud as external, whereas they should be part of a distributed cloud paradigm, limiting secure access to personal content and efficient bandwidth usage.
Innovation Solution
A device with a switch interconnecting a broadband modem and a router, providing a web server accessible on both the local area network and the public Internet, allowing transparent traffic inspection and redirection for secure access to home-based content from anywhere, promoting a distributed cloud paradigm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional router and modem setup is used, then network connectivity is provided, but secure access to home-based content from outside the network is limited and requires complex firewall configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server positioned between the router and the home network devices that acts as an intermediary. This server receives requests from external networks, inspects them, and forwards appropriate requests to the home network while blocking unauthorized access. This intermediary layer simplifies external access to home content by providing a controlled entry point without requiring complex firewall configurations on individual devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The server automatically inspects and routes traffic based on predefined rules and content type, eliminating the need for users to manually configure firewalls or security settings. The system self-manages the security and access control functions, making the network easier to operate while maintaining secure access to home-based content.
2Productivity
If all home networks are integrated into the cloud paradigm, then bandwidth efficiency and content sharing are improved, but network security and control become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network control functions by separating the server's role from the router's role. The server handles content inspection, routing decisions, and cloud integration, while the router maintains its traditional function of network address translation and basic connectivity. This segmentation allows home networks to participate in the cloud paradigm for improved bandwidth efficiency while keeping network control manageable through clear functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary layer between the home network and the broader cloud infrastructure, enabling cloud-like content sharing and bandwidth efficiency without requiring direct integration that would complicate network control. The server manages all external communications and cloud interactions, shielding the home network from complex cloud management while still providing cloud-like functionality.
3Reliability
If a server inspects all traffic between router and home network, then secure access and content control are improved, but processing overhead and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The server applies different levels of inspection and processing to different types of traffic based on their security requirements and content type. Critical or sensitive traffic receives thorough inspection, while routine or trusted traffic receives minimal processing. This localized quality approach maintains secure access for important communications while reducing processing overhead and latency for standard traffic flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The server establishes security rules, content filters, and routing preferences in advance before traffic needs to be inspected. By pre-configuring security policies and content type classifications, the server can make rapid routing decisions without performing complex real-time analysis on every packet, thereby maintaining secure access while minimizing inspection delays.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a first interface of a switch interconnects with a broadband modem within a wide area network (WAN), while a second interface of the switch interconnects with a WAN interface of a router, where the router provides a gateway between the WAN and a local area network (LAN). Additionally, a web server is provided at the switch, where the web server is reachable to the WAN on the first interface and to the LAN on the second interface. The switch may then inspect traffic received at the first and second interfaces, and determines, based on inspecting, whether to transparently forward the traffic between the first and second interfaces or to redirect the traffic to the web server.