URL-Based Secure Device Commissioning in Home Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing commissioning techniques for devices joining wireless networks lack efficiency in ensuring secure and accurate device authentication, especially across multi-vendor networks, leading to potential security breaches and user experience issues.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using Application Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) to secure return communication by generating an Augmented Responder Access URL, allowing an initiator device to obtain a Responder Payload from a responder device, which enables secure commissioning of a joiner device to a home area network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional commissioning techniques are used for device authentication, then the commissioning process is simpler, but security is compromised and vulnerability to man-in-the-middle attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a URL-based intermediary mechanism that mediates between the initiator and responder devices. The Responder Access URL and Initiator Response URL act as secure intermediaries, allowing authentication data to be exchanged without direct exposure of credentials. This mediator approach enhances security while maintaining a relatively simple commissioning flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring devices with authentication credentials and pre-establishing the URL structure before commissioning begins. The responder publishes its Responder Access URL in advance, and the initiator prepares the authentication payload beforehand, enabling secure authentication without complex runtime negotiations.
2Reliability
If credentials are commissioned into devices during network joining, then device identity authentication is enabled, but the accuracy of joining to the correct network and security of credential injection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The URL structure serves as a secure intermediary that protects credential injection. The Responder Access URL and Initiator Response URL encapsulate authentication data, preventing direct exposure of credentials during the commissioning process. This intermediary mechanism ensures accurate network joining while protecting against security breaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation of credentials from direct credential injection to URL-encoded authentication data. By transforming credentials into URL parameters within the Responder Access URL and Initiator Response URL, the system maintains authentication accuracy while improving the security of credential injection through parameter encapsulation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cross-vendor networking solutions are implemented, then network compatibility is improved, but the security of commissioning communications across multi-vendor networks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The URL-based authentication mechanism provides universality by working across different vendor implementations. The Responder Access URL and Initiator Response URL follow a standardized structure that can be implemented by any vendor, ensuring network compatibility while maintaining consistent security requirements across all implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to standardize authentication data representation across vendors. By encoding authentication information in URL parameters with a standardized format, the system achieves both cross-vendor compatibility and consistent security, as all vendors must adhere to the same parameter structure and authentication flow.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and devices for securing return communication through application uniform resource locators are described for commissioning a joiner device to a home area network by an initiator device in which the initiator device obtains a Responder Access Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and using the obtained Responder Access URL, generates an Augmented Responder Access URL. The initiator device accesses the Augmented Responder Access URL at a responder, which causes the responder to generate a Responder Payload. The initiator device accesses an Augmented Initiator Response URL including the generated Responder Payload and recovers the Responder Payload, the recovery of the Responder Payload causing the initiator device to commission the joiner device to the home area network.