Virtual Edge Gateway for IoT Maintenance Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintenance of edge gateway nodes in IoT communication networks disrupts service, as existing solutions require costly redundant hardware or fail to provide continuous connectivity for devices incapable of accessing the cloud environment without the gateway.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a virtual edge gateway node in the cloud environment that replicates the functionality of the maintenance node, using predictive models trained on data from second devices to ensure continuous service during maintenance, and configuring first devices to connect to this virtual node.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant hardware is provided for each edge gateway node to ensure continuous service during maintenance, then service reliability is improved, but hardware cost and device complexity increase prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy (virtual edge gateway node) of the physical edge gateway node in the cloud environment. This virtual node replicates the functionality and data processing capabilities of the physical node, allowing service continuity during maintenance without requiring duplicate physical hardware. The virtual node can be rapidly deployed and activated to take over service when the physical node undergoes maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single physical dimension of hardware redundancy to a multi-dimensional solution combining physical edge gateway nodes with virtual cloud-based nodes. This allows service continuity to be achieved through virtualization and cloud computing resources rather than physical duplication, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If edge gateway node maintenance is performed, then device reliability is improved through updates and repairs, but service disruption occurs for devices incapable of direct cloud connection
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual edge gateway node acts as an intermediary between second devices (incapable of direct cloud connection) and the cloud environment during maintenance. It receives data from second devices, processes it locally, and forwards it to the cloud, ensuring continuous data transmission while the physical edge gateway node undergoes maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual edge gateway node is pre-configured with the necessary processing capabilities and data handling functions before the physical node requires maintenance. This preliminary setup ensures that when maintenance begins, the virtual node can immediately take over service without interruption to data transmission from second devices.
3Device complexity
If complete service outage is accepted during maintenance, then hardware cost is reduced, but service level agreements are violated and data quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a virtual copy of the edge gateway node in the cloud, the system maintains service level agreement compliance during maintenance without requiring expensive redundant physical hardware. The virtual node provides sufficient functionality to meet service requirements while reducing infrastructure complexity and cost.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to maintenance of nodes in a communication network. One embodiment provides a method in a network node for mitigating disruption 5 during maintenance of an edge gateway node of a communication network. The edge gateway node connects a plurality of devices to one or more services of the communication network. The plurality of devices comprises one or more first devices which are capable of connecting to a cloud environment of the communication network in the absence of the edge gateway node, and one or more second devices which are 10 incapable of connecting to the cloud environment in the absence of the edge gateway node. The method comprises: establishing respective virtual devices for the one or more second devices, the virtual devices comprising predictive models trained to replicate data output by the respective one or more second devices; and, during a time interval in which the maintenance of the edge gateway node is performed: configuring the one or more 15 virtual devices to connect to a virtual edge gateway node established in the cloud environment; and configuring at least one of the one or more first devices to connect to the virtual edge gateway node.