Virtual Gateway Controller for Home Network Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home networks face challenges in providing secure and efficient access to resources for visiting users, as existing residential gateways are complex, error-prone, and require manual software upgrades, leading to increased support costs and difficulties in configuring additional routers, which hide devices from upstream service providers, making it hard to offer services like quality of service and resource sharing.
Innovation Solution
A virtualized residential gateway architecture that defers complex processing to upstream service delivery platforms, allowing Internet service providers to manage network visibility and configuration through a virtual gateway controller, enabling seamless access to remote home network resources while maintaining security and quality of service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional routers are attached to form a home network hierarchy, then network functionality and resource sharing are improved, but device visibility to upstream service providers is lost and configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobility manager function as an intermediary between the home network routers and the upstream service provider's headend. This mediator maintains visibility of all devices in the home network hierarchy, enabling service providers to monitor and manage devices even when hidden behind multiple routing layers, thus resolving the visibility problem without limiting network functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network management functions by separating the mobility manager function from the traditional RGW device. This allows the complexity of managing hierarchical router topologies to be isolated in a dedicated network element, simplifying the overall system while maintaining full device visibility and control
2Ease of operation
If the RGW provides guest network access or direct access to visiting users, then access to the visited network is improved, but network security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating a dedicated second access point with specific configuration for remote home network access, separate from the main visited network access point. This allows different security policies and access controls to be applied locally to different access points, enabling secure guest access while maintaining overall network security
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication and configuration actions before allowing accessing devices to connect to remote home network resources. The mobility manager pre-configures the second access point and establishes authentication mechanisms in advance, ensuring security is maintained while enabling convenient access
3Object-affected harmful factors
If specialized software like VPN is used for remote access to home network resources, then security is improved, but ease of use and accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having the mobility manager automatically handle VPN tunnel establishment, authentication, and resource routing without requiring user intervention. The system performs these complex security operations autonomously, maintaining high security while providing seamless, easy access for users
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual software upgrades are required for RGW devices, then device functionality can be updated, but support costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility manager function serves as an intermediary that centralizes the software update management for RGW devices. Instead of manually upgrading each individual RGW, updates can be managed and distributed through the mobility manager, reducing support costs and operational complexity while maintaining update capability
Data Source
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AI summary
A method implemented by a network element of an Internet service provider to provide network access through a visited network associated with a visited network owner to a device of a visiting user connecting to the visited networker. The visited network owner is a customer of the Internet service provider. The network element configures the visited network to provide access to resources of a remote home network to the device of the visiting user. The remote home network is in communication with the visited network over a wide area network. Connecting to a virtual gateway controller of the remote home network to obtain configuration information to establish a connection between the device and the remote home network. Establishing a connection between the device of the visiting user and a second access point. Providing access to the resource of the remote home network through the second access point.