Virtual UPnP Node Gateway for Secure Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UPnP systems lack support for both mobility and security, particularly in scenarios where devices and control points move between IP networks, as existing mobility support architectures do not consider security aspects.
Innovation Solution
A gateway system that creates virtual UPnP nodes for remote devices and control points, enabling them to connect securely to the network by forwarding messages and storing security information, such as ACLs and certificates, to authenticate and authorize interactions within the UPnP network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mobility support is added to UPnP systems to allow devices to move between IP networks, then adaptability is improved, but security is worsened because existing mobility architectures do not consider security aspects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary component that mediates between mobile UPnP devices and the UPnP network. The gateway creates virtual UPnP nodes for remote devices, forwards messages between them, and stores security information including ACLs and certificates. This intermediary approach enables mobility while maintaining security by centralizing security management and authentication processes.
2Reliability
If security protocols are enforced for mobile UPnP nodes, then security is improved, but message traffic increases due to authentication and authorization overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring security information including ACLs (Access Control Lists) and certificates in the virtual UPnP nodes before mobile devices attempt to access the network. The gateway stores these security credentials in advance, so when a mobile device connects, authentication and authorization can proceed efficiently without generating excessive message traffic during the actual access operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual UPnP nodes are created for remote devices, then mobility support is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional security management components
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway is designed as a universal multi-functional component that handles multiple tasks: creating virtual UPnP nodes, forwarding messages, storing security information, managing ACLs, and validating certificates. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single gateway entity, the patent avoids distributing complex security management logic across multiple components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining mobility support.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a nodes and methods for use in a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) system (201) to provide support for both UPnP security and mobility of security aware UPnP nodes. A gateway (20) is arranged to provide remote access to a UPnP network (10) to remote UPnP nodes (24, 25) via the gateway. The gateway comprises means (26) for creating a virtual UPnP node (24a, 25a) for emulating internal presence of a remote UPnP node on the UPnP network. The virtual UPnP node is arranged to obtain and store security information associated with the remote UPnP node. The securit y informatio n specifies how the remote UPnP node is authorized to interact with other UPnP nodes in the UPnP network. The security information may be used to filter messages from the UPnP network to the remote UPnP node.