Wireless Device Dynamic IP Configuration for Non-DHCP Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for techniques to dynamically configure Internet Protocol (IP) for terminal equipment attached to a wireless device in wireless networks that do not directly support Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), as many wireless networks lack DHCP support, preventing terminal equipment from obtaining necessary IP configuration for communication.
Innovation Solution
The wireless device acts as both a DHCP server and router, obtaining IP configuration from the wireless network and providing it to the terminal equipment, including host IP address, router IP address, and subnet mask, allowing the terminal equipment to communicate as if in a LAN environment, even in a wireless network without DHCP support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If terminal equipment uses DHCP to obtain IP configuration in a wireless network, then IP connectivity is established, but the wireless network must support DHCP which is not the case for many deployed wireless networks
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless device acts as an intermediary between the terminal equipment and the wireless network. It obtains IP configuration from the wireless network (which does not support DHCP) and provides this configuration to the terminal equipment, enabling IP connectivity without requiring the wireless network to support DHCP directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless device performs self-service by autonomously obtaining IP configuration from the wireless network and automatically providing it to the terminal equipment. This eliminates the need for the terminal equipment to directly interact with the wireless network's configuration system.
2Reliability
If the wireless device obtains IP configuration from the wireless network and provides it to the terminal equipment, then IP connectivity is enabled for terminal equipment, but the wireless device must perform additional configuration tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless device performs multiple functions: it acts as a DHCP server for the terminal equipment, a router for IP packet forwarding, and a configuration manager. This multi-functionality enables IP connectivity while consolidating configuration tasks in a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless device autonomously obtains IP configuration from the wireless network and automatically provides it to the terminal equipment without requiring manual configuration. This automation reduces the operational complexity despite the additional configuration tasks performed by the wireless device.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for dynamically configuring IP and providing IP connectivity for a terminal equipment attached to a wireless device are described. The wireless device obtains from a wireless network a dynamically assigned IP address, an IP gateway's IP address, a subnet mask, or none or any combination thereof. Wireless device determines a host IP address (which may be the dynamically assigned IP address), a router IP address (which may be the gateway IP address or a spoofed IP address), a server IP address (which may be the router IP address), and a subnet mask (which may be obtained from the wireless network or spoofed by the wireless device). Wireless device, acting as a DHCP server, provides IP configuration for the terminal equipment, acting as a DHCP client. Wireless device thereafter forwards IP packets exchanged between the terminal equipment and wireless network and processes DHCP packets from the terminal equipment.