The application is divisional application, entitled " method and system for remote device management " of female case, ShenIt please day be on November 23rd, 2009, application No. is 200910258474.5.
Summary of the invention
In D1：US2007/011301 discloses a kind of client device（CPE）Comprising storage unit, communication unitMember and processing unit.Storage unit stores and retrieves multiple network address, and multiple network address includes and default serverCorresponding default server network address.Communication unit can be sent a message to by communication network multiple servers and fromMultiple server receives message.Each server is specified by unique network address.Processing unit determines configuration serviceDevice network address whether there is in storage unit.If configuration server network address is not present in CPE, list is handledMember retrieves default server network address from storage unit, and passes through communication unit for configuration server network address request messageIt is sent to the default server of request configuration server network address.This method is different from of the invention, in the present invention,Automatic Configuration Server management equipment（ACSMD）It is the medium between ACS and CPE, and is arranged for controlling the visit to ACSIt asks.
According to D1, each server is specified by unique server address.This is no longer needed in our invention,In our invention, the individual address for Servers-all can be used.Server selection is in each communication, each CPEOn the basis of complete, and can be based on the various information that are stored in one or more databases in a network, thisOr multiple databases are coupled to medium ACSMD.
It is between the present invention and D1 another difference is that：ACSMD of the invention is not configuration server, does not also send and matchesData are set to CPE.It is redirected instead of sending（Prior art http）Message to CPE, the present invention but message is relayed（relay）To the suitable ACS about the standard being stored in one or more databases.CPE itself is stateless.It is taken from defaultThe reference of business device（referral）It is completed for each request（With processing described in D1 on the contrary, and pacifyingIt is not needed in terms of total exchange, etc.）, and be stored in the memory of CPE unlike as described in the abstract of D1.
The object of the present invention is to provide a kind of methods overcome or reduce problem of the prior art.
One side according to the present invention provides a kind of included in network（WAN）In the system for remote device management,Including：Automatic Configuration Server management equipment（ACSMD）, at least one database and multiple Automatic Configuration Servers（ACS）；The Automatic Configuration Server management equipment and at least one described database are to communicate to connect coupling；Described at least oneA database is arranged for saving the identification information of electronic equipment；
Automatic Configuration Server management equipment（ACSMD）Be arranged for by network and manageable electronic device and withMultiple ACS are communicated, and ACSMD is medium between ACS and CPE and is arranged for controlling the access to ACS, can be managedReason electronic equipment can be sent for configuration data（M1）Request,
Automatic Configuration Server management equipment（ACSMD）Further it is arranged for：
The request for configuration data is received from manageable electronic device（M1）,
Electricity can be managed by comparing the identification information of the request and the electronic equipment of at least one database to determineThe mark of sub- equipment,
The Automatic Configuration Server from multiple Automatic Configuration Servers is determined according to the mark of manageable electronic deviceMark.
Advantageously, this method allows in any given position and in any grade of service or group specification（groupspecification）Interior, any kind of manageable electronic device is configured, without being pre-configured to configure speciallyUse address.Which specific Automatic Configuration Server will be this method will determine（ACS）It is available for given manageable electronic device, allow to reduce the pre-installation of equipment and the complexity of installation.In addition, this method allows simpler mode dedicated to establishAutomatic Configuration Server, because the address of Automatic Configuration Server only needs to be maintained in central database.
In addition, a possibility that present invention allows by reselecting routing as defined in the present invention separates access netNetwork and provider server.
According to one aspect of the present invention, it provides a kind of for network（WAN）In manageable electronic device remotely setThe method of standby management, the network include Automatic Configuration Server management equipment, at least one database and multiple automatically configureServer（ACS）；The Automatic Configuration Server management equipment and at least one described database are to communicate to connect coupling；InstituteAt least one database is stated to be arranged for saving the identification information of electronic equipment；Automatic Configuration Server management equipment is setFor being communicated by network with manageable electronic device and with multiple ACS, and ACSMD is the matchmaker between ACS and CPEIt is situated between, and is arranged for the access that ACS is arrived in control, manageable electronic device can sends the request for configuration data（M1）,
Wherein this method includes：
Receive the request for configuration data（M1）,
Being determined compared with the identification information of the electronic equipment of at least one database using the request can manageThe mark of electronic equipment,
The Automatic Configuration Server from multiple Automatic Configuration Servers is determined according to the mark of manageable electronic deviceMark.
Moreover, the present invention relates to a kind of computer system for remote device management, computer include processing unit andMemory, memory are connected to processing unit, and computer is set in a network, the network include at least one database andMultiple Automatic Configuration Servers；The computer and at least one described database are to communicate to connect coupling；It is described at least oneDatabase is arranged for saving the identification information of electronic equipment；Wherein computer is arranged for through network and can manage electricityIt sub- equipment and is communicated with multiple ACS, and wherein computer is the medium between ACS and CPE, and is arranged for controllingTo the access of ACS, and wherein, computer is arranged for,
The request for configuration data is received from manageable electronic device（M1）,
Electricity can be managed by comparing the identification information of the request and the electronic equipment of at least one database to determineThe mark of sub- equipment,
Service is automatically configured from multiple Automatic Configuration Servers according to the mark of manageable electronic device to determineThe mark of device.
Moreover, it relates to it is a kind of on a computer-readable medium, the computer program that will be loaded by computer, shouldComputer includes processing unit and memory, and processing unit is connected to memory, and computer is set in a network, the network packetInclude at least one database and multiple Automatic Configuration Servers；The computer and at least one described database are with communication linkConnect coupling；At least one described database is arranged for saving the identification information of electronic equipment；Wherein use is set in computerIt is communicated in by network with manageable electronic device and with multiple ACS, and computer is the medium between ACS and CPE,And it is arranged for the access that ACS is arrived in control, manageable electronic device can send the request for configuration data, and whereinComputer program product allows processing unit to execute after being loaded：
The request for configuration data is received from manageable electronic device（M1）,
Electricity can be managed by comparing the identification information of the request and the electronic equipment of at least one database to determineThe mark of sub- equipment,
-- service is automatically configured from multiple Automatic Configuration Servers to determine according to the mark of manageable electronic deviceThe mark of device.
Specific embodiment
Fig. 1 schematically shows the end-to-end architecture for remote device management from the prior art.
The end-to-end architecture is related to the network topology for remote device management.Local network LAN passes through interface equipment 1It is coupled to wide area network WAN, which is typically manageable electronic device.Local network LAN may include and interface equipment1 one or more electronic equipments 2,3,4 in communication connection.One or more of electronic equipment 2,3,4 is also possible to canManage electronic equipment.
Local network LAN can be home network or intraoffice network, that is, be located at the network of specific geographic position.Local area networkLAN is also possible to logical network, is distributed on multiple geographical locations.
Wide area network WAN provides the connection of multiple interface equipments into wide area.For example, wide area network is to be known as internetGlobal network layout.
In local network LAN and wide area network WAN, electronic equipment is arranged to have on corresponding network for markAddress（I.e. communication is based on address）.Well known address scheme is Internet Protocol address system, is coupled to networkEach electronic equipment provides so-called IP address.It is in the art that electronic equipment, which is obtained for the method for the IP address of mark,Know.
That be coupled to wide area network is at least one first Automatic Configuration Server ACS1 comprising is used for such as local area networkThe configuration data of the specific manageable electronic device of interface equipment 1 in LAN.Second Automatic Configuration Server ACS2 is illustrated as wrappingInclude another specific manageable electronic device for the manageable electronic device 2 in such as local network LAN.
Configuration data for Automatic Configuration Server ACS1 or ACS2 is from some supply systems（P1,P2,P3；P4,P5,P6）Transmission, it can be related to that equipment is specific, the grade of service is specific, and/or the specific configuration data of client.
Both first and second Automatic Configuration Server ACS1, ACS2 are connected to by interface equipment 1 via wide area network WANLocal network LAN（It is schematically illustrated by corresponding dotted arrow line）, interface equipment 1 can be so-called router.
In method according to prior art, manageable electronic device requests configuration number from Special Automatic configuration serverAccording to, such as the initialization for the grade of service that can be used for manageable electronic device after mounting or as during operationIt updates.It that case, manageable electronic device needs that electricity can be managed from being exclusively used in the grade of service or be exclusively used in the typeThe specific Automatic Configuration Server of sub- equipment requests configuration data.Therefore, before contacting Automatic Configuration Server, electricity can be managedSub- equipment necessary " known " is specific（IP）Address or URL.The request will be processed in a known manner.Manageable electronic device is sentIt requests to the address of Automatic Configuration Server.Automatic Configuration Server sends responses to manageable electronic device, wherein the responseInclude requested data.In this case, in a local network install before, it is necessary to for the equipment be pre-configured particular address orURL may rely on one selected from at least grade of service, device type, access network type and/or client's special parameterA or multiple parameters.To which pre-configuration can be compound.
Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the architecture for remote device management according to embodiment.
In Fig. 2, has and be related to corresponding entity with the entity of the identical appended drawing reference shown in the drawings of front.
In wide area network WAN, which includes DSL couple in multiplexer（DSLAM）, domain name server (DNS), match automaticallySet server manager 25, database 26,27,28, multiple Automatic Configuration Server ACS1, ACS2, ACS3.
DSL couple in multiplexer（DSLAM）It is communicably coupled to domain name server (DNS).Domain name server (DNS) is communicatively coupledTo Automatic Configuration Server manager 25.
Automatic Configuration Server manager 25 is configured for control for Automatic Configuration Server ACS1, ACS2, ACS3Access, as indicated by the dotted lines.The embodiment of Automatic Configuration Server manager 25 is described below with reference to Fig. 6.（Automatically configure clothesBusiness device manager 25）Access control function will be described in greater detail below.
Automatic Configuration Server manager 25 is communicably coupled to database 26,27,28 for receiving information signal26A,27A,28A.Database can be located in one or more database servers, can away from each other, such as this field skillAs art personnel are known.Database 26,27,28 and information signal 26A, 27A, 28A will be described in greater detail below.
In one embodiment, architecture further comprises SADM（Service Activation equipment manager）, provide to allSuch as the interface of the service provider of ISP, CPE manufacturer, for access in a uniform manner Automatic Configuration Server ACS1,ACS2、ACS3。
Interface equipment 1（Such as router）Local network LAN is connected to wide area network WAN by connection equipment 15.Very muchIn situation, which will use Digital Subscriber Line（DSL）Technology realizes, but in the present invention, other can be logical based on IPThe optional signal vehicle of letter, such as optical fiber（Such as fiber to the home, Fiber To The Curb）,（It is one or more）Cable TV network, electricityThe line of force or wireless ring（Such as UMTS）, it is also considered as applicable.In the case where DSL technology, interface equipment 1 is coupled to DSLCouple in multiplexer（DSLAM）, establish interface equipment 1（And local network LAN）With WAN network interchanger（It is not shown）Between companyIt connects.
In wide area network WAN, domain name server (DNS) is arranged for solving in local network LAN（It can manage）ElectricitySub- equipment（Or any electronic equipment in wide area network）Domain name request.
Fig. 3 a shows the flow chart 100 of the embodiment of method according to the present invention.
Manageable electronic device in local network LAN requests configuration data from Special Automatic configuration server, for example, interfaceEquipment 1 requests configuration data for Automatic Configuration Server ACS1.
In the present invention,（IP）Address or URL are provided to be used as in the memory of manageable electronic device 1 and automatically configureThe default address of server A CS1, the default（IP）Address or URL are actually pointed to Automatic Configuration Server manager 25.
The manageable electronic device 1 just made requests sends its request and gives wide area network WAN.If the request includes matching automaticallyThe IP address of server manager is set, then DSLAM just sends the request to the network switch（It is not shown）, can be by the requestIt is relayed to Automatic Configuration Server manager（As known in the art）.In the optional situation that the request includes URL,DSLAM sends the request to domain name server (DNS), which is IP address by the address resolution of the request.Based on IP address,The request can be relayed by the network switch.Optionally, IANA（Internet address coding assignment mechanism）Defined in, for settingThe port of standby management application can be used for intercepting independently of the IP address for issuing the request（intercept）The request.
In the first movement 101, Automatic Configuration Server manager receives the request from manageable electronic device 1.Allusion quotationType, the request include the IP address of manageable electronic device 1 and about the type of manageable electronic device 1 or the letter of functionBreath.Selectively, which may include the information of the manufacturer or supplier about manageable electronic device.
In the second movement 102, Automatic Configuration Server manager 25 by received manageable electronic device IPLocation and first database 26（Or IP address database）It is compared, the first database 26（Or IP address database）Including closingIn the IP address information of following IP address, the IP address is for allowing to access Automatic Configuration Server manager 25（Service）For be effective.It can directly do this or by using the tie-in line for communication line to be linked to client（OrSIM card in the case where wireless access）One group of additional conversion of mark do this.
Next, Automatic Configuration Server manager 25 checks in movement 103（Represented by information signal 26A）InstituteWhether received IP address is effective address in first database 26.If matching is successfully, method proceeds to movementIn 104, otherwise method is proceeded in movement 108, terminates this method.
In movement 108, Automatic Configuration Server manager 25, which can optionally be sent a message to, issues managing for requestElectronic equipment is managed, which is：There is no server to be available.After movement 108, this method terminates in movement 107.
In movement 104, Automatic Configuration Server manager 25 is parsed by the second database 27 from the IP address（Pass throughInformation signal 27A）The identity of service provider（identity）ISPID, second database 27 include by service provider'sIdentity ISPID information associated with the IP address of manageable electronic device.
In next movement 105, Automatic Configuration Server manager 25 passes through third database 28 from service providerIdentity ISPID and the parsing of at least one of the received IP address of manageable electronic device 1（Pass through information signal28A）The IP address ACSID of Special Automatic configuration server, the third database 28 include by Special Automatic configuration serverThe associated letter of at least one of IP address and the IP address of the identity ISPID of service provider and manageable electronic deviceBreath.Advantageously, according at least one of the identity ISPID of service provider and IP address of manageable electronic device, certainlyDynamic configuration server manager 25 can select identity for Special Automatic configuration server relevant to reservation service gradeACSID.Typically, identity ACSID includes the IP address or URL of corresponding Automatic Configuration Server ACS1, ACS2, ACS3.
Then in further movement 106, Automatic Configuration Server manager 25 is Special Automatic configuration serverIdentity ACSID is sent to requesting manageable electronic device 1.For example, redirection mechanism can be used in the transmission（redirection mechanism）Comprising for manageable electronic device 1, the request retransmission is identified to ACSIDSpecial Automatic configuration server instruction.In one embodiment, redirection mechanism is based on hypertext transfer protocol（HTTP）Redirection function.
In movement 107, method terminates.
In the alternative embodiment shown in fig 3b, optional movement 106a（Replacement as movement 106）It provides：Automatically matchSet server manager 25 with mediate and from issue request manageable electronic device 1 request be relayed to such as byThe Special Automatic configuration server of ACSID mark receives the response from Special Automatic configuration server, and the response is sentTo manageable electronic device 1.
First, second and the information of third database 26,27,28 can pass through the service of DSL network and/or DSLAMProvider provides.
Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the signal stream according to embodiment.
In Fig. 4, manageable electronic device is indicated by line CPE, and Automatic Configuration Server manager 25 is by Article 2 line AMIt indicates, and Special Automatic configuration server is indicated by Article 3 line ACS1.Time, t was expressed in a downward direction.
At time t0, manageable electronic device CPE;1 sends first message M1 to as Special Automatic configuration serverAddress, default ip address or URL provided in the memory of manageable electronic device 1, the default（IP）Address or URLIt is directed toward Automatic Configuration Server manager 25.First message includes for the configuration data from Special Automatic configuration serverRequest.Further, first message M1 includes at least the IP of the manageable electronic device as mark on wide area network WANLocation（Or URL）, the function of manageable electronic device or the mark of type and optional additional identification, such as the confession of the equipmentAnswer quotient/manufacturer identity.
First message M1 is automatically configured the reception of server manager 25.Automatic Configuration Server manager 25 executes above-mentionedWith reference to the movement 101-107 of the method for Fig. 3, and second message M2 is sent to manageable electronic device CPE; 1.
Second message M2 includes that can be negative（After movement 108）Or certainly（After movement 106）AnswerIt answers.In the case where second message M2 is affirmative, second message M2 includes the Special Automatic configuration server identified by ACSIDIP address or URL.
Next, manageable electronic device CPE;1 repeating transmission send third message M3 Special Automatic to being identified with ACSIDThe associated IP address of configuration server ACS1 or URL.Third message M3 includes at least dedicated for being identified from ACSIDThe request of the configuration data of Automatic Configuration Server.
Special Automatic configuration server ACS1 receives third message M3, and sends the 4th message M4 in response to can manageElectronic equipment CPE; 1.4th message M4 includes the configuration data requested by manageable electronic device.Manageable electronic device connectsThe 4th message is received, and is used for any configuration purpose as described above using the configuration data in the 4th message.
Fig. 5 shows the further signal stream according to alternative embodiment.
In Fig. 5, manageable electronic device is indicated by line CPE, and Automatic Configuration Server manager 25 is by Article 2 line AMIt indicates, and Special Automatic configuration server is indicated by Article 3 line ACS1.Time, t was expressed in a downward direction.
At time t0, manageable electronic device CPE;1 sends first message M1 to as Special Automatic configuration serverAddress, default ip address or URL provided in the memory of manageable electronic device 1, should（IP）Address or URL are directed towardAutomatic Configuration Server manager 25.First message includes asking for the configuration data from Special Automatic configuration serverIt asks.Further, first message M1 includes at least the IP address of the manageable electronic device as mark on a wide area network（OrURL）, the function of manageable electronic device or the mark of type and optional additional identification, such as the equipment supplier/The identity of manufacturer.
First message M1 is automatically configured the reception of server manager 25.Automatic Configuration Server manager 25 executes above-mentionedThe movement 101-105 of method, to identify Special Automatic configuration server and subsequent optional movement 106a, wherein automatically configuringServer manager 25 is with mediating, and if first message M1 includes effectively request, in the message M5 the first relayingAfter to such as by the Special Automatic configuration server of ACSID mark.The message M5 of first relaying is included at least from sending requestThe request of manageable electronic device 1.
If should be noted that first message M1 includes invalid request, Automatic Configuration Server manager 25 canTo send the response for negating to manageable electronic device with the similar fashion as described in reference to Fig. 3 a, and cancel this method movementFurther execute.
Next, the Special Automatic configuration server ACS1 that ACSID is identified receives the message M5 of the first relaying.As soundIt answers, the response M6 of the message for the first relaying is sent Automatic Configuration Server management by Special Automatic configuration server ACS1Device 25.
Response M6 for the message M5 of the first relaying includes the configuration data requested by manageable electronic device.
Automatic Configuration Server manager 25 receives the response from Special Automatic configuration server ACS1, and the responseM6 is relayed to message M7 of the manageable electronic device 1 as the second relaying.
The message M7 of second relaying includes the configuration data requested by manageable electronic device.Manageable electronic device receivesThe message of second relaying, and any configuration purpose as described above is used for using the configuration data in the message of the second relaying.
It should be noted that be present in local network LAN with herein for mode similar described in interface equipment 1In manageable electronic device 2,3,4 can be provided configuration data.It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that being present in local area networkAny manageable electronic device in LAN can access any electronic equipment in wide area network WAN by interface equipment 1, such asPass through network address translation（NAT）Principle.
Fig. 6 shows the Automatic Configuration Server manager in the embodiment of the present invention.
Automatic Configuration Server manager 25 may be implemented as computer system 8.Computer system 8 includes having peripheryThe host-processor 121 of equipment.Host-processor 121 be connected to be arranged for store instruction and data storage unit 118,119,122,123,124, one or more reading units 130（To read such as diskette 1 17, CD ROM 120, DVD, portableMemory card device etc.）, keyboard 126 as input equipment and mouse 127 and as output equipment monitor 128 and beatPrint machine 129.Other input equipments and other output equipments can be provided.
Further, network I/O equipment 132 is provided for connection to network WAN.The other component of computer system canTo be configured on network WAN.
Shown in storage unit include RAM 122,（E）EPROM 123, ROM 124, magnetic tape unit 119 and hard disk118.However, it is to be understood that storage unit known to more and/or other skilled in the art can be provided.AndAnd one or more of which can be and be physically remote from processor 121, if necessary.
Host-processor 121 is shown as a box, however, it may include several running parallel or by oneThe processing unit of primary processor control, can possibly be distributed, such as those skilled in the art on wide area network WAN away from each otherAs member is known.
Host-processor 121 includes the function in hardware or software component, to execute for realizing each of the method for the present inventionA function.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that function of the invention can be completed by the combination of hardware and software component.FirmlyPart component, it is either simulating or digital, can occur in host-processor 121, or can be used as and host121 interface of processor connection split circuit and occur.Further, it will be apparent to a skilled person that can be ledThe software component that machine processor executes can appear in the memory block of host-processor 121.
Computer system 8 shown in Fig. 6 is arranged for method according to the present invention to execute calculating.The present invention also relates toAnd the computer program on computer-readable medium, the computer program realize method of the invention.Computer system 8 can be heldThe row computer program（Or corresponding program code or instruction）To be loaded by computer program from computer-readable mediumMethod of the invention is executed after in computer system.
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to provide configuration data to the manageable electronic device of certain grade of service, andIt is that the present invention can be also used for the support provided by wide area network by the manufacturer of electronic equipment.For example, the present invention can by withActing on can network（networkable）The service of consumer electrical product, to pass through the configuration address of default（It can beIt is effective in any position of fhe global the Internet）Software upgrading or diagnosis are provided.In this case, in first message M1Request additionally including provider mark and/or product type mark.In such an embodiment, Automatic Configuration ServerManager 25 can be determined based at least one of mark of the mark of provider and product type and can manage electronics and setStandby associated Automatic Configuration Server.
It is obvious to the skilled person that without departing from the spirit of the invention, Ke YisheThink and derive to practice other optional and of equal value embodiments of the invention, the scope of the present invention is only limited by appended claimsIt is fixed.
Abbreviation：
CPE：Client device
DSLAM：DSL couple in multiplexer
ACS：Automatic Configuration Server
IP：Internet Protocol
DNS：Name server
ISP:ISP
DSL：Digital Subscriber Line
URL：Uniform resource locator