Network topology backup

• US 10,530,651 B1
• Filed: 08/20/2018
• Issued: 01/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alarm.com Inc. (Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Alarm.com Inc. (Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Knight, Matthew Flannery, Penning, John Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Sam, Phirin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hampton, Tarell A
• Application Number:
  US15/998,983
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/084 Configuration by using pre-existing information, e.g. using templates or copying from other elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0856 by backing up or archiving configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/02 Topology update or discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/248 Connectivity information update
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them

Abstract

A method is described that determines that a replacement node device has been connected to a mesh network, the replacement node device corresponding to an original node that has been removed from the mesh network. In response to determining that the replacement node device has been connected to the mesh network, network topology data is accessed that specifies one or more data routing configurations that are each associated with a node device included in the mesh network. From among the one or more data routing configurations specified by the network topology data, a particular data routing configuration is identified that is associated with the original node device that has been removed from the mesh network. Data that specifies the particular data routing configuration that is associated with the original node device that has been removed from the mesh network is provided to the replacement node device.

Claims

1. A monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property, the monitoring system comprising:

a server that is configured to transmit, to a monitor control unit that is located at the property, first network topology data that specifies a first data routing configuration that specifies, for each of a plurality of node devices that are located throughout the property and that are connected to a mesh network, first routing instructions specifying how the node device is to communicate with one or more other node devices included in the mesh network;

the monitor control unit that is configured to;

receive the first network topology data; and

transmit, to the plurality of node devices and over the mesh network, the first network topology data; and

the plurality of node devices that are configured to;

receive the first network topology data; and

communicate over the mesh network according to the first network topology data, wherein the server is configured to;

determine for the monitoring system to enter a reduced power mode; and

based on determining for the monitoring system to enter the reduced power mode, transmit, to the monitor control unit, second network topology data that specifies a second data routing configuration that specifies second routing instructions specifying, (i) for each of the plurality of node devices, how the node device is to communicate with one or more other node devices included in the mesh network, and (ii) an instruction for each of a portion of the plurality of node devices to communicate only with the monitor control unit,

wherein the monitor control unit is configured to;

receive the second network topology data; and

transmit, to the plurality of node devices and over the mesh network, the second network topology data, and

wherein the plurality of node devices are configured to;

receive the second network topology data;

communicate over the mesh network according to the second network topology data;

reduce power consumption attributable to the portion of the plurality of node devices by communicating only with the monitor control unit.

2. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein:

the server is configured to transmit the second network topology data by transmitting, to the monitor control unit, the second network topology data that specifies the second data routing configuration that specifies second routing instructions specifying, (i) for each of the plurality of node devices, how the node device is to communicate with one or more other node devices included in the mesh network, and (ii) an instruction for each of the portion of the plurality of node devices to deactivate, and

the portion of the plurality of node devices are configured to reduce power consumption attributable to the portion of the plurality of node devices by deactivating.

3. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein:

the server is configured to transmit the second network topology data by transmitting, to the monitor control unit, the second network topology data that specifies the second data routing configuration that specifies second routing instructions specifying, (i) for each of the plurality of node devices, how the node device is to communicate with one or more other node devices included in the mesh network, and (ii) an instruction for each of a remaining portion of the plurality of node devices to block communications of the portion of the plurality of node devices, and

the remaining portion of the plurality of node devices are configured to reduce power consumption attributable to the portion of the plurality of node devices by blocking communications of the portion of the plurality of node devices.

4. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein:

the server is configured to transmit the second network topology data by transmitting, to the monitor control unit, the second network topology data that specifies the second data routing configuration that specifies second routing instructions specifying, for each of a remaining portion of the plurality of node devices, to communicate only with the monitor control unit and other node devices of the remaining portion of the plurality of node devices, and

the remaining portion of the plurality of node devices are configured to reduce power consumption attributable to the portion of the plurality of node devices by communicating only with the monitor control unit and other node devices of the remaining portion of the plurality of node devices.

5. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to:

determine that a remaining portion of the plurality of node devices are operable using a secondary power source; and

transmit the second network topology data based on determining that the remaining portion of the plurality of node devices are operable using a secondary power source.

6. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to:

determine that a power interruption is likely to occur at the property; and

determine for the monitoring system to enter a reduced power mode based on determining that a power interruption is likely to occur at the property.

7. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of node devices are configured to generate status information and transmit the status information over the mesh network.

8. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the server is located remote from the property.

9. A computer-implemented method comprising:

generating, by a monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property, first network topology data that specifies a first data routing configuration that specifies, for each of a plurality of node devices that are located throughout the property and that are connected to a mesh network, first routing instructions specifying how the node device is to communicate with one or more other node devices included in the mesh network;

communicating, by a plurality of node devices of the monitoring system that are located at the property, over the mesh network according to the first network topology data;

determining, by the monitoring system, to enter a reduced power mode;

based on determining to enter a reduced power mode, generating, by the monitoring system, second network topology data that specifies a second data routing configuration that specifies second routing instructions specifying, (i) for each of the plurality of node devices, how the node device is to communicate with one or more other node devices included in the mesh network, and (ii) an instruction for each of a portion of the plurality of node devices to communicate only with the monitor control unit;

communicating, by the plurality of node devices of the monitoring system, over the mesh network according to the second network topology data; and

reducing, by the plurality of node devices of the monitoring system, power consumption attributable to the portion of the plurality of node devices by communicating only with the monitor control unit.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein:

generating the second network topology data comprises generating the second network topology data that specifies the second data routing configuration that specifies second routing instructions specifying, (i) for each of the plurality of node devices, how the node device is to communicate with one or more other node devices included in the mesh network, and (ii) an instruction for each of the portion of the plurality of node devices to deactivate, and

reducing power consumption attributable to the portion of the plurality of node devices comprises deactivating the plurality of node devices.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein:

generating the second network topology data comprises generating the second network topology data that specifies the second data routing configuration that specifies second routing instructions specifying, (i) for each of the plurality of node devices, how the node device is to communicate with one or more other node devices included in the mesh network, and (ii) an instruction for each of a remaining portion of the plurality of node devices to block communications of the portion of the plurality of node devices, and

reducing power consumption attributable to the portion of the plurality of node devices comprises by blocking communications of the portion of the plurality of node devices.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein:

generating the second network topology data comprises generating the second network topology data that specifies the second data routing configuration that specifies second routing instructions specifying, for each of a remaining portion of the plurality of node devices, to communicate only with the monitor control unit and other node devices of the remaining portion of the plurality of node devices, and

reducing power consumption attributable to the portion of the plurality of node devices comprises communicating, by the remaining portion of the plurality of node devices, only with the monitor control unit and other node devices of the remaining portion of the plurality of node devices.

13. The method of claim 9, comprising:

determining, by the monitoring system, that a remaining portion of the plurality of node devices are operable using a secondary power source; and

generating, by the monitoring system, the second network topology data based on determining that the remaining portion of the plurality of node devices are operable using a secondary power source.

14. The method of claim 9, comprising:

determining, by the monitoring system, that a power interruption is likely to occur at the property; and

determining to enter a reduced power mode based on determining that a power interruption is likely to occur at the property.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of node devices are configured to generate status information and transmit the status information over the mesh network.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the monitoring system includes a server that is located remote from the property and that generates the first network topology data and the second network topology data.