Systems, Methods, and Computer Program Products for Providing a Remote Non-IP-Addressable Device with an IP Stack

• US 20110307539A1
• Filed: 06/15/2010
• Published: 12/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Maria, Arturo
• Granted Patent: US 8,578,011 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/161 Implementation details of TCP/IP or UDP/IP stack architecture; Specification of modified or new header fields
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

A system for dynamically provisioning a remote device with an Internet Protocol (IP) stack using a custom IP agent is disclosed. The system includes a Master Catalog storing a profile identifying an operating system and a native protocol of the device. The system also includes a Provisioning Master in communication with the Master Catalog. The Provisioning Master is configured to receive the device profile from the Master Catalog and generate the custom IP agent based on at least the device profile to allow communication of IP services to/from the remote device. The Provisioning Master is also configured to establish a data link to the remote device using the native protocol of the remote device, and install the IP agent onto the remote device, using the native protocol of the remote device, to form the IP stack for the remote device, thereby enabling communication of IP services to/from the remote device.

Claims

1. A system for dynamically provisioning a remote device with an Internet Protocol (IP) stack using a custom IP agent, the system comprising:

a Master Catalog for storing a device profile identifying an operating system of the remote device and a native protocol by which the remote device communicates; and

a Provisioning Master in communication with the Master Catalog and configured to;

receive the device profile from the Master Catalog;

generate the custom IP agent based on at least the device profile to allow communication of IP services to/from the remote device;

establish a data link to the remote device using the native protocol of the remote device; and

install the IP agent onto the remote device, using the native protocol of the remote device, to form the IP stack for the remote device, thereby allowing communication of IP services to/from the remote device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the remote device is a part of smart grid network;

the Master Catalog stores device profiles for each device in the smart grid network; and

the Provisioning Master is further configured to communicate with the smart grid network to establish the data link and install the IP agent.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the IP stack formed by installation of the IP agent includes an IP extension and an IP driver for use in receiving/sending IP services.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the Provisioning Master is further configured to:

generate an updated IP agent in accord with an updated device profile; and

install the updated IP agent onto the remote device.

5. The system of claim 1, further including a Secure Systems Manager residing in the Provisioning Master and in the Master Catalog for controlling, interactions between the Provisioning Master and a network to which the remote device belongs.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the Secure Systems Manager is configured so that the network to which the remote device belongs has exclusive control of the Provisioning Master after the IP agent has been installed.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the Secure Systems Manager is configured to allow an operator to identify rules for the Provisioning Master, create new IP agents, and update IP agents.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the Provisioning Master is a server positioned in a network selected from a group of networks consisting of:

a device network to which the remote device belongs; and

a carrier network providing IP services to the remote device after the IP agent is installed.

9. A method for dynamically provisioning a remote device with an Internet Protocol (IP) stack using a custom IP agent, the method comprising:

storing in a Master Catalog a device profile identifying an operating system of the remote device and a native protocol by which the remote device communicates;

a Provisioning Master, in communication with the Master Catalog, receiving the device profile from the Master Catalog;

the Provisioning Master generating the custom IP agent based on at least the device profile;

the Provisioning Master establishing a data link to the remote device using the native protocol of the remote device; and

the Provisioning Master installing the IP agent onto the remote device, using the native protocol of the remote device, to form the IP stack for the remote device, thereby allowing communication of IP services to/from the remote device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the remote device is part of a smart grid network; and

the Provisioning Master establishing the data link and installing the IP agent include the Provisioning Master connecting to the smart grid network.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the IP stack formed by the Provisioning Master installing the IP agent includes an IP extension and an IP driver for use in receiving/sending IP services.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

the Provisioning Master updating the IP agent in accord with an updated device profile; and

the Provisioning Master installing the updated IP agent onto the remote device.

13. The method of claim 9, further including a Secure Systems Manager, residing in the Provisioning Master and in the Master Catalog, controlling an interface between the Provisioning Master and a network to which the remote device belongs.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the Secure Systems Manager controls the interface such that the network to which the remote device belongs has exclusive control of the Provisioning Master after the IP agent has been installed.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the Secure Systems Manager allows an operator to identify rules for the Provisioning Master, create new IP agents, and update IP agents.

16. A computer-readable medium for dynamically provisioning a remote device with an Internet Protocol (IP) stack using a custom IP agent, the computer-readable medium having instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

receive a device profile from a Master Catalog, the device profile including an operating system for the device and a native protocol by which the device communicates;

generate the custom IP agent based on at least the device profile;

establish a data link to the remote device using the native protocol of the remote device; and

install the IP agent onto the remote device, using the native protocol of the remote device, to form the IP stack for the remote device, thereby allowing communication of IP services to/from the remote device.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the IP stack is formed to include an IP extension and an IP driver for use in sending/receiving IP services.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:

generate an updated IP agent in accord with an updated device profile; and

install the updated IP agent onto the remote device.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to control an interface between the computer-readable medium and a network to which the remote device belongs.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to allow an operator to identify rules for the Provisioning Master, create new IP agents, and update IP agents.