Connectivity management and diagnostics for cellular data devices

• US 8,730,842 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2008
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Jasper Wireless, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Collins, Daniel G., Govan, Curtis, Gupta, Amit, Keller, Carl, Kumar, Rakesh, Kumar, Suparna, Mohammed, Jahangir, Potter, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Zhao, Wei
• Application Number:
  US12/315,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20090225683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,001 Days
• Field of Search: 370/255, 370/465, 370/401, 455/445
• US Class Current: 370/255
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0869 Validating the configuration within one network element
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/28 for reactive routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/30 Network data restoration; Network data reliability; Network data fault tolerance

Abstract

A cellular network device comprises a data network indicator and an automatic network reconfiguration module. A data network indicator provides an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance or configuration criteria. An automatic network reconfiguration module automatically reconfigures network data connectivity in the event that an indication has been provided that data network connectivity does not meet performance or configuration criteria. A cellular network device comprises a data network indicator and a management channel. A data network indicator for providing an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance or configuration criteria. A management channel for enabling automatic access in the event that an indication is received that data network connectivity does not meet performance or configuration criteria, wherein the management channel enables automatic access to the cellular network device for administrative maintenance or reporting.

Claims

1. cellular network device, comprising:

a data network indicator for providing an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance or configuration criteria; and

an automatic network reconfiguration module for automatically reconfiguring data network connectivity when data network connectivity does not meet performance or configuration criteria, wherein the automatic network reconfiguration module transmits reconfiguration information from the cellular network device through the cellular network via a cellular tower and a base station controller over a management channel that is available to the cellular network device not having a subscription to the cellular network, wherein the reconfiguration information comprises diagnostic, connection management, or subscription management information to restore or improve data network connectivity,

wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity additionally comprises automatically retrying a registration process and wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from an IMSI attach step.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein performance or configuration criteria comprise one or more of the following:

data connectivity with bandwidth below a predetermined value, no data connectivity, data connectivity cost above predetermined rate value, data connectivity not with a preferred network provider, data connectivity unable to handle burst traffic, data connectivity uptime not better than predetermined value, data connectivity latency above predetermined value, and data connectivity drop rate above predetermined value.

3. A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network uptime.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network bandwidth.

5. A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network latency.

6. A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network cost.

7. A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises reconfiguring the cellular device to use an alternative route for data network connectivity.

8. A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises reconfiguring the cellular device to use an alternative voice network.

9. A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity additionally comprises registering with an alternative network.

10. A device as in claim 9, wherein registering with an alternative network comprises restarting a PDP setup procedure using an alternative GGSN.

11. A device as in claim 8, wherein registering with an alternative network comprises restarting an IMSI attach procedure using an alternative voice network.

12. A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from a GPRS attach step.

13. A device as in claim 1, wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from a PDP setup step.

14. A device as in claim 1, wherein the management channel comprises a diagnostic channel.

15. A device as in claim 14, wherein the diagnostic channel is used to update a list of alternative networks.

16. A device as in claim 14, wherein transmissions accessing the diagnostic channel are marked as privileged.

17. A device as in claim 16, wherein privileged transmissions are marked by one or more of the following:

changing the subscriber identity of the cellular device, changing the access point name the cellular device connects to, changing the user name the cellular device connects with, indicating a specific set of destinations devices can connect to and have their transmissions automatically marked as privileged, and marking any transmission from a cellular device in a disconnected state as privileged and rerouting it to a specific destination.

18. A device as in claim 1, wherein data network connectivity is determined by one or more of the following:

monitoring signals passed between the application software and the radio control software layer, monitoring the rate of data passing from the radio control software layer to the application software, monitoring the voice and data network registration status in the radio access software layer, and monitoring an external data network connection status indicator.

19. A method for reconfiguring a cellular network device, comprising:

providing an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance or configuration criteria; and

automatically reconfiguring data network connectivity in the event that an indication has been provided that data network connectivity does not meet performance or configuration criteria, wherein an automatic network reconfiguration module transmits reconfiguration information from the cellular network device through the cellular network via a cellular tower and a base station controller over a management channel that is available to the cellular network device not having a subscription to the cellular network, wherein the reconfiguration information comprises diagnostic, connection management, or subscription management information to restore or improve data network connectivity,

wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity additionally comprises automatically retrying a registration process and wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from an IMSI attach step.

20. A device as in claim 19, wherein performance or configuration criteria comprise one or more of the following:

data connectivity with bandwidth below a predetermined value, no data connectivity, data connectivity cost above predetermined rate value, data connectivity not with a preferred network provider, data connectivity unable to handle burst traffic, data connectivity uptime not better than predetermined value, data connectivity latency above predetermined value, and data connectivity drop rate above predetermined value.

21. A method as in claim 19, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network uptime.

22. A method as in claim 19, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network bandwidth.

23. A method as in claim 19, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network latency.

24. A method as in claim 19, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises choosing an alternative network based at least in part on a network cost.

25. A method as in claim 19, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises reconfiguring the cellular device to use an alternative route for data network connectivity.

26. A method as in claim 19, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity comprises reconfiguring the cellular device to use an alternative voice network.

27. A method as in claim 19, wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity additionally comprises registering with an alternative network.

28. A method as in claim 27, wherein registering with an alternative network comprises restarting a PDP setup procedure using an alternative GGSN.

29. A method as in claim 27, wherein registering with an alternative network comprises restarting an IMSI attach procedure using an alternative voice network.

30. A method as in claim 29, wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from a GPRS attach step.

31. A method as in claim 29, wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from a PDP setup step.

32. A method as in claim 19, wherein the management channel comprises a diagnostic channel.

33. A method as in claim 32, wherein the diagnostic channel is used to update a list of alternative networks.

34. A method as in claim 32, wherein transmissions accessing the diagnostic channel are marked as privileged.

35. A method as in claim 33, wherein privileged transmissions are marked by one or more of the following:

changing the subscriber identity of the cellular device, changing the access point name the cellular device connects to, changing the user name the cellular device connects with, indicating a specific set of destinations devices can connect to and have their transmissions automatically marked as privileged, and marking any transmission from a cellular device in a disconnected state as privileged and rerouting it to a specific destination.

36. A method as in claim 19, wherein data network connectivity is determined by one or more of the following:

monitoring signals passed between the application software and the radio control software layer, monitoring the rate of data passing from the radio control software layer to the application software, monitoring the voice and data network registration status in the radio access software layer, and monitoring an external data network connection status indicator.

37. A non-transitory computer program product for reconfiguring a cellular network device, the non-transitory computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions to:

providing an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance or configuration criteria; and

automatically reconfiguring data network connectivity in the event that an indication has been provided that data network connectivity does not meet performance or configuration criteria, wherein an automatic network reconfiguration module transmits reconfiguration information from the cellular network device through the cellular network via a cellular tower and a base station controller over a management channel that is available to the cellular network device not having a subscription to the cellular network, wherein the reconfiguration information comprises diagnostic, connection management, or subscription management information to restore or improve data network connectivity,

wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity additionally comprises automatically retrying a registration process and wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from an IMSI attach step.

38. A cellular network device, comprising:

a data network indicator for providing an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance or configuration criteria; and

a management channel for enabling automatic access in the event that an indication is received that data network connectivity does not meet performance or configuration criteria, wherein the management channel transmits reconfiguration information from the cellular network device through the cellular network via a cellular tower and a base station controller when the cellular network device does not have a subscription to the cellular network, wherein the reconfiguration information comprises diagnostic, connection management, or subscription management information to restore or improve data network connectivity,

wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity additionally comprises automatically retrying a registration process and wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from an IMSI attach step.

39. A device as in claim 38, wherein performance or configuration criteria comprise one or more of the following:

data connectivity with bandwidth below a predetermined value, no data connectivity, data connectivity cost above predetermined rate value, data connectivity not with a preferred network provider, data connectivity unable to handle burst traffic, data connectivity uptime not better than predetermined value, data connectivity latency above predetermined value, and data connectivity drop rate above predetermined value.

40. A device as in claim 38, wherein configuration criteria comprise a device first customer use criteria wherein the management channel performs subscription management for first use by a customer.

41. A device as in claim 38, wherein the management channel is not visible to a user.

42. A device as in claim 38, wherein any communication over the management channel is not billable.

43. A device as in claim 38, wherein the management channel comprises one or more of the following:

a SMS channel, a data channel, a CSD channel, a USSD channel, a CBS channel, and a voice channel.

44. A device as in claim 38, wherein the management channel is used to upgrade software.

45. A device as in claim 38, wherein the management channel is used to update a list of alternative networks.

46. A device as in claim 38, wherein a transmission accessing the management channel is marked as privileged.

47. A device as in claim 46, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by changing the subscriber identity of the cellular device.

48. A device as in claim 46, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by changing the access point name the cellular device connects to.

49. A device as in claim 46, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by changing the user name the cellular device connects with.

50. A device as in claim 46, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by indicating a specific set of destinations devices can connect to and have their transmissions automatically marked as privileged.

51. A device as in claim 46, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by marking any transmission from a cellular device in a disconnected state as privileged and rerouting it to a specific destination.

52. A method for a cellular network device, comprising:

providing an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance or configuration criteria; and

enabling automatic access in the event that an indication is received that data network connectivity does not meet performance or configuration criteria, wherein a management channel transmits reconfiguration information from the cellular network device through the cellular network via a cellular tower and a base station controller over a management channel that is available to the cellular network device not having a subscription to the cellular network, wherein the reconfiguration information comprises diagnostic, connection management, or subscription management information to restore or improve data network connectivity,

wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity additionally comprises automatically retrying a registration process and wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from an IMSI attach step.

53. A method as in claim 52, wherein performance or configuration criteria comprise one or more of the following:

data connectivity with bandwidth below a predetermined value, no data connectivity, data connectivity cost above predetermined rate value, data connectivity not with a preferred network provider, data connectivity unable to handle burst traffic, data connectivity uptime not better than predetermined value, data connectivity latency above predetermined value, and data connectivity drop rate above predetermined value.

54. A method as in claim 52, wherein configuration criteria comprise a device first customer use criteria wherein the management channel performs subscription management for first use by a customer.

55. A method as in claim 52, wherein the management channel is not visible to a user.

56. A method as in claim 52, wherein any communication over the management channel is not billable.

57. A method as in claim 52, wherein the management channel comprises one or more of the following:

a SMS channel, a data channel, a CSD channel, a CBS channel, a USSD channel, and a voice channel.

58. A method as in claim 52, wherein the management channel is used to upgrade software.

59. A method as in claim 52, wherein the management channel is used to update a list of alternative networks.

60. A method as in claim 52, wherein a transmission accessing the management channel is marked as privileged.

61. A method as in claim 60, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by changing the subscriber identity of the cellular device.

62. A method as in claim 60, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by changing the access point name the cellular device connects to.

63. A method as in claim 60, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by changing the user name the cellular device connects with.

64. A method as in claim 60, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by indicating a specific set of destinations devices can connect to and have their transmissions automatically marked as privileged.

65. A method as in claim 60, wherein the privileged transmission is marked by marking any transmission from a cellular device in a disconnected state as privileged and rerouting it to a specific destination.

66. A non-transitory computer program product for a cellular network device, the non-transitory computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions to:

providing an indication when data network connectivity associated with a cellular network does not meet performance criteria; and

enabling automatic access in the event that an indication is received that data network connectivity does not meet performance criteria, wherein a management channel transmits reconfiguration information from the cellular network device through the cellular network via a cellular tower and a base station controller over a management channel that is available to the cellular network device not having a subscription to the cellular network, wherein the reconfiguration information comprises diagnostic, connection management, or subscription management information to restore or improve data network connectivity,

wherein automatically reconfiguring network data connectivity additionally comprises automatically retrying a registration process and wherein automatically retrying the registration process comprises restarting the registration process from an IMSI attach step.