Method and apparatus for configuring a router, and a computer program product

• US 7,606,170 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2005
• Issued: 10/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Fischer, Axel
• Primary Examiner(s): Duong; Frank
• Application Number:
  US11/141,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20060013236A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,603 Days
• Field of Search: 370/254, 370/351, 370400-402, 709217-220
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0253 using browsers or web-pages for accessing management information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0846 based on copy from other elements

Abstract

A method is provided for configuring a router of a first local-area network in a communication network, having a second local-area network in communication with the first local-area network via the router. Configuration data for the router from an external communication device of the second local-area network is inputted via a dynamic web page of a remote server. An automatic communication connection with the router is established via the remote server. The configuration data is transmitted to the router.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a router of a first local-area network in a communication network, the communication network having a second local-area network in communication with the first local-area network via the router, the method comprising:

inputting configuration data for the router from an external communication device of the second local-area network via a dynamic web page of a remote server;

establishing automatically a communication connection with the router via the remote server;

transmitting the configuration data to the router;

storing, for a predetermined time period, the configuration data in the remote servers or router, the predetermined time period being a fixed time period;

comparing the configuration data to current configuration data of the router; and

updating a configuration of the router at the predetermined time period, the configuration of the router being updated when the configuration data is different than the current configuration data,

wherein the configuration data is stored for the predetermined time period before updating the configuration of the router using the configuration data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a dial-up connection is used as the communication connection.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the dial-up connection is initiated by the remote server, and the remote server repeats attempts, if initially unsuccessful, to establish the dial-up connection until the communication connection has been made or a predetermined time has elapsed.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the dial-up connection is initiated by the router and the transmission of the configuration data is started by the remote server.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration data are checked for plausibility and correctness in the server, in the router or in both the server and the router.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein transmitting the configuration data includes storing the configuration data in the remote server, router, or the combination thereof.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fixed time period is at night.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

inputting identification data by the external communication device via the dynamic web page.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein on the basis of the identification data, an authorization of access to the remote server for the router is checked.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein storing the configuration data in the remote server and router includes storing the configuration data when the configuration data is different than current configuration data of the router.

11. The method according to claim 5, wherein the configuration data are stored in a memory in the server, the router or both the server and the router.

12. The method according to claim 2, wherein the transmitted configuration data are activated in delayed fashion in the router.

13. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

inputting identification data by the external communication device via the dynamic web page.

14. The method according to claim 4, wherein the configuration data are checked for plausibility and correctness in the server, in the router or in both the server and the router.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the transmitted configuration data are activated in delayed fashion in the router.

16. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

inputting identification data by the external communication device via the dynamic web page.

17. A system for configuring a router of a first local-area network in a communication network, the communication network having a second local- area network in communication with the first local-area network via the router, the system comprising:

a remote server communicatively located within the first or second local-area network, the remote server including a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing configuration data and a dynamic interface program providing a dynamic webpage; and

a communication device of the second local-area network, the communication device configured to input the configuration data for the router via the dynamic web page of the remote server,

wherein a communication connection with the router is automatically established to transmit the configuration data to the router at a predetermined time.

18. A computer readable storage media for configuring a first router of a first local-area network in a communication network having a second local-area network in communication with the first local-area network via the first router, the computer readable storage media storing instructions for:

inputting configuration data for the first router from a second router of the second local-area network via a dynamic web page of a remote server;

establishing automatically a communication connection with the first router via the remote server; and

transmitting the configuration data to the first router at a predetermined time period.

19. The instructions according to claim 18, wherein a dial-up connection is used as the communication connection, and wherein the dial-up connection is initiated by the remote server, and the remote server repeats attempts, if initially unsuccessful, to establish the dial-up connection until the communication connection has been made or a predetermined time has elapsed.

20. The instructions according to claim 18, wherein the second local-area network is an Intranet network including the second router and one or more communication devices connected to the second router.