Methods and systems for allowing device to send and receive data
The present invention discloses a method and system for configuring an electronic device through a management device. When the management device is coupled to the electronic device and the electronic device is not able to communicate with a server, the method and system detect an identity of the electronic device and configure the electronic device according to the identity with a configuration. The configuration may further comprise authentication information, routing policy, energy policy and any information to configure the electronic device or to configure the management device for electronic device. The method and system also allow the electronic device to send data to and to receive data from the server through the management device. The method and system may also diagnose the electronic device before configuring the electronic device.
1 . A method for configuring an electronic device, the method comprising:
when the electronic device is unable to connect to a first server:
(a) at the electronic device: connecting with a management device;
(b) at the management device: detecting identity information of the electronic device;
(c) at the management device: diagnosing the electronic device to generate a report regarding hardware problems and software problems;
(d) at the management device: establishing an aggregated tunnel via an interconnected network with a second server using the identity information;
(e) at the management device: retrieving a configuration from the second server through the aggregated tunnel or a local storage medium;
(f) when the configuration is retrieved from the second server:
(i) at the management device: establishing at least one connection with the first server via the interconnected network, and sending the report and the identity information to the first server through the at least one connection;
(ii) at the management device: after the report is analyzed according to a database of instructions by the first server, receiving an instruction through the at least one connection from the first server according to the report and the identity information; and
(iii) at the management device: sending a request for the configuration to the second server through the aggregated tunnel according to the instruction;
(g) when the configuration is retrieved from the local storage medium: at the management device: selecting the configuration according to the identity information;
(h) at the management device: authenticating the configuration to determine if the configuration is valid;
(i) at the management device: based on the instruction, repairing the hardware problems prior to configuring the electronic device with the configuration to repair the software problems when the configuration is valid; and
(j) at the electronic device: after configuring with the configuration, sending and receiving data via the interconnected network through at least one of: (i) at least one network interface of the electronic device and (ii) at least one network interface of the management device;
wherein:
the aggregated tunnel is established by aggregating a plurality of connections established between the management device and the second server;
the instruction comprises commands in a script file and suggestions to a user of the management device;
the configuring of the electronic device comprises executing the script file;
the configuration comprises authentication information;
the configuration is authenticated by extracting contents of the configuration by using a password with the authentication information; and
the configuration is valid if the password extracts the contents of the configuration.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identity information is based on at least one of: a serial number, a model number, an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a Media Access Control (MAC) address, and an identity of a user.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the configuration is received using Internet Protocol (IP) data packets.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first server and the second server are located remotely from the management device.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the local storage medium is coupled to the management device using a USB connectivity, a NFC technology, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the management device comprises one or more of: a network interface, a cellular modem, a Wi-Fi module, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the management device is configured to provide electricity to the electronic device via a Power over Ethernet (POE);
the management device comprises a help button to diagnose the electronic device; and
the management device diagnoses the electronic device when the help button is used.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
at the management device: rebooting the electronic device after configuring with the configuration.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the report comprises a status of hardware of the electronic device and a status of software of the electronic device.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the management device is coupled to the electronic device via a management port of the electronic device.
11 . A system for configuring an electronic device, management device, wherein the system comprises:
the electronic device; and
a management device;
wherein the electronic device comprises:
at least one first processing unit;
at least one first primary transitory storage medium; and
at least one first secondary non-transitory storage medium storing program instructions executable by the at least one first processing unit for:
when the electronic device is unable to connect to a first server:
(a) connecting with the management device;
(b) after configuring with a configuration, sending and receiving data via an interconnected network through at least one of: (i) at least one network interface of the electronic device and (ii) at least one network interface of the management device;
wherein the management device comprises:
at least one second processing unit;
at least one second primary transitory storage medium; and
at least one second secondary non-transitory storage medium storing program instructions executable by the at least one second processing unit for:
(c) detecting identity information of the electronic device;
(d) diagnosing the electronic device to generate a report regarding hardware problems and software problems;
(e) establishing an aggregated tunnel via the interconnected network with a second server using the identity information;
(f) retrieving the configuration from the second server through the aggregated tunnel or a local storage medium;
(g) when the configuration is retrieved from the second server:
(i) establishing at least one connection with the first server via the interconnected network, and sending the report and the identity information to the first server through the at least one connection;
(ii) after the report is analyzed according to a database of instructions by the first server, receiving an instruction through the at least one connection from the first server according to the report and the identity information; and
iii) sending a request for the configuration to the second server through the aggregated tunnel according to the instruction;
(h) when the configuration is retrieved from the local storage medium, selecting the configuration according to the identity information;
(i) authenticating the configuration to determine if the configuration is valid;
(j) based on the instruction, repairing the hardware problems prior to configuring the electronic device with the configuration to repair the software problems when the configuration is valid;
wherein:
the aggregated tunnel is established by aggregating a plurality of connections established between the management device and the second server;
the instruction comprises commands in a script file and suggestions to a user of the management device;
the configuring of the electronic device comprises executing the script file;
the configuration comprises authentication information;
the configuration is authenticated by extracting contents of the configuration by using a password with the authentication information; and
the configuration is valid if the password extracts the contents of the configuration.
12 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the identity information is based on at least one of: a serial number, a model number, an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a Media Access Control (MAC), address and an identity of a user.
13 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the configuration is received using Internet Protocol (IP) data packets.
14 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the first server and the second server are located remotely from the management device.
15 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the local storage medium is coupled to the management device using a USB connectivity, a NFC technology, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.
16 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the management device comprises one or more of: a cellular modem, a Wi-Fi module, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor.
17 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein;
the management device is configured to provide electricity to the electronic device via a Power over Ethernet (POE);
the management device comprises a help button to diagnose the electronic device; and
the management device diagnoses the electronic device when the help button is used.
18 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one second secondary non-transitory storage medium storing program instructions executable by the at least one second processing unit for:
rebooting the electronic device after configuring with the configuration.
19 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the report comprises a status of hardware of the electronic device and a status of software of the electronic device.
20 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the management device is coupled to the electronic device via a management port of the electronic device.