Lockable network testing device
View Patent ↗A network testing device may be linked to a dedicated remote server e.g. a cloud-based server having a unique, pre-determined address. The testing device may be configured to cease operating, become locked or limited in testing functionality after a number of startup cycles, days of use, a certain date, etc. Once the testing device is locked, the testing device may be re-activated only by establishing a connection to the server. A database of network testing devices currently in use may be provided. Once a testing device is lost or stolen, the database may be remotely updated to prevent reactivation of that testing device, so as to render the lost or stolen testing device useless for an unauthorized operator of the testing device.
1. A method for unlocking a testing device for testing a communication network, the method comprising:
determining, by the testing device, a first value based on a number of previous power cycles of the testing device after a previous unlocking of the testing device, and a second value based on a time interval after the previous unlocking of the testing device;
comparing, by the testing device, the first value to a first threshold comprising a maximum number of power cycles after the previous unlocking of the testing device, and comparing the second value to a second threshold comprising a maximum time interval after the previous unlocking of the testing device, and upon determining, by the testing device, that at least one of the first and second thresholds is exceeded, the testing device locking the testing device by disabling at least one operating function of the testing device;
establishing, by the testing device, a connection between the testing device and a remote server in response to the locking of the testing device by the testing device;
receiving, at the testing device via the connection, an unlock command from the remote server; and
upon receiving the unlock command from the remote server, the testing device unlocking the testing device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the testing device is unlocked only by receiving the unlock command from a unique server address, and unlocking the testing device comprises enabling the at least one operating function of the testing device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one operating function comprises a user interface function or a communication network test function.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
upon establishing the connection between the testing device and the remote server, the testing device performing at least one of:
receiving configuration update data from the remote server along with the unlock command, to ensure that configuration data stored in the testing device is up to date; and
sending results of a previous test performed by the testing device from the testing device to the remote server, to ensure the results are timely uploaded to the remote server.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein user input entered using a testing device keypad does not unlock the testing device.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the connection is established by the testing device with the remote server in response to the testing device locking the testing device.
7. A method for remotely unlocking a testing device, the method comprising:
coupling a server to a database comprising locking-related information for the testing device, wherein the locking-related information includes an indication of whether the testing device is in a locked state;
establishing, in response to a request from the testing device, a connection between the server and the testing device, wherein the testing device is in a locked state that disables at least one operating function of the testing device, wherein the testing device is in the locked state after a determination by the testing device that at least one of a number of previous power cycles of the testing device after a previous unlocking of the testing device has exceeded a maximum number of previous power cycles, and a time interval after the previous unlocking of the testing device has exceeded a maximum time interval, and wherein the connection is established with the server by the testing device upon locking of the testing device by the testing device;
determining, by the server, whether the testing device is to remain locked by referring to the testing device's locking-related information stored in the database; and
upon determining that the testing device is not to remain locked, sending, by the server, an unlock command to the testing device for unlocking the testing device and enabling the at least one disabled operating function.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising remotely updating the testing device's locking-related information by establishing a secure data communication link between an authorized database administrator and the server.
9. The method of claim 7 , upon establishing the connection between the testing device and the server, the server sending configuration update data to the testing device.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the configuration update data comprises at least a portion of a communication network channel plan.
11. The method of claim 7 ,
wherein determining whether the testing device is to remain locked comprises determining, by the server, whether the testing device is in a locked state in the database, and
upon determining that the testing device is to remain locked, sending, by the server, a lock command to the testing device to lock security configuration data of the testing device.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein determining that the testing device is to remain locked comprises determining an occurrence of a loss or a theft of the testing device.
13. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
upon establishing the connection between the server and the testing device, the server receiving from the testing device results of a previous test performed by the testing device.
14. A system for remotely unlocking a testing device for testing a communication network, the system comprising:
a database configured to store locking-related information for the testing device, wherein the locking-related information includes an indication of whether the testing device is in a locked state; and
a server operably coupled to the database, the server comprising a hardware processor, wherein the server,
in response to a locking of the testing device by the testing device placing the testing device in a locked state that disables at least one operating function, establish, upon initiation by the testing device, a connection between the server and the testing device, wherein the server is further to:
determine whether the testing device is to remain in the locked state by referring to the testing device locking-related information in the database; and
upon determining that the testing device is not to remain in the locked state, send an unlock command to the testing device to unlock the testing device and enable the at least one operating function of the testing device,
wherein the locking of the testing device is based on at least one of a determination by the testing device that a number of previous power cycles of the testing device after a previous unlocking of the testing device has exceeded a maximum number of previous power cycles, and a determination by the testing device that a time interval after the previous unlocking of the testing device has exceeded a maximum time interval.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the server is to update the testing device's locking-related information by establishing a secure data communication link between an authorized database administrator and the server.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein upon determining that the testing device is to remain in the locked state, the server is to send a lock command to the testing device to lock security configuration data of the testing device.
17. A testing device for testing a communication network, the testing device comprising:
access control logic including a hardware processor to:
determine a first value upon starting up the testing device based on a number of previous power cycles of the testing device after a previous unlocking of the testing device, and a second value based on a time interval after a previous unlocking of the testing device;
compare the first value to a first threshold comprising a maximum number of power cycles after the previous unlocking of the testing device, and compare the second value to a second threshold comprising a maximum time interval after the previous unlocking of the testing device; and
upon a determination that at least one of the first value exceeds the first threshold and the second value exceeds the second threshold, lock the testing device by disabling at least one operating function of the testing device; and
communication logic coupled to the access control logic, the communication logic to:
establish a connection with a remote server upon the locking of the testing device; and
receive, via the established connection, an unlock command from the remote server to unlock the testing device and enable the at least one operating function of the testing device.
18. The testing device of claim 17 , wherein the remote server has a unique address, wherein the testing device is unlocked by sending the unlock command only from the unique address.
19. The testing device of claim 17 , wherein the at least one operating function comprises a user interface function or a communication network test function.
20. The testing device of claim 17 , wherein the testing device is to at least one of:
receive configuration update data from the remote server; and
send, upon establishing the connection with the remote server, results of a previous test performed by the testing device.
21. The testing device of claim 17 , wherein the testing device further comprises a keypad, and wherein the access control logic prevents user input entered by way of the keypad from unlocking the testing device.