FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
“METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING CONNECTIVITY TO SUBSCRIBER EQUIPMENT IN A NETWORK ENVIRONMENT”
We, Jio Platforms Limited, an Indian National, of Office - 101, Saffron, Nr. Centre Point, Panchwati 5 Rasta, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad - 380006, Gujarat, India.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
2
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING CONNECTIVITY TO SUBSCRIBER EQUIPMENT IN A NETWORK ENVIRONMENT
TECHNICAL FIELD
5
[0001]
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to network performance management systems. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to providing network connectivity to one or more subscriber equipment in a network environment.
10
BACKGROUND
[0002]
The following description of the related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the 15 present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section is used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of the prior art.
[0003]
Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few 20 decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was based on analog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the advent of the second-generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. 3G technology 25 marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile video calling, and location-based services. The fourth generation (4G) technology revolutionized wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network coverage, and improved security. Currently, the fifth generation (5G) technology is being deployed, promising even faster data speeds, low latency, and the ability to connect 30
3
multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless communication
technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable of delivering more services to its users.
[0004]
User equipment, or UE, is a term used in 3G/4G/5G/6G cellular 5 communications to describe a cellular device, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or other type of wireless device that is used to access a network. A UE may support one or more subscriber identification modules (SIM). Using a SIM, the UE makes connections in a cellular network. Such connections are called subscriber connections, which are authenticated by the network using credentials related to the 10 SIM and identified in the network using a setup of IPv4/IPv6 addresses. As per a subscription plan of a user of the UE, the network applies one or more policies on the subscriber connection and, accordingly, performs charging and billing on the connection.
15
[0005]
Further, a particular type of UE known as CPE (Customer Premises Equipment), in addition to providing connectivity with the network, also provides LAN connectivity options (including but not limited to options such as Ethernet and Wireless LAN) so that one or more devices (typically non-cellular) can connect with it and get to use the cellular network connection (subscriber connection) of the 20 CPE.
[0006]
Conventionally, a single CPE may be connected to single subscriber equipment (e.g., a single home gateway), wherein the single subscriber equipment may be connected to one or more devices. In this case, the identification of the 25 subscriber equipment may become easily available to the network.
[0007]
However, when multiple subscriber equipment, each associated to a different user, connects to a CPE using LAN connectivity, the network still perceives it as a single subscriber connection and is unable to distinguish between 30
4
the
multiple users in the LAN of the CPE. As a result, the network may not be able to identify individual devices connected to LAN of the CPE in order to individually apply the one or more policies associated with the respective users of the one or more devices. The present invention aims to address these and other inherent problems in the state of the art. 5
SUMMARY
[0008]
This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. 10 This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0009]
An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for providing connectivity to subscriber equipment in a network environment. The method 15 includes receiving, by a transceiver unit via a customer premise equipment (CPE), from one or more subscriber equipment (SE), a request for connection with the CPE. The method further includes establishing, by an establishing unit connected at least to the transceiver unit, from the CPE, connectivity between the CPE and the one or more SE. The method further includes connecting, by a connection unit 20 connected at least to the establishing unit, the CPE with a communication network module. The method further includes extending, by an extension unit connected at least to the connection unit, via the CPE, connectivity of the communication network module to the one or more SE.
25
[0010]
In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the step of extending, by the extension unit via the CPE, connectivity of the communication network to the one or more SE includes at least one of: generating, by an identification unit connected at least to the extension unit, via an IP address allocation module, IP addresses for the one or more SE; and retrieving, by the identification unit, based 30
5
on data traffic at the CPE, MAC addresses of the one or more SE. The method
further includes transmitting, by the transceiver unit, at least one of the generated IP addresses, and the retrieved MAC addresses to at least one of the one or more SE, and the communication network module.
5
[0011]
In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the step of establishing, by the establishing unit via the CPE, connectivity between the CPE and the one or more SE includes authenticating, by an authentication unit connected at least to the establishing unit via an authentication agent function (AAF) module, the one or more SE based on the received request from the one or more SE; and transmitting, 10 by the transceiver unit via the AAF module, at least one of the generated IP addresses, and the retrieved MAC addresses of the corresponding SE to at least one of the one or more SE and the communication network module.
[0012]
In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the IP 15 address allocation modules, and the AAF module is configured in at least one of the CPE, a switch located between the CPE and the one or more SE, and the communication network module.
[0013]
In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the IP address allocation 20 module is at least one of a static IP address allocation module, and a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) module.
[0014]
In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes creating, by a session unit connected at least to the extension unit, a session of the 25 CPE and sessions of the one or more SE in the communication network module, and wherein the sessions of the one or more SE are created as a subset of the session of the CPE.
6
[0015]
In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes applying, by an application unit connected at least the to the establishing unit, via the CPE, from a data packet inspection (DPI) module provided in the communication network module, a set of policies to each of the one or more SE, and wherein each set of policies relates to network parameters of the connectivity 5 of the communication network module extended to the one or more SE.
[0016]
In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the communication network module is an extended cellular core network (ECCN) module.
10
[0017]
In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the connectivity between the switch and the one or more SE is via a local area network (LAN).
[0018]
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for providing connectivity to subscriber equipment in a network environment. The system 15 includes a transceiver unit configured to receive, at a customer premise equipment, from a one or more subscriber equipment (SE), a request for connection with the CPE. Further, the system includes an establishing unit connected at least to the transceiver unit. The establishing unit is configured to establish, from the CPE, connectivity between the CPE and the one or more SE. The system further includes 20 a connection unit connected at least to the establishing unit. The connection unit is configured to connect the CPE with a communication network module. The system further includes an extension unit connected at least to the connection unit. The extension unit is configured to extend, via the CPE, connectivity of the communication network module to the one or more SE. 25
[0019]
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a customer premise equipment (CPE). The CPE is configured to receive, from a transceiver unit, from one or more subscriber equipment (SE), a request for connection with the CPE. The CPE is further configured to establish, by an establishing unit connected at least to 30
7
the transceiver, connectivity between the CPE and the one or more SE. The CPE
is further configured to connect, by a connection unit connected at least to the establishing unit, with a communication network module. The CPE is configured to extend, by an extension unit connected at least to the connection unit, via the CPE, connectivity of the communication network module to the one or more SE. 5
[0020]
Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for providing connectivity to subscriber equipment in a network environment, the instructions include executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a 10 transceiver unit of the system to receive, at a customer premise equipment, from a one or more subscriber equipment (SE), a request for connection with the CPE; an establishing unit to establish, from the CPE, connectivity between the CPE and the one or more SE; a connection unit to connect the CPE with a communication network module; and an extension unit to extend, via the CPE, connectivity of the 15 communication network module to the one or more SE.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0021]
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one 20 embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below.
[0022]
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide methods and systems for extending a network connectivity across multiple subscriber equipment through a single customer premise equipment. 25
[0023]
It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution to recognize and distinguish between multiple subscriber equipment through a single customer premise equipment in order to apply individual policies to the respective subscriber equipment. 30
8
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024]
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods 5 and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Also, the embodiments shown in the figures are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure, but the possible variants of the method and system 10 according to the disclosure are illustrated herein to highlight the advantages of the disclosure. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such drawings includes disclosure of electrical components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.
15
[0025]
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of a 5th generation core (5GC) network architecture.
[0026]
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device through which one or more features of the present disclosure may be implemented, 20 in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.
[0027]
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system for providing connectivity to one or more subscriber equipment (SE) in a network environment, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. 25
[0028]
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method for providing connectivity to one or more SE in the network environment, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.
30
9
[0029]
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary system architecture for providing connectivity to one or more SE in the network environment, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.
[0030]
FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary system architecture for providing 5 connectivity to one or more SE in the network environment, in accordance with another exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.
[0031]
FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary system architecture for providing connectivity to one or more SE in the network environment, in accordance with 10 another exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.
[0032]
FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary system architecture for providing connectivity to one or more SE in the network environment, in accordance with another exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. 15
[0033]
FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary system architecture for providing connectivity to one or more SE in the network environment, in accordance with another exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.
20
[0034]
The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed description of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
25
[0035]
In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter may each be used independently of one 30
10
another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not
address any of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above.
[0036]
The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not 5 intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the 10 disclosure as set forth.
[0037]
Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these 15 specific details. For example, circuits, systems, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail.
[0038]
Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process 20 which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not 25 included in a figure.
[0039]
The word “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any 30
11
aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not
necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed 5 description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive—in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word—without precluding any additional or other elements.
[0040]
As used herein, a “processing unit” or “processor” or “operating processor” 10 includes one or more processors, wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry for processing instructions. A processor may be a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a (Digital Signal Processing) DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific 15 Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of integrated circuits, etc. The processor may perform signal coding data processing, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the working of the system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, the processor or processing unit is a hardware processor. 20
[0041]
As used herein, “a user equipment”, “a user device”, “a smart-user-device”, “a smart-device”, “an electronic device”, “a mobile device”, “a handheld device”, “a wireless communication device”, “a mobile communication device”, or “a communication device” may be any electrical, electronic and/or computing device 25 or equipment, capable of implementing the features of the present disclosure. The user equipment/device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, smart phone, laptop, a general-purpose computer, desktop, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, wearable device or any other computing device which is capable of implementing the features of the present disclosure. Also, the user device may 30 contain at least one input means configured to receive an input from at least one of
12
a transceiver unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, a detection unit and any other
such unit(s) which are required to implement the features of the present disclosure.
[0042]
As used herein, “storage unit” or “memory unit” refers to a machine or computer-readable medium including any mechanism for storing information in a 5 form readable by a computer or similar machine. For example, a computer-readable medium includes read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices or other types of machine-accessible storage media. The storage unit stores at least the data that may be required by one or more units of the system to perform their respective 10 functions.
[0043]
As used herein “interface” or “user interface” refers to a shared boundary across which two or more separate components of a system exchange information or data. The interface may also be referred to a set of rules or protocols that define 15 communication or interaction of one or more modules or one or more units with each other, which also includes the methods, functions, or procedures that may be called.
[0044]
All modules, units, components used herein, unless explicitly excluded 20 herein, may be software modules or hardware processors, the processors being a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array 25 circuits (FPGA), any other type of integrated circuits, etc.
[0045]
As used herein, the transceiver unit includes at least one receiver and at least one transmitter configured respectively for receiving and transmitting data, signals,
13
information or a combination thereof between units/components within the system
and/or connected with the system.
[0046]
As discussed in the background section, the current known solutions have several shortcomings. The present disclosure aims to overcome the above-5 mentioned and other existing problems in this field of technology by providing method and system for providing connectivity to subscriber equipment in a network environment.
[0047]
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of a fifth (5th) 10 generation core (5GC) network architecture, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the 5GC network architecture [100] includes a user equipment (UE) [102], a radio access network (RAN) [104], an access and mobility management function (AMF) [106], a Session Management Function (SMF) [108], a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [110], 15 an Authentication Server Function (AUSF) [112], a Network Slice Specific Authentication and Authorization Function (NSSAAF) [114], a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) [116], a Network Exposure Function (NEF) [118], a Network Repository Function (NRF) [120], a Policy Control Function (PCF) [122], a Unified Data Management (UDM) [124], an application function (AF) [126], a 20 User Plane Function (UPF) [128], and a data network (DN) [130]. All the components are assumed to be connected to each other in a manner as obvious to the person skilled in the art for implementing features of the present disclosure.
[0048]
The Radio Access Network (RAN) [104] is the part of a mobile 25 telecommunications system that connects the user equipment (UE) [102] to a core network (CN) and provides access to different types of networks (e.g., 5G network). It consists of radio base stations and the radio access technologies that enable wireless communication.
30
14
[0049]
The Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [106] is a 5G core network function responsible for managing access and mobility aspects, such as, without limitations, UE registration, connection, and reachability. It also handles mobility management procedures, such as, without limitations, handovers and paging. 5
[0050]
The Session Management Function (SMF) [108] is a 5G core network function responsible for managing session-related aspects, such as establishing, modifying, and releasing sessions. It coordinates with the User Plane Function (UPF) [128] for data forwarding and further handles IP address allocation and QoS 10 enforcement.
[0051]
The Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [110] is a network function in the 5G core network that facilitates communication between other network functions by providing a secure and efficient messaging service. It acts as a mediator for 15 service-based interfaces.
[0052]
The Authentication Server Function (AUSF) [112] is a network function in the 5G core responsible for authenticating the UE [102] (or a plurality of such UEs) during registration, and providing security services. It generates and verifies 20 authentication vectors and tokens.
[0053]
The Network Slice Specific Authentication and Authorization Function (NSSAAF) [114] is a network function that provides authentication and authorization services specific to network slices. It ensures that the UE [102] can 25 access only the slices for which they are authorized.
[0054]
The Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) [116] is a network function responsible for selecting the appropriate network slice for the UE [102] based on factors such as subscription, requested services, and network policies. 30
15
[0055]
The Network Exposure Function (NEF) [118] is a network function that exposes capabilities and services of the 5G network to external applications, enabling integration with third-party services and applications.
5
[0056]
The Network Repository Function (NRF) [120] is a network function that acts as a central repository for information about available network functions and services. It facilitates the discovery and dynamic registration of network functions.
[0057]
The Policy Control Function (PCF) [122] is a network function responsible 10 for policy control decisions, such as QoS, charging, and access control, based on subscriber information and network policies.
[0058]
The Unified Data Management (UDM) [124] is a network function that centralizes the management of subscriber data, including authentication, 15 authorization, and subscription information.
[0059]
The Application Function (AF) [126] is a network function that represents external applications interfacing with the 5G core network to access network capabilities and services. 20
[0060]
The User Plane Function (UPF) [128] is a network function responsible for handling user data traffic, including packet routing, forwarding, and QoS enforcement.
25
[0061]
The Data Network (DN) [130] refers to a network that provides data services to the UE [102] in a telecommunications system. The data services may include, without limitations, Internet services, private data network related services.
16
[0062]
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device [200] (herein, also referred to as a computer system [200]) upon which one or more features of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. In an implementation, the computing device [200] may also implement a method for providing connectivity 5 to one or more SE in a network environment utilising a system, or one or more sub-systems, provided in the network. In another implementation, the computing device [200] itself implements the method for providing connectivity to one or more SE in the network environment using one or more units configured within the computing device [200], wherein said one or more units are capable of implementing the 10 features as disclosed in the present disclosure.
[0063]
The computing device [200] may include a bus [202] or other communication mechanism(s) for communicating information, and a hardware processor [204] coupled with bus [202] for processing said information. The 15 hardware processor [204] may be, for example, a general-purpose microprocessor. The computing device [200] may also include a main memory [206], such as a random-access memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus [202], for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor [204]. The main memory [206] also may be used for storing temporary variables or 20 other intermediate information during execution of the instructions to be executed by the processor [204]. Such instructions, when stored in a non-transitory storage media accessible to the processor [204], render the computing device [200] into a special purpose device that is customized to perform operations according to the instructions. The computing device [200] further includes a read only memory 25 (ROM) [208] or other static storage device coupled to the bus [202] for storing static information and instructions for the processor [204].
[0064]
A storage device [210], such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or solid-state drive is provided and coupled to the bus [202] for storing information and 30 instructions. The computing device [200] may be coupled via the bus [202] to a
17
display [212], such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), Liquid crystal Display (LCD),
Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, Organic LED (OLED) display, etc., for displaying information to a user of the computing device [200]. An input device [214], including alphanumeric and other keys, touch screen input means, etc. may be coupled to the bus [202] for communicating information and command 5 selections to the processor [204]. Another type of user input device may be a cursor controller [216], such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor [204], and for controlling cursor movement on the display [212]. The cursor controller [216] typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., 10 x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allows the cursor controller [216] to specify positions in a plane.
[0065]
The computing device [200] may implement the techniques described herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware 15 and/or program logic which, in combination with the computing device [200], causes or programs the computing device [200] to be a special-purpose device. According to one implementation, the techniques herein are performed by the computing device [200] in response to the processor [204] executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory [206]. The 20 one or more instructions may be read into the main memory [206] from another storage medium, such as the storage device [210]. Execution of the one or more sequences of the one or more instructions contained in the main memory [206] causes the processor [204] to perform the process steps described herein. In alternative implementations of the present disclosure, hard-wired circuitry may be 25 used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions.
[0066]
The computing device [200] also may include a communication interface [218] coupled to the bus [202]. The communication interface [218] provides two-way data communication coupling to a network link [220] that is connected to a 30 local network [222]. For example, the communication interface [218] may be an
18
integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or
a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telecommunication line. In another example, the communication interface [218] may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any 5 such implementation, the communication interface [218] sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing different types of information.
[0067]
The computing device [200] can send and receive data, including program 10 code, messages, etc. through the network(s), the network link [220] and the communication interface [218]. In an example, a server [230] might transmit a requested code for an application program through the Internet [228], the ISP [226], the local network [222], the host [224] and the communication interface [218]. The received code may be executed by the processor [204] as it is received, and/or stored 15 in the storage device [210], or other non-volatile storage for later execution.
[0068]
The present disclosure is implemented by a system [300] (as shown in FIG. 3). In an implementation, the system [300] may include the computing device [200] (as shown in FIG. 2). It is further noted that the computing device [200] is able to 20 perform the steps of a method [400] (as shown in FIG. 4).
[0069]
Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary block diagram of a system [300] for providing connectivity to subscriber equipment in a network environment is shown, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. The 25 system [300] comprises at least one transceiver unit [302], at least one establishing unit [304], at least one connection unit [306], at least one extension unit [308], at least one identification unit [310], at least one authentication unit [312], at least one session unit [314], and at least one application unit [316].
30
19
[0070]
The system [300] is further communicably and/or operatively coupled to a customer premise equipment (CPE) [320], one or more subscriber equipment (SE) [SE1, SE2…Sen], and a communication network module [322]. The system [300] is configured to operate, or to communicate with any one or more of the CPE [320], the one or more SE, and the communication network module [322] to enable the 5 provide the system [300] for providing connectivity to subscriber equipment in the network environment.
[0071]
Also, all of the components / units of the system [300] are assumed to be connected to each other unless otherwise indicated below. As shown in FIG. 3, all 10 units shown within the system [300] should also be assumed to be connected to each other. Also, in FIG. 3 only a few units are shown; however, the system [300] may comprise multiple such units or the system [300] may comprise any such numbers of said units, as required to implement the features of the present disclosure. Further, in an implementation, the system [300] may be present in a user 15 device to implement the features of the present disclosure. The system [300] may be a part of a user equipment (UE) or may be independent of but in communication with the UE. In another implementation, the system [300] may reside in a server or a network entity. In yet another implementation, the system [300] may reside partly in the server / network entity and partly in the user device. 20
[0072]
The system [300] is configured for providing connectivity to subscriber equipment in a network environment with the help of the interconnection between the components/units of the system [300].
25
[0073]
Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is to be acknowledged that the functionality described for the various the components/units can be implemented interchangeably. While specific embodiments may disclose a particular functionality of these units for clarity, it is recognized that various configurations and combinations thereof are within the scope of the disclosure. The 30
20
functionality of specific units as disclosed in the disclosure should not be construed
as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Consequently, alternative arrangements and substitutions of units, provided they achieve the intended functionality described herein, are considered to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. 5
[0074]
The transceiver unit [302] is configured to receive, via a customer premise equipment (CPE) [320], from a one or more subscriber equipment (SE), a request for connection with the CPE [320]. In an embodiment, the CPE [320] refers to a type of User Equipment (UE) that may provide a Local Area Network (LAN) 10 connection in addition to connectivity with a cellular network. The LAN connection includes but may not be limited to Ethernet and Wireless LAN. The CPE [320] may enable one or more devices to connect with it and use the cellular network connection of the CPE [320]. Examples of CPE [320] can include mobile or cellular routers, switches, residential gateways, fixed mobile convergence products, home 15 networking adapters, Internet access gateways, telephones, and set-top boxes. The one or more SE refers to plurality of devices that may connect to the LAN of the CPE [320]. The one or more SE may represent plurality of users accessing the CPE [320] via the LAN connection.
20
[0075]
In an implementation, the request comprises one or more policies, relates to each of the one or more SEs, relating to connectivity of the one or more SEs with the CPE [320] and with the communication network module [322]. The one or more policies may relate to network parameters of the connectivity of the communication network module [322] extended to the one or more SE. The set of policies may 25 further relate to mechanisms for authentication of the one or more SE with either the CPE [320] or with the communication network module [322]. The set of policies may further relate to creation of sessions of the one or more SE in the CPE [320], and with mapping of identification parameters (such as IP addresses and MAC addresses) of the SE with the CPE [320] and/or the communication network module 30 [322]. The set of policies further relate to a subscription plan of users of the one or
21
more SE. the subscription plan may relate to network parameters such as, without
limitations, a cost of connection, a speed of connection, a duration of connection, number of devices allowed for connection, etc., for each SE with the CPE [320].
[0076]
The establishing unit [304] is connected at least to the transceiver unit [302]. 5 The establishing unit [304] is configured to establish, from the CPE [320], connectivity between the CPE [320] and the one or more SE. In an implementation of the present disclosure, the connection between the CPE [320] and the one or more SE may be established by a switch. The switch may be a Layer 2 (L2) switch or a Layer 3 (L3) router. The L2 switch refers to a switch that may forward data 10 packets between the CPE [320] and the one or more SE and interconnect the CPE [320] and the one or more SE at a Media Access Control (MAC) layer. The L3 router refers to a switch that may forward data packets and interconnect the CPE [320] and the one or more SE in different network layers. Further, the L3 router may provide routing protocols for routing different network layers. In an 15 implementation, the IP address allocation module may be configured in the switch.
[0077]
The connection unit [306] is connected at least to the establishing unit [304]. The connection unit [306] is configured to connect the CPE [320] with the communication network module [322]. The communication network module [322] 20 is an extended cellular core network (ECCN) module. The ECCN module refers to an extended functionality of a Cellular Core Network (CCN). In the known art, a standard CCN may only identify a CPE [320] session. The standard CCN may not be able to identify a SE session as a subset of the CPE [320] session. The ECCN identifies a session of the CPE [320] and sessions of the one or more SE in the 25 communication network module [322] where the sessions of the one or more SE are created as a subset of the session of the CPE [320].
[0078]
The extension unit [308] is connected at least to the connection unit [306]. The extension unit [308] is configured to extend, via the CPE [320], connectivity 30
22
of the communication network module
[322] to the one or more SE. In an implementation of the present disclosure, the communication network module [322] (i.e., the ECCN) may be connected to the one or more SE via the CPE based on IP addresses or MAC addresses.
5
[0079]
The identification unit [310] is connected at least to the extension unit [308]. In an embodiment, to extend, by the via the CPE [320], connectivity of the communication network module [322] to the one or more SE, the identification unit [310] is configured to generate, via an IP address allocation module, internet protocol (IP) addresses for the one or more SE. In an embodiment, the IP address 10 allocation module is a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) module. DHCP is a protocol used to automate network parameter assignment to network devices from one or more DHCP servers. DHCP allocation of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses operates on a client/server model in which the server assigns reusable IP information from an address pool to the client. In another embodiment, the IP 15 address allocation module is a static IP address allocation module.
[0080]
In an implementation, in case of static IP addresses, the static IP address allocation module is communicably connected to at least one of the CPE [320] and the communication network module [322]. The static IP address allocation module 20 is configured to have a predefined allocation of static IP addresses with each of the one or more SE stored therein. The predefined mapping is shared with at least one of the CPE [320] and the communication network module [322] during authentication of the one or more SE. After the one or more SE are authenticated, the connectivity is extended by the communication network module [322] to the 25 one or more SE, and the based on the predefined mapping of the IP addresses with the one or more SE, each of the one or more SE is identified by the network communication module [322] or by the CPE [320]. The policies determining the network parameters are accordingly applied.
30
23
[0081]
In another embodiment, to extend, by the via the CPE [320], connectivity of the communication network module [322] to the one or more SE, the identification unit [310] is configured to retrieve, based on data traffic at the CPE [320], MAC addresses of the one or more SE. A media access control (MAC) address is an identifier assigned to a network 5 interface of a computing device to allow for low level (e.g., layer 2 or data link layer in the Open Systems Interconnection model) communications between devices on a shared network medium.
[0082]
The transceiver unit [302] is further at least connected to the identification 10 unit [310]. The transceiver unit [302] is configured to transmit at least one of the generated IP addresses, and the retrieved MAC addresses to at least one of the one or more SE, and the communication network module [322].
[0083]
The authentication unit [312] is connected at least to the establishing unit 15 [304]. To establish, via the CPE [320], connectivity between the CPE [320] and the one or more SE, the authentication unit [312] is configured to authenticate, via an authentication agent function (AAF) module, the one or more SE based on the received request from the one or more SE. The AAF module refers to the authentication protocol implementation of the third layer, like the NAAP 20 protocol, the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) Authentication Protocol or Key Exchange (IKE) Protocol implementation. The AAF modules may not necessarily be in the same physical network element implemented, but it is possible to use the Access control function instead in the access point device or another device to implement the AAF functionality. In alternate embodiments, the AAF module may 25 be a part of a distributed network, and may be communicably connected to different components of the system [300], or to other systems and/or devices via the distributed network.
24
[0084]
In an embodiment, a positive authentication is determined based on successful mapping of the IP addresses or MAC addresses of the one or more SE with the CPE [320]. In an event of positive authentication, the transceiver unit [302], which is further at least connected to the authentication unit [312], is configured to transmit, via the AAP module, at least one of the generated IP 5 addresses and the retrieved MAC addresses of the corresponding SE to at least one of the one or more SE, and the communication network module [322].
[0085]
In an embodiment, the transceiver unit [302] is configured to transmit the generated IP addresses to the one or more SE, and to the communication network 10 module [322]. In other words, the system [300] enables a mapping of the IP addresses of the one or more SE with the CPE [320] to be shared and/or stored at the one or more SE, the CPE [320], and the network communication module [322].
[0086]
In another embodiment, the transceiver unit [302] is configured to transmit 15 the MAC address of the one or more SE to the one or more SE and to the communication network module [322]. In other words, the system [300] enables a mapping of the MAC addresses of the one or more SE with the CPE [320] to be shared and/or stored at the one or more SE, the CPE [320], and the network communication module [322]. 20
[0087]
In different implementations, at least one of the IP address allocation module, and the AAF module is configured in at least one of the CPE [320], the switch, and the communication network module [322]. In an implementation, the IP address allocation module, and the AAF module are together configured in any 25 one of the CPE [320], the switch, and the communication network module [322]. In another implementation, the IP address allocation module, and the AAF module are independently configured in any one of the CPE [320], the switch, and the communication network module [322].
30
25
[0088]
The session unit [314] is connected at least to the extension unit [308]. The session unit [314] is configured to create a session of the CPE [320] and sessions of the one or more SE in the communication network module [322]. The sessions of the one or more SE are created as a subset of the session of the CPE [320]. In an implementation, upon receiving the IP address of the one or more SE at the 5 communication network module [322], the communication network module [322] may create a SE session as a subset of the CPE [320] session to apply policy and charging on individual SE session as per the user plan subscribed by the user. In an implementation, the communication network module [322] may continuously monitor the SE session and delete the SE session in case any one or more SE is no 10 longer connected to the CPE [320].
[0089]
The application unit [316] is at least connected to the extension unit [308]. The application unit [316] is configured to apply, via the CPE [320], from a data packet inspection (DPI) module provided in the communication network module 15 [322], a set of policies to each of the one or more SE. Each set of policies relates to network parameters of the connectivity of the communication network module [322]extended to the one or more SE. The set of policies may refer to policy and charging on the SE session according to a user plan subscribed by a user of an SE.
20
[0090]
While the term CPE [320] is used with respect to this specific type of UE for the sake of describing the invention, the invention does not depend on or restrict the placing the CPE [320] in customer premises. The CPE [320] can be of any form-factor. The intended use of CPE [320] could be static or mobile.
25
[0091]
In a traditional/ known implementation, each home gateway (HGW) is connected to a unique CPE [320] on 4G/5G network. Each HGW may provide Internet connectivity to user devices. In an exemplary implementation of the present solution, an Outdoor Customer Premise Equipment (ODCPE) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) are used as a network device along with a Residential 30
26
Multiple Dwelling Unit (RMDU)
. This creates the possibility to provide services to multiple customers by using a single ODCPE to provide the same bandwidth required for home broadband. In addition to requiring the same bandwidth, the CPE [320] may identify the subscriber equipment to apply internet policy and charging policy as per subscriber plan, if the CPE [320] is connected to multiple home 5 gateways.
[0092]
The present disclosure, in this exemplary implementation, includes installing a CPE [320] on a preferred location, for example, a building rooftop, etc. which connects to a network, such as, a 5G network over a licensed band using 5G 10 SIM. Since the device is installed on the building rooftop, its direction and angle can be easily adjusted for the best reception and throughput. One or more SE may be coupled to the CPE [320] via a wired or a wireless LAN connection. The one or more SE may be associated with one or more corresponding users, and for each SE, there may be a different policy to be applied. The policy may relate to network 15 parameters or a subscription of the user to the network. The network parameters may include, without limitations, speed, costs, etc. of the network. The one or more SE transmit a request to the CPE [320] for connectivity. The CPE [320] may provide a connectivity between the CPE [320] and the one or more SE based on authentication of the one or more SE. To authenticate the one or more SE, the CPE 20 [320] may include an authentication module, or the CPE [320] may transmit the request to the ECCN for authentication, in which case, the ECCN may have the authentication module. In response to a positive authentication, identification of the one or more SE may be provided. The identification may include one or dynamic IP, static IP and MAC addresses. Dynamic IP may be generated by a dynamic host 25 configuration protocol (DHCP) module. The DHCP module may be configured in the CPE [320]. The static IP may be predetermined and mapped. A map of the IP addresses and the SE may be stored in the CPE [320]. The MAC address may be obtained by the CPE [320] or by the ECCN through monitoring of data traffic between the CPE [320] and the one or more SE. Once the identification mapping is 30
27
created, or generated, it is transmitted to the ECCN. The ECCN may identify the
different SE, and may apply individual policies to the different SE.
[0093]
Identification of a user device is important for applying internet policies and charging plans/policies, etc. The one or more SE may be identified during an 5 authentication process. The SEs may be identified by the Extended Cellular Core Network (ECCN) in the process of establishing a CPE [320] session. For creating the SE awareness in the ECCN, the CPE [320] may need to authenticate the one or more SE with the help of ECCN and also needs to pass the IP addresses and the MAC addresses of the SE to the ECCN. The functionality required in CPE [320] 10 for this is termed as Authentication Agent Function (AAF).
[0094]
Referring to FIG. 4, an exemplary method flow diagram [400] for providing connectivity to subscriber equipment in the network environment, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure, is shown. In an 15 implementation, the method [400] is performed by the system [300]. Further, in an implementation, the system [300] may be present in a server device to implement the features of the present disclosure. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the method [400] starts at step [402].
20
[0095]
At step 404, the method [400] comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit [302] via the CPE, from the one or more SE, the request for connection with the CPE.
[0096]
At step 406, the method [400] comprises establishing, by the establishing 25 unit [304] connected at least to the transceiver unit [302], from the CPE, connectivity between the CPE and the one or more SE.
28
[0097]
At step 408, the method [400] comprises connecting, by the connection unit [306] connected at least to the establishing unit [304], the CPE with the communication network module.
[0098]
At step 410, the method [400] comprises extending, by the extension unit 5 [308] connected at least to the connection unit [306], via the CPE, connectivity of the communication network module to the one or more SE.
[0099]
In an embodiment, the step of extending, by the extension unit [308] via the CPE, connectivity of the communication network module to the one or more SE 10 comprises at least generating, by the identification unit [310] connected at least to the extension unit [308], via the IP address allocation module, IP addresses for the one or more SE.
[0100]
In another embodiment, the step of extending, by the extension unit [308] 15 via the CPE, connectivity of the communication network module to the one or more SE comprises at least retrieving, by the identification unit [310], based on data traffic at the CPE, MAC addresses of the one or more SE.
[0101]
The method [400] further comprises transmitting, by the transceiver unit 20 [302], at least one of the generated IP addresses, and the retrieved MAC addresses to at least one of the one or more SE, and the communication network module.
[0102]
The step of establishing, by the establishing unit [304] via the CPE, connectivity between the CPE and the one or more SE comprises: authenticating, 25 by the authentication unit [312] connected at least to the establishing unit [304] via an authentication agent function (AAF) module, the one or more SE based on the received request from the one or more SE. The step of establishing, by the establishing unit [304] via the CPE, connectivity between the CPE and the one or more SE further comprises: transmitting, by the transceiver unit [302] via the AAF 30
29
module, at least one of the generated IP addresses, and the retrieved MAC addresses
of the corresponding SE to at least one of the one or more SE and the communication network module.
[0103]
The method [400] further comprises creating, by the session unit [314] 5 connected at least to the extension unit [308], the session of the CPE and sessions of the one or more SE in the communication network module, and wherein the sessions of the one or more SE are created as a subset of the session of the CPE.
[0104]
The method [400] further comprises applying, by an application unit [316] 10 connected at least the to the extension unit [308], via the CPE, from the DPI module provided in the communication network module, a set of policies to each of the one or more SE, and wherein each set of policies relates to network parameters of the connectivity of the communication network module extended to the one or more SE. 15
[0105]
The method terminates at step [412].
[0106]
Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary system [500] architecture for providing connectivity to one or more SE in the network environment is illustrated, in 20 accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. In FIG. 5, a CPE [504] is configured with the AAF module and the IP Address allocation module. All components of the system [500] are assumed to be connected to each other for the implementation of features of the present invention unless indicated otherwise in the disclosure below. 25
[0107]
As shown in FIG. 5, the CPE [504] is configured with the Authentication Agent Function (AAF) module [514] and the IP address allocation module for the one or more SE (SE-1, SE-2, SE-3…SE-n). In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the IP address allocation module is a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) 30
30
module, and herein, with reference to FIG. 5, the IP address allocation module may
be interchangeably referred to as the DHCP module [512]. The system [500] comprises a switch [502], the CPE [504] which may alternatively be configured with the AAF module [514] and the DHCP module [512]. The system [500] further includes a cellular radio network [506], an ECCN [508], and a data network [510]. 5
[0108]
The switch [502] may be an L2 switch or an L3 router. The one or more SE may be connected to the CPE [504] via the switch [502].
[0109]
In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, at 10 least one of the one or more SE may initiate a DHCP signaling request for obtaining an IP address. Upon receiving the DHCP signaling request from the at least one of the one or more SE, the Authentication Agent Function (AAF) module [514] residing in the CPE [504] may get the at least one of the one or more SE authenticated by the ECCN [508]. In an embodiment, the ECCN [508] refers to an 15 extended functionality of a Cellular Core Network (CCN). The ECCN [508] identifies a session of the CPE and sessions of the one or more SE in the communication network module wherein the sessions of the one or more SE are created as a subset of the session of the CPE. The AAF in the CPE [504] may inform the ECCN [508] about the mapping of IP address to the one or more SE so that the 20 ECCN [508] can create a SE session as a subset of the CPE session.
[0110]
Further, the ECCN [508] may authenticate the one or more SE upon receiving an indication from the AAF module [514] in the CPE [504]. The ECCN [508] may send the indication to the CPE [504] for authenticating the one or more 25 SE. Further, in this implementation, on successful authentication, the CPE [504] may act as the DHCP module and assign an internet protocol (IP) address to the SE.
[0111]
Further, the AAF module [514] and DHCP module may also be implemented by the switch [502] in the CPE’s [504] local area network (LAN). 30
31
Further, in this implementation, the AAF
module [514] may inform the ECCN [508] about the mapping of IP address to the one or more SE so that the ECCN [508] may create a SE session as a subset of the CPE [504] session. Further, the ECCN [508] may apply internet policy and charging policy on the SE session as per the user plan. Further, if the SE is no longer connected to the CPE [504], the 5 AAF module [514] may inform the same to ECCN [508].
[0112]
In an exemplary implementation of the system [500], after establishing a CPE session, the one or more SE may send an IP assignment request to the switch [502] or the CPE [504]. The switch [502] or the CPE [504] may send an 10 authentication request for authenticating the one or more SE to the ECCN [508]. The ECCN [508] may send an authentication response back to the switch [502] or the CPE [504]. Based on the authentication response, the switch [502] or the CPE [504] may allocate the IP and send an IP assignment response to the one or more SE. Further, based on the authentication request/response transaction to the one or 15 more SE, an SE session is created as a subset of the CPE session in the ECCN [508]. A protocol between the one or more SE and the switch [502] and the CPE [504] may be DHCPv4 or DHCPv6. The protocol between the switch [502] or the CPE [504] to the ECCN [508] may be RADIUS, DIAMETER or HTTP. The switch [502] or the CPE [504] may start accounting based on the SE identity and the IP 20 assigned to the one or more SE. The accounting response may be sent to the ECCN [508]. The ECCN [508] may apply charging policy on the one or more SE connected to the switch [502] or the CPE [504] on the basis of the user plan subscribed by the user. If at least one of the one or more SE is switched off, the switch [502] or the CPE [504] may detect non-connectivity of the at least one of the 25 one or more SE. The switch [502] or the CPE [504] may send accounting stop to the ECCN [508] for the at least one of the one or more SE, and the stop accounting response may be sent back by the ECCN [508] to the switch [502] or the CPE [504] after deleting the one of the one or more SE session.
30
32
[0113]
Referring to FIG. 6, another exemplary system [600] architecture for providing connectivity to SE in a network environment, where a CPE [504] is configured with the DHCP module [512], in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure is shown. All components of the system are assumed to be connected to each other for the implementation of features of the 5 present invention unless indicated otherwise in the disclosure below.
[0114]
Referring now to FIGs. 5 and 6, the CPE [504] is configured with the DHCP module [512] for the one or more SE (SE-1, SE-2, SE-3…SE-n). The system [600] comprises the switch [502], the CPE [504], the cellular radio network [506], the 10 ECCN [508], and the data network [510].
[0115]
At least one of the one or more SE may initiate DHCP signaling request for obtaining an IP address at the CPE [504]. The CPE [504] may forward DHCP message between the one or more SE and the DHCP relay in the CPE [504] to the 15 ECCN [508].
[0116]
On receiving the DHCP message from the one or more SE, the ECCN [508] may authenticate the at least one of the one or more SE. Further, the ECCN [508] may create a SE session as subset of the CPE session and may assign IP address 20 (from the IPv6 prefix allocated to the CPE) to the one or more SE. In an embodiment, the AAF module [514] may be configured with the ECCN [508], and may be configured to authenticate the one or more SE.
[0117]
The ECCN [508] applies policy and charging on the SE session as per the 25 user plan. The ECCN [508] may continuously monitor the SE session and delete the SE session in case the at least one of the one or more SE is no longer connected to the CPE [504].
33
[0118]
In an exemplary implementation of the system [600], after establishing a CPE session, the one or more SE may send an IP assignment request to the switch [502] or the CPE [504]. The switch [502] or the CPE [504] may forward the IP assignment request of one or more SE to the ECCN [508]. The ECCN [508] may authenticate the SE locally. Based on the authentication response, the ECCN [508] 5 may send the IP assignment response to the switch [502] or the CPE [504] which then may forward the IP assignment response to the one or more SE. Further, based on the IP assignment to the one or more SE, an SE session is created as a subset of the CPE session in the ECCN [508]. A protocol between the one or more SE, and the switch [502] or the CPE [504], and the ECCN [508] may be DHCPv4 or 10 DHCPv6. The ECCN [508] may apply charging policy on the one or more SE connected to the switch [502] or the CPE [504] on the basis of the user plan subscribed by the user. The ECCN [508] may continuously monitor the SE sessions and if at least one of the one or more SE is switched off, the ECCN [508] may detect non-connectivity of the at least one of the one or more SE and the ECCN [508] may 15 delete the SE session.
[0119]
Referring to FIG. 7, another exemplary system [700] architecture for providing connectivity to SE in a network environment, where at least one of the one or more SE authenticates itself directly with the cellular network, in accordance 20 with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure is shown. All components of the system are assumed to be connected to each other for the implementation of features of the present invention unless indicated otherwise in the disclosure below.
25
[0120]
Referring now to FIGs. 5 to 7, the at least one of the one or more SE (SE-1, SE-2, SE-3…SE-n) may directly authenticate itself with the cellular network. The system [700] comprises the switch [502], the CPE [504], a cellular radio network [506], an ECCN [508], and the data network [510]. In an embodiment, the system [700] further comprises the AAF module [514]. 30
34
[0121]
The at least one of the one or more SE may initiate a DHCP signaling for obtaining IP address at the CPE [504]. The CPE [504] may act as the DHCP module. Further, the CPE [504] may assign the IP address to the one or more SE.
[0122]
The one or more SE may authenticate itself directly with the ECCN [508] 5 and sends the IP address assigned to the one or more SE by the DHCP module in the CPE [504], to the ECCN [508]. In an embodiment, the AAF module [514] may be configured with the ECCN [508], and may be configured to authenticate the one or more SE.
10
[0123]
The ECCN [508] may create a SE session as a subset of the CPE session. The ECCN [508] may apply policy and charging on the SE session as per the user plan. The ECCN [508] may continuously monitor the SE session and may delete or remove the one or more SE in case of inactivity in the SE session. The one or more SE may not interact with the ECCN [508] to help the ECCN [508] to manage the 15 SE session.
[0124]
In an exemplary implementation of the system [700], after establishing a CPE session, the one or more SE may send an IP assignment request to the switch [502] or the CPE [504]. The switch [502] or the CPE [504] may send an IP 20 assignment response to the one or more SE. The data network access of the one or more SE may be barred by default at the ECCN [508]. The SE by its own may send an authentication request for authenticating itself to the ECCN [508]. The ECCN [508] may send an authentication response back to the SE. Further, based on the authentication transaction to the one or more SE, SE session is created as a subset 25 of the CPE session in the ECCN [508]. A protocol between the one or more SE and the switch [502] and the CPE [504] may be DHCPv4 or DHCPv6. The protocol between the SE to the ECCN [508] may be RADIUS, DIAMETER or HTTP. The ECCN [508] may apply charging policy on the one or more SE connected to the switch [502] or the CPE [504] on the basis of the user plan subscribed by the user. 30
35
If at least one of the one or more SE is switched off, the ECCN [508] may detect
non-connectivity of the at least one of the one or more SE and the ECCN [508] may delete the SE session.
[0125]
Referring to FIG. 8, another exemplary system [800] architecture for 5 providing connectivity to SE in a network environment, where pre-defined IP addresses are sent to the SE, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure is shown. All components of the system are assumed to be connected to each other for the implementation of features of the present invention unless indicated otherwise in the disclosure below. 10
[0126]
Referring now to FIGs. 5 to 8, the CPE [504] acts as the DHCP module for the one or more SE (SE-1, SE-2, SE-3…SE-n). The system [500] comprises a switch [502], the CPE [504] which may act as the DHCP module [512], a cellular radio network [506], an ECCN [508], and a data network [510]. In an 15 implementation of the present disclosure, the DHCP module [512] in the CPE [504] may comprise statically allocated IPv6 prefix. The IPv6 prefix is statically allocated to the CPE [504] by the cellular network.
[0127]
In the IPv6 prefix, the IP address mapping to one or more SE may also be 20 pre-defined. The IP address mapping to the one or more SE may be provisioned in the CPE [504]. The CPE [504] may assign the IP address to one or more SE based on a request for assignment of IP address by the one or more SE.
[0128]
In another implementation, the one or more SE may be statically configured 25 with a corresponding IP address.
[0129]
The ECCN [508] may also be provisioned for the IP address mapping for the one or more SE. Further, the ECCN [508] may create a SE session as a subset of the CPE session based on the IP address mapping provisioned in the ECCN 30
36
[
508]. The ECCN [508] may apply policy and charging on the SE session as per the user plan.
[0130]
In an embodiment, the AAF module [514] may be configured with the CPE [504] and/or ECCN [508], and may be configured to authenticate the one or more 5 SE.
[0131]
In an exemplary implementation of the system [800], the identity of the one or more SE is already mapped with the IP addresses, and is available at the switch [502] or the CPE [504] and the ECCN [508]. The one or more SE may send an IP 10 assignment request to the switch [502] or the CPE [504] after the CPE [504] session is established with the ECCN [508]. An SE session is created as a subset of the CPE session at the ECCN [508]. Based on the authentication at the switch [502] or the CPE [504] or the ECCN [508], the switch [502] or the CPE [504] may send the IP assignment response to the one or more SE. A protocol between the one or more 15 SE and the switch [502] and the CPE [504] may be DHCPv4 or DHCPv6. The ECCN [508] allow data network access to the one or more SE and the ECCN [508] may apply charging policy on the one or more SE connected to the switch [502] or the CPE [504] on the basis of the user plan subscribed by the user.
20
[0132]
Referring to FIG. 9, another exemplary system [900] architecture for providing connectivity to SE in a network environment, where MAC address is used to identify the SE, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure is shown. All components of the system are assumed to be connected to each other for the implementation of features of the present invention unless 25 indicated otherwise in the disclosure below.
[0133]
Referring now to FIGs. 5 to 9, the CPE [504] acts as the DHCP module [512] for the one or more SE (SE-1, SE-2, SE-3…SE-n). The system [900] comprises a switch [502], the CPE [504] which may act as the DHCP module [512], 30
37
a cellular radio network [
506], an ECCN [508], and a data network [510]. In an implementation of the present disclosure, the DHCP module may use an Extended Domain Name System (EDNS0) to identify the one or more SE at the ECCN [508].
[0134]
The one or more SE may support sending EDNS0 option in Domain Name 5 System (DNS) requests. The EDNS0 option may contain a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the one or more SE.
[0135]
The ECCN [508] may perform a deep packet inspection (DPI) of the CPE [504] traffic. The DPI refers to a method of monitoring and examining the contents 10 of the data packets in the CPE [504] traffic and retrieves the EDNS0 option which contains the MAC address of the one or more SE.
[0136]
Based on the retrieved MAC address of the one or more SE, the ECCN [508] may authenticate the one or more SE. Further, the ECCN [508] may create a SE 15 session as a subset of the CPE session. The ECCN [508] may apply policy and charging on the SE session as per the user plan.
[0137]
In an embodiment, the AAF module [514] may be configured with the ECCN [508], and may be configured to authenticate the one or more SE. 20
[0138]
In an exemplary implementation of the system [900], after establishing a CPE session, the one or more SE may send an IP assignment request to the switch [502] or the CPE [504]. The switch [502] or the CPE [504] may send an IP assignment response to the one or more SE. The data network access of the one or 25 more SE may be blocked by default at the ECCN [508]. The one or more SE may send a Domain Name System (DNS) request with an EDNS0 option which contains the MAC addresses of the one or more SE for resolving IP address of any website/domain before accessing it. The DPI function in the ECCN [508] may extract the MAC addresses of the one or more SE from the EDNS0 option inserted 30
38
by the SE in the DNS request message. The ECCN [508] may authenticate the
plurality if SE based on the SE MAC address provided. Further, based on the authentication transaction to the one or more SE, an SE session is created as a subset of the CPE session in the ECCN [508] and data service is allowed. A Protocol between SE and the switch [502] or the CPE [504] can be DHCPv4 or DHCPv6. 5 The ECCN [508] may apply charging policy on the one or more SE connected to the switch [502] or the CPE [504] on the basis of the user plan subscribed by the user. The DNS request of the one or more SE may be forwarded to a DNS server. The DNS server may send an DNS response to the at least one of the one or more SE. If at least one of the one or more SE is switched off, the ECCN [508] may detect 10 non-connectivity of the at least one of the one or more SE and the ECCN [508] may delete the SE session.
[0139]
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a customer premise equipment (CPE). The CPE is configured to receive, from a transceiver unit, from 15 one or more subscriber equipment (SE), a request for connection with the CPE. The CPE is further configured to establish, by an establishing unit connected at least to the transceiver, connectivity between the CPE and the one or more SE. The CPE is further configured to connect, by a connection unit connected at least to the establishing unit, with a communication network module. The CPE is configured 20 to extend, by an extension unit connected at least to the connection unit, via the CPE, connectivity of the communication network module to the one or more SE.
[0140]
Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for providing connectivity 25 to subscriber equipment in a network environment, the instructions include executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a transceiver unit of the system to receive, at a customer premise equipment, from a one or more subscriber equipment (SE), a request for connection with the CPE; an establishing unit to establish, from the CPE, connectivity between the CPE and the 30 one or more SE; a connection unit to connect the CPE with a communication
39
network module; and an extension unit to extend, via the CPE, connectivity of the
communication network module to the one or more SE.
[0141]
As is evident from the above, the present disclosure provides a technically advanced solution for providing connectivity to subscriber equipment in a network 5 environment. The present solution provides a method and system for sharing single customer premise equipment across multiple home gateways thereby reducing the cost without any deterioration in user experience.
[0142]
The present invention further provides a solution that makes optimum 10 utilization of the CPE resources by sharing the resource as well as available bandwidth across multiple users across multiple home gateways and applying internet policies and charging plans/policies on the subscriber equipment by identifying the subscriber equipment more effectively.
15
[0143]
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the disclosed implementations, it will be appreciated that many implementations can be made and that many changes can be made to the implementations without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. These and other changes in the implementations of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, whereby it is to 20 be understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented is illustrative and non-limiting.

We Claim:

1. A method [400] for providing connectivity to subscriber equipment in a network environment, the method [400] comprising:
-
receiving, by a transceiver unit [302] via a customer premise equipment 5 (CPE), from one or more subscriber equipment (SE), a request for connection with the CPE;
-
establishing, by an establishing unit [304] connected at least to the transceiver unit [302], from the CPE, connectivity between the CPE and the one or more SE; 10
-
connecting, by a connection unit [306] connected at least to the establishing unit [304], the CPE with a communication network module; and
-
extending, by an extension unit [308] connected at least to the connection unit [306], via the CPE, connectivity of the communication network 15 module to the one or more SE.

2. The method [400] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of extending, by the extension unit [308] via the CPE, connectivity of the communication network module to the one or more SE comprises at least one of: 20
-
generating, by an identification unit [310] connected at least to the extension unit [308], via an IP address allocation module, IP addresses for the one or more SE; and
-
retrieving, by the identification unit [310], based on data traffic at the CPE, MAC addresses of the one or more SE; 25
wherein, the method [400] further comprises:
-
transmitting, by the transceiver unit [302], at least one of the generated IP addresses, and the retrieved MAC addresses to at least one of the one or more SE, and the communication network module.

3. The method [400] as claimed in claim 2, wherein the step of establishing, by the establishing unit [304] via the CPE, connectivity between the CPE and the one or more SE comprises:
-
authenticating, by an authentication unit [312] connected at least to the establishing unit [304] via an authentication agent function (AAF) 5 module, the one or more SE based on the received request from the one or more SE; and
-
transmitting, by the transceiver unit [302] via the AAF module, at least one of the generated IP addresses, and the retrieved MAC addresses of the corresponding SE to at least one of the one or more SE and the 10 communication network module.

4. The method [400] as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one of the IP address allocation module, and the AAF module is configured in at least one of the CPE, a switch located between the CPE and the one or more SE, and the 15 communication network module.

5. The method [400] as claimed in claim 3, wherein the IP address allocation module is at least one of a static IP address allocation module, and a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) module. 20

6. The method [400] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method [400] comprises creating, by a session unit [314] connected at least to the extension unit [308], a session of the CPE and sessions of the one or more SE in the communication network module, and wherein the sessions of the one or more SE are created 25 as a subset of the session of the CPE.

7. The method [400] as claimed in claim 6, wherein the method [400] comprises applying, by an application unit [316] connected at least to the extension unit [308], via the CPE, from a data packet inspection (DPI) module provided in
the communication network module, a set of policies to each of the one or
more SE, and wherein each set of policies relates to network parameters of the connectivity of the communication network module extended to the one or more SE.

8. The method [400] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication network module is an extended cellular core network (ECCN) module.

9.The method [400] as claimed in claim 4, wherein the connectivity between the switch and the one or more SE is via a local area network (LAN).

10.A system [300] for providing connectivity to subscriber equipment in a network environment, the system [300] comprising:
-
a transceiver unit [302] configured to:
-
receive, at a customer premise equipment (CPE), from a one or more 15 subscriber equipment (SE), a request for connection with the CPE;
-
an establishing unit [304] connected at least to the transceiver unit [302], the establishing unit [304] configured to:
-
establish, from the CPE, connectivity between the CPE and the one or more SE;
-
a connection unit [306] connected at least to the establishing unit [304], the connection unit [306] configured to:
-
connect the CPE with a communication network module; and
-
an extension unit [308] connected at least to the connection unit [306], the extension unit [308] configured to: 25
-
extend, via the CPE, connectivity of the communication network module to the one or more SE.

11. The system [300] as claimed in claim 10, wherein, the system [300] comprises an identification unit [310] connected at least to the extension unit [308], and wherein, to extend, via the CPE, connectivity of the communication network module to the one or more SE, the identification unit [310] is configured to at least one of: 5
-
generate, via an internet protocol (IP) address allocation module, IP addresses for the one or more SE; and
-
retrieve, based on data traffic at the CPE, MAC addresses of the one or more SE;
wherein, the transceiver unit [302] is configured to: 10
-
transmit at least one of the generated IP addresses, and the retrieved MAC addresses to at least one of the one or more SE, and the communication network module.

12. The system [300] as claimed in claim 10, wherein, the system [300] comprises 15 an authentication unit [312] connected at least to the establishing unit [304], and wherein, to establish, via the CPE, connectivity between the CPE and the one or more SE, the authentication unit [312] is configured to:
-
authenticate, via an authentication agent function (AAF) module, the one or more SE based on the received request from the one or more SE; and 20
wherein the transceiver unit [302] is configured to:
-
transmit, via the AAF module, at least one of the generated IP addresses, and the retrieved MAC addresses of the corresponding SE to at least one of the one or more SE and the communication network module.

13. The system [300] as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one of the IP address allocation module, and the AAF module is configured in at least one of the CPE, a switch located between the CPE and the one or more SE, and the communication network module.

14. The system [300] as claimed in claim 12, wherein the IP address allocation module is at least one of a static IP address allocation module, and a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) module.

15. The system [300] as claimed in claim 10, wherein the system [300] comprises a session unit [314] connected at least to the extension unit [308], wherein the session unit [314] is configured to create a session of the CPE and sessions of the one or more SE in the communication network module, and wherein the sessions of the one or more SE are created as a subset of the session of the CPE. 10

16. The system [300] as claimed in claim 15, wherein the system [300] comprises an application unit [316] connected at least to the extension unit [308], wherein the application unit [316] is configured to apply, via the CPE, from a data packet inspection (DPI) module provided in the communication 15 network module, a set of policies to each of the one or more SE, and wherein each set of policies relates to network parameters of the connectivity of the communication network module extended to the one or more SE.

17. The system [300] as claimed in claim 10, wherein the communication 20 network module is an extended cellular core network (ECCN) module.

18.The system [300] as claimed in claim 13, wherein the connectivity between the switch and the one or more SE is via a local area network (LAN).

19.A customer premise equipment (CPE) configured to:
-
receive, from a transceiver unit, [302] from one or more subscriber equipment (SE), a request for connection with the CPE;
45
-
establish, by an establishing unit [304] connected at least to the transceiver unit [302], connectivity between the CPE and the one or more SE;
-
connect, by a connection unit [306] connected at least to the establishing unit [304], with a communication network module; and 5
-
extend, by an extension unit [308] connected at least to the connection unit [306], via the CPE, connectivity of the communication network module to the one or more SE.

Dated this the 12th Day of August, 2023
(GARIMA SAHNEY)
IN/PA-1826