LANBOT: Auto-configuration of interdependent devices in a LAN

LANBOT is a versatile LAN setup and installation utility. Users of all levels can automatically configure their devices in their LAN to optimal settings. LANBOT automatically resolves conflicts (e.g. port conflicts), configures both hardware and software (e.g. X-Pro softphones) and provides a common user interface in at least three different languages. For ISPs, LANBOT will be the tool of choice to bring new and existing customers online.

Watch LANBOT in action:

Auto-configuration using LANBOT
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Project details:

Project name: LANBOT (LAN robot)
Project started: 2004-12-28
 

• Topics: Computer Network, LAN, WLAN, VoIP, auto-configuration 
• Development Status:
  - Basic object model: ready
  - Already supported function blocks: DHCP servers, firewalls, PPPoE functionality
  - C# runtime compilation: ready
  - Securing device definition files: ready
  - Automatic detection of LAN devices: ready
  - Retrieval of settings from PCs: ready
  - Basic functions for retrieval of settings from other LAN devices: 70%
  - Writing back of new settings to PCs: ready
  - Writing back of new settings to other LAN devices: 0%
  - Auto-configuration: <15%
• Intended Audience: ISPs, Hardware manufacturers, Developers, End Users, System Administrators
• License: Single and volume licenses. License fee is reduced down to 50% for companies actively supporting development.
• Patent situation: Patent pending
• Operating System: MS Windows (2000/XP/2003 Server - Win98/ME/NT4 compatibility is design goal)
• Programming Language: C#
• Languages: English, French, German, Simplified Chinese. Device object definitions are prepared for translation into Chinese language
• User Interface: MS Windows

What is LANBOT

The patent pending LANBOT allows for the automatic analysis and setup of Local Area Networks. The software automatically detects routers and all network devices in a local area network, such as computers, routers, access points, network printers, network storage devices and IP telephones. Rather than a separate user interface for each device, there is one uniform user interface. It shows all devices and conflicts in the same window.

The goal is to have just one button to configure the whole LAN automatically. When this button is pressed, the software analyzes all network and devices and automatically configures them with the most optimal settings.

This automatic configuration will be ideal for all levels of computer users trying to set up a LAN or trying to add additional LAN devices like access points, IP telephones, etc. . This type of software will most likely become a standard in the network and communication community. Hardware and software devices can come automatically equipped with the software. Or the software can be offered for download by service providers. Potential customers and interested parties include service providers, hardware and software manufacturers, academic institutions, companies and end customers.


Is this new? Does UPnP not do this?
Universal plug-and-play (UPnP) only enables applications to programmatically control networking devices. Controlling a set of devices has not much to do with configuring them so that they function well without producing collisions.

LANBOT is new and visitors who understand the underlying concept may notice to what extent this invention will revolutionize the computer industry.


Principle of operation

LANBOT discovers the local area network by using the http protocol, ftp, upnp or some other standard protocol or a combination of several standard protocols. As almost 100% of all network devices can be configured with a standard web browser, the software simply emulates web browser and interactions with an expert user.

In order to locate devices in the LAN, the TCP/IP address of the computer and the subnet mask are used to locate all LAN devices that are currently connected.

LAN devices generally answer to http get commands by sending back an html page containing a device identifier, manufacturer info and a request to enter user name and password. If LANBOT can find a corresponding entry for this device in its data base and if the required credentials are available, the software can read all settings into two tables – one table containing resources and the other containing requirements. A resource may be the presence of an ADSL modem and requirements are user name and password for the ADSL modem functionality.

After all settings for reachable and known devices have been recorded, LANBOT subsequently computes a configuration for which the total number of collisions and mutual exclusions of all combined settings for all network devices is minimum.


Example:
LANBOTwill open a couple of TCP/IP ports for an IP phone in the firewall and thus satisfy the requirement of an IP phone, „ports 5060 and 8000 must be open“, by making these settings in the router (which hosts the firewall) using the resource “open ports for device with a certain IP address”. The program will further set up all devices to operate properly with a DHCP server, if present in the LAN. Alternatively it assigns fixed IP addresses for all devices.

After optimized settings have been computed, these new settings are sent to all network devices that require new settings.