Methods for dynamic router configuration in a mesh network

Abstract

A method for router configuration includes: at a router, collecting DHCP server presence data of a local area network; at the router, collecting NAT server presence data of the local area network; generating a network configuration status based upon the DHCP server presence data and the NAT server presence data; and configuring DHCP server and NAT server settings of the router based on the network configuration status.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for router configuration, the method comprising:
 requesting a connection to a user mobile electronic device;   establishing an internet connection at a router via the user mobile electronic device;   transmitting a router identifier of the router to a remote management platform via the internet connection;   at the remote management platform, identifying a local area network configuration associated with the router identifier; wherein the local area network configuration comprises DHCP server configuration settings, NAT server configuration settings, firewall settings, and wireless access point configuration settings;   transmitting the local area network configuration from the remote management platform to the router via the user mobile electronic device; and   at the router, configuring the DHCP server configuration settings, NAT server configuration settings, firewall settings, and wireless access point configuration settings based on the local area network configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein establishing the internet connection comprises searching for a hidden open access point having a restricted internet connection and temporarily connecting the router to the internet through the restricted internet connection of the hidden open access point. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising at the router, receiving the local area network configuration via the restricted internet connection of the hidden open access point, identifying a primary internet connection using the local area network configuration, and reconnecting the router to the internet via the primary internet connection. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein requesting the connection to the user mobile electronic device comprises requesting the connection via Bluetooth. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein establishing the internet connection comprises connecting to the internet via a cellular internet connection of the user mobile electronic device, the method further comprising using the cellular internet connection to request the local area network configuration from the remote management platform. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at a user device, generating an updated local area network configuration based on user input;   transmitting the updated local area network configuration from the user device to the remote management platform;   at the remote management platform, storing the updated local area network configuration;   transmitting the updated local area network configuration to the router; and   at the router, configuring based on the update local area network configuration.