Bridged Virtual Tunnel with NAT for Heterogeneous Network Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data traffic management solutions require configuration of intermediate routers and network address renumbering when connecting networks with overlapping spaces, complicating data packet flow and VPN setups.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a bridged virtual tunnel combined with network address translation (NAT) to extend the headend network directly to a remote network, eliminating the need for intermediate routers and allowing seamless access without VPN configuration, using a NAT module to map IP addresses and enable communication between heterogeneous networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intermediate routers are configured to provide data packet flow paths between networks, then network connectivity is established, but device complexity and configuration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes intermediate routers from the network path by implementing direct peer-to-peer tunneling between endpoints. The routing function is extracted and replaced with endpoint-based tunnel establishment, eliminating the need for intermediate routing devices and their complex configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary tunnel protocol that enables direct communication between endpoints without traditional routing. The tunnel acts as a virtual intermediary that encapsulates and transports packets directly between source and destination, bypassing the need for intermediate routers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network address renumbering is performed to handle overlapping network spaces, then network compatibility is achieved, but configuration complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses IP address copying/translation at the tunnel endpoints to handle overlapping addresses. Instead of renumbering devices, the tunnel endpoint copies or translates addresses in the packet header, allowing devices to retain their original addresses while achieving compatibility across networks with overlapping address spaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple VPN interfaces and route paths are created between routers, then network flexibility increases, but route table management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the networking functions by separating tunnel establishment from routing. Each endpoint independently manages its own tunnel connections without requiring coordinated route table updates across multiple routers. This segmentation eliminates the complexity of managing distributed route tables while maintaining flexible multi-path connectivity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is that of systems and methods for communications between one or more networks and subsequently network devices configured with a networking application for processing network based communications when the devices are on different logical and physical networks. The methods herein involve translation of remote IP addresses of LAN devices to addresses comprising headend network prefixes, to allow for LAN extension of remote to headend networks and communications between devices on the disparate networks. Data packets from a remote LAN interface are transferred to an outbound interface once translated, then forwarded via a formed bridged tunnel link to a headend network device. A server comprising a local LAN and outbound interface is further configured with a NAT module for IP address translation and an optional security module for additional authenticity verification of remote devices attempting to penetrate the headend network.