Connectivity Platform Address Conflict Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network Address Translators (NATs) disrupt end-to-end connectivity by assigning multiple devices the same private address, leading to communication interference and poor usability due to addressing conflicts, which existing NAT traversal solutions often require custom implementations.
Innovation Solution
A connectivity platform that manages and assigns addresses to ensure non-conflicting addresses, blocking connections if conflicts arise, and provides proprietary connectivity modules to plug into the operating system for seamless communication across firewalls and NATs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If NAT devices are used to allow multiple devices to share the same global IP address, then device connectivity is improved, but end-to-end connectivity is disrupted due to address conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the address space by introducing virtual network identifiers (VNIs) that divide the traditional IP address space into isolated virtual networks. This allows multiple devices to share physical network infrastructure while maintaining separate addressing spaces, eliminating address conflicts and preserving end-to-end connectivity within each virtual network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to addressing by incorporating VNIs alongside traditional IP addresses. This creates a hierarchical addressing structure where addresses are no longer just 32-bit or 128-bit values but include an additional virtual network layer, enabling multiple isolated address spaces to coexist without conflicts.
2Ease of operation
If proprietary connectivity modules are integrated into the operating system, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connectivity modules perform self-configuration and self-management by automatically discovering available network interfaces, assigning appropriate VNIs and IP addresses, and establishing connections without requiring manual user intervention. The system autonomously handles the complexity of network setup while presenting simple usage interfaces to end users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal connectivity modules that can operate across multiple network types (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular, wired) and device platforms. These modules provide a unified interface for various connectivity functions, allowing the same core technology to serve diverse networking needs without requiring separate specialized implementations.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an approach form managing and assigning addresses in a connectivity platform that allows for proprietary connectivity modules (Providers) to plug into the operating system. In this disclosure, when a user/application/computing device, connects to another user on another computing device an address is generated for that user. However, because of a limited number of addresses that are available in an address space, it is necessary to ensure that a conflicting address is not present. To ensure this the connectivity platform determines if the address assigned is in conflict with another address associated with users that are located on the other computing devices. If an address is found to be in conflict the connectivity platform reassigns the address until a non-conflicting address is found. If a non-conflicting address cannot be found the connectivity platform blocks the connection between the user and the other user.