Coordinator Server for NAT Behavior Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing prevalence of Network Address Translators (NATs) leads to a significant workload for STUN servers, as network devices behind different NATs require assistance in obtaining mapped addresses and assessing NAT behaviors, which is inefficient and burdensome.
Innovation Solution
A network system utilizing a coordinator server and multiple network devices, including full-cone NATs and network devices registered with the coordinator, allows network devices to conduct NAT behavior tests and obtain NAT information without relying on STUN servers, thereby reducing the workload on STUN servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network devices conduct NAT behavior tests through STUN servers, then NAT information can be obtained, but the workload on STUN servers becomes significant and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coordinator server as an intermediary that manages STUN services. Instead of network devices directly querying STUN servers for NAT information, the coordinator server assigns STUN servers to specific network devices, creating a mediated interaction that reduces overall server workload while maintaining information acquisition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the STUN service into multiple instances distributed across different STUN servers, each serving specific network devices. This segmentation distributes the measurement workload across multiple servers rather than concentrating it on a single STUN server, thereby reducing individual server burden.
2Productivity
If multiple network devices register with the coordinator server, then NAT behavior tests can be conducted efficiently, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coordinator server performs multiple functions: it assigns STUN servers to network devices, manages registration of network devices with STUN services, and coordinates NAT behavior tests. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise be separate complex components into a single manageable system element.
Solution Approach 2:
Network devices autonomously register with the coordinator server and receive assignments to STUN servers without manual configuration. The system automatically manages the mapping between network devices and STUN servers, reducing the operational complexity of deploying and managing the system.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to provide a network system, which comprises a coordinator server located in a public network; first and second NATs (Network Address Translators) located in first and second private networks and configured as a full-cone NAT, respectively; first and second network devices located in the first and second private networks and connected to the public network through the first and second NATs, respectively, wherein each of the first and second network devices has registered two mapped addresses with the coordinator server, respectively; a third NAT located in a third private network; and a third network device located in the third private network and connected to the public network through the third NAT, wherein the third network device can obtain the mapped addresses from the coordinator server and, based on the mapped addresses, conduct NAT behavior tests on the third NAT through the first and second network devices.