Device-Specific Service IP Addresses for NAT Proxy Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network Address Translation (NAT) devices obscure the identity of devices in local area networks, making it difficult for systems to implement web page acceleration techniques, such as HTTPS acceleration, which are hindered by high latency and unable to distinguish between compatible and non-compatible devices for acceleration.
Innovation Solution
The system creates device-specific service IP addresses for each device behind a NAT, allowing a transparent proxy to identify and differentiate between devices by including a device identifier in resolution requests, and using a proxy server to intercept and manage HTTPS communications, enabling per-device acceleration and prefetching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a NAT device is used to connect multiple devices to the network, then network connectivity is provided for all devices, but the identity of individual devices is obscured and cannot be distinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network communication by introducing device-specific service IP addresses for each device behind the NAT. Instead of using a single shared IP address, each device is assigned a unique service IP address that allows the proxy server to identify and differentiate between devices while maintaining NAT functionality. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing both network connectivity through NAT and device identification through unique service IP addresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a proxy server as an intermediary between the NAT device and the internet. The proxy server receives DNS resolution requests, translates device names to device-specific service IP addresses, and manages the mapping between devices and their unique addresses. This intermediary enables device identification and acceleration techniques while preserving the NAT-based network connectivity structure.
2Loss of time
If web page acceleration techniques are implemented, then latency is reduced and user experience is improved, but the system cannot determine which devices are compatible with acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary device compatibility detection by having devices send capability indication messages to the proxy server. The proxy server stores compatibility information for each device in advance, allowing it to determine which devices support acceleration techniques before attempting to apply them. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to identify compatible devices and apply acceleration techniques selectively, reducing latency for supported devices while maintaining compatibility for all devices.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If device-specific service IP addresses are created, then device identification and per-device acceleration are enabled, but the network configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the proxy server automatically manages the creation and mapping of device-specific service IP addresses. Devices automatically register with the proxy server and receive their unique service IP addresses without manual configuration. The proxy server handles the complexity of address management, DNS resolution, and compatibility tracking automatically. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by enabling device identification through unique service IP addresses while minimizing the perceived complexity for end users and devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for local name resolution in network communications. Particular embodiments may enable a device resolution request to include a name that identifies the user device issuing the resolution request. A proxy server may accept the resolution request, and respond with a service internet protocol address that is customized to that user device, such that compatible user devices on the same local area network will each receive a different service IP address. When the proxy server receives traffic on a particular service IP address from a local area network, the proxy server may identify the compatible device even if a network address translation device has adjusted the requesting IP address for the device. Particular implementations may enable acceleration of HTTPS communications by the proxy server, or other such benefits.