Distributed Control Agents for Network Tunneling Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network tunneling methods lack flexibility and versatility, leading to limitations in latency, throughput, reliability, and potential new capabilities, and often require a centralized controller, which can result in performance issues and a single point of failure.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for creating data communication between a requestor and a target by using control agents to identify and configure networking agents, generating configuration instructions, and establishing segments for connection, allowing for dynamic and secure data pathways over networks like the Internet, with features such as firewall and NAT configuration, security protocols, and logging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network tunneling is used to connect private networks via public network, then data communication between networks is enabled, but flexibility and versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network communication system into multiple independent control agents, each managing specific networking functions (firewall, NAT, routing) separately. This allows flexible configuration and adaptation of individual segments without affecting the entire system, thereby improving network communication flexibility while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic configuration of networking agents through control agents that can modify firewall rules, NAT settings, and routing tables in real-time based on communication requirements. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to flexibly respond to changing network conditions and communication needs without requiring complete system reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If centralized controller is used to restrict packets with firewall, then authorized communication is controlled, but performance (latency) deteriorates and single point of failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent distributes the centralized controller functionality into multiple independent control agents, each responsible for specific networking functions at different network segments. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure risk associated with centralized controllers while maintaining security through distributed packet inspection and control. Each control agent operates independently, preventing system-wide failures and reducing latency by processing packets locally rather than through a central bottleneck.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces control agents as intermediary components between networking agents and the public network. These control agents handle packet restriction and authorization functions locally at each network segment, eliminating the need for centralized packet inspection. This intermediary approach maintains communication security while reducing latency by processing packets closer to their source and destination.
3Ease of operation
If centralized controller is used to manage network traffic, then packet authorization is enforced, but system reliability deteriorates due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized control functionality into multiple independent control agents distributed across different network segments. Each control agent manages packet authorization locally, maintaining ease of operation through standardized control interfaces while eliminating the single point of failure risk. The segmented architecture ensures that failures in one control agent do not affect others, thereby improving system availability while preserving manageable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic parameter changes in control agents, allowing them to adjust firewall rules, NAT configurations, and routing parameters in real-time based on communication requirements. This flexibility maintains ease of operation by allowing centralized management of control parameters while distributing the actual control functions across multiple agents, thereby improving system reliability without sacrificing operational simplicity.
4Productivity
If traditional tunneling methods are used, then network connection is established, but throughput and performance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network communication path into multiple optimized segments, each managed by specialized control agents handling specific functions (firewall, NAT, routing). This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall data throughput by eliminating the performance bottlenecks inherent in traditional monolithic tunneling. The modular architecture manages complexity by confining configuration details to individual segments rather than requiring end-to-end configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic configuration and optimization of each network segment based on real-time communication requirements. Control agents can adjust firewall rules, NAT settings, and routing parameters dynamically to optimize throughput for different types of traffic. This dynamic adaptation improves productivity by allowing the system to respond to changing traffic patterns without requiring complete reconfiguration of the entire tunneling system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for creating data communication between a requestor and a target, wherein: the requestor is associated with a first group and a first control agent; and the target is associated with a second group and a second control agent, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, at the first control agent, an intention to connect to the target from the requestor; identifying the second control agent as associated with the target and generating a request; communicating the request to the second control agent from the first control agent; receiving, from the second control agent, external configuration instructions; selecting, at least in part in accordance with the received external configuration instructions, one or more configurable first networking agents of the first group requiring configuration in order to create that data communication; determining, at least in part in accordance with the received external configuration instructions, first networking configuration instructions for each of one or more configurable first networking agents; and communicating said instructions to the, or each, said configurable first networking agents, thereby creating a first segment for connection to a second segment create by the second control agent, and associated system.