Distributed NAT Communication Manager Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Network Address Translation (NAT) functionality in data centers can become a bottleneck and requires extensive mapping information management, which can exceed the capabilities of NAT router devices as the number of internal computing systems and representative public network addresses grows, leading to potential communication slowdowns and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a distributed and asymmetric NAT-related functionality using Communication Manager modules on multiple computing devices, which manage communications independently and reduce the need for centralized mapping information, allowing each device to handle communications without relying on a single NAT router device for all mappings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If centralized NAT router devices are used to manage all mapping information, then communication management is simplified, but the device becomes a bottleneck and cannot scale as the number of internal computing systems and public network addresses grows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized NAT mapping information management into distributed segments across multiple Communication Manager modules. Each CM manages a subset of mappings locally, eliminating the single bottleneck NAT router device while maintaining simplified management through modular, independent units that can scale horizontally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension centralized management model to a multi-dimensional distributed architecture. Mapping information is distributed across multiple devices and locations, adding spatial dimensionality to the management structure, which enables parallel processing and eliminates the communication bottleneck at the centralized NAT router.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of internal computing systems and representative public network addresses increases, then network coverage and capacity are improved, but the mapping information management becomes unmanageable and causes communication slowdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mapping information management task across multiple Communication Manager modules, each handling a portion of the total mappings. This segmentation allows the system to scale to accommodate more internal computing systems and public addresses without overwhelming a single device, as each CM manages a manageable subset independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Each Communication Manager module autonomously manages its own local mapping information without requiring centralized coordination for every mapping operation. This self-service capability allows each CM to independently handle communications for its assigned mappings, enabling the system to scale to large numbers of internal systems and addresses while maintaining manageable complexity at each node.
3Device complexity
If a single NAT router device handles all address translations, then device simplicity is maintained, but communication speed decreases due to the bottleneck effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the address translation function from a single NAT router device into multiple distributed Communication Manager modules. Each CM performs address translations locally for its assigned mappings, eliminating the communication bottleneck and enabling parallel translation operations that increase overall communication speed while maintaining simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the NAT functionality with the Communication Manager modules that already exist in the distributed architecture. By merging address translation capabilities into the existing CM infrastructure, the system eliminates the need for a separate centralized NAT router device while distributing the translation workload across multiple nodes, thereby improving communication speed without adding device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for managing communications sent to and/or from multiple computing nodes, such as for a group of computing nodes that are part of one or more private networks. In at least some situations, the techniques are used in conjunction with providing network address translation (“NAT”) functionality to a group of computing nodes that share one or more networks, such as to provide NAT functionality in a distributed and asymmetric manner using multiple computing devices that perform different types of operations at different locations within the private network.