DNAT Firewall Routing for Overlapping Private IP Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cloud computing systems cannot facilitate communication between virtual networks with overlapping IP addresses, preventing processes like onboarding new partners or integrating new acquisitions due to non-routable IP networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a DNAT hub (firewall) that performs destination network address translation (DNAT) to translate conflicting IP addresses, enabling communication between non-routable private networks and/or between non-routable and routable networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional NAT is used at the firewall, then communication from the public internet to private networks is enabled, but communication between virtual networks with overlapping IP addresses cannot be facilitated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a DNAT hub as an intermediary device between virtual networks with overlapping IP addresses. The hub receives packets with destination IP addresses, performs DNAT to translate them to unique internal IP addresses, and forwards them to the appropriate virtual network. This mediator resolves the routing ambiguity caused by overlapping IP addresses while maintaining communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the IP address parameter through DNAT translation. When a packet arrives at the DNAT hub, the destination IP address parameter is transformed from an overlapping address (e.g., 10.0.0.0/8) to a unique internal address (e.g., 192.168.1.0/24) based on routing rules, enabling reliable delivery to the correct virtual network.
2Adaptability or versatility
If DNAT hub is implemented to enable communication between overlapping IP networks, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DNAT hub is designed as a universal device that can handle multiple virtual networks with overlapping IP address spaces simultaneously. A single DNAT hub can manage routing for numerous virtual networks by maintaining routing rules that map destination IP addresses to appropriate networks, eliminating the need for separate routing infrastructure for each network.
Solution Approach 2:
The DNAT hub automatically performs IP address translation and routing decisions based on pre-configured routing rules without requiring manual intervention for each packet. The system evaluates routing conditions, applies appropriate DNAT rules, and forwards packets autonomously, reducing operational complexity.
3Measurement precision
If routing rules are evaluated for each data packet, then accurate routing to the correct private subnetwork is achieved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Routing rules are pre-configured and stored in the DNAT hub before operation. The hub maintains a routing rule database that contains pre-evaluated translation mappings. When a packet arrives, the hub performs a lookup in this pre-prepared database rather than evaluating routing conditions from scratch, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining routing accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may receive, at a firewall, a data packet destined to a conflicting private IP address of the first private subnetwork and the second private subnetwork within the private network, the data packet including a destination IP address identifying the firewall. The system may evaluate, at the firewall, the data packet to determine whether a source IP address of the data packet satisfies a routing condition corresponding to a routing rule. The system may apply, at the firewall, the routing rule to determine a translated destination IP address of the first private subnetwork. The system may send the data packet to the first private subnetwork.