DPU Port Mapping for Fixed Wireless Access Deployments

Solution Overview

Problem

In fixed wireless access (FWA) deployments, particularly in multi-dwelling units (MDUs), the use of customer premises equipment (CPEs) for network address translation (NAT) and network address and port translation (NAPT) increases latency and consumes computing resources, and there is a need for enhanced DPU functionality to manage multiple access point devices efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A distribution point unit (DPU) is enhanced to identify correspondences between its ports and access point devices, obtain IP addresses directly, and transmit them, eliminating the need for CPEs by aggregating traffic and performing NAT/NAPT, thereby reducing latency and resource consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If CPEs are used for NAT and NAPT in FWA deployments, then network address translation functions are provided, but latency increases and computing resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork address translation functionalityVSAvoiddata packet latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the NAT/NAPT functions from distributed CPEs into a centralized DPU. The DPU now performs network address translation for multiple access point devices simultaneously, consolidating what was previously distributed functionality. This centralization reduces latency by eliminating redundant translation operations at each CPE while maintaining the necessary network address translation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The DPU is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it manages correspondences between ports and access point devices, obtains IP addresses, performs NAT/NAPT, and aggregates traffic. By making the DPU universal and multi-functional, the system eliminates the need for separate CPEs at each location, reducing overall computing resource consumption and latency while preserving all necessary network translation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If CPEs are used for NAT and NAPT in FWA deployments, then network address translation functions are provided, but computing resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork address translation functionalityVSAvoidcomputing resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the NAT/NAPT functions from distributed CPEs into a centralized DPU. The DPU now performs network address translation for multiple access point devices simultaneously, consolidating what was previously distributed functionality. This centralization reduces latency by eliminating redundant translation operations at each CPE while maintaining the necessary network address translation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The DPU is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it manages correspondences between ports and access point devices, obtains IP addresses, performs NAT/NAPT, and aggregates traffic. By making the DPU universal and multi-functional, the system eliminates the need for separate CPEs at each location, reducing overall computing resource consumption and latency while preserving all necessary network translation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If DPU manages multiple access point devices, then traffic aggregation and NAT/NAPT are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic aggregation efficiencyVSAvoidDPU configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration by establishing correspondence relationships between DPU ports and access point device address identifiers before actual data transmission. This pre-configuration allows the DPU to automatically match incoming packets with the correct access point devices, simplifying the management of multiple devices while maintaining high traffic aggregation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces configuration information as an intermediary layer between the DPU and access point devices. This configuration data structure acts as a mediator that maps port identifiers to device address identifiers, allowing the DPU to manage multiple complex devices through a simplified interface without requiring direct complex interactions with each individual device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250287438A1Configuration of a fixed wireless access deployment

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC

AI summary

A distribution point unit (DPU) is associated with an fixed wireless access (FWA) deployment. The DPU identifies configuration information that indicates respective correspondences between a plurality of ports of the DPU and address identifiers of a plurality of access point devices. The DPU determines that the plurality of ports of the DPU are connected to the plurality of access point devices and performs a verification operation to determine that the plurality of access point devices are connected to the plurality of ports in accordance with the configuration information. The DPU obtains, based on the configuration information, respective Internet protocol (IP) addresses associated with the plurality of access point devices. The DPU transmits, via respective connections between the plurality of ports of the DPU and the plurality of access point devices, the respective IP addresses to the plurality of access point devices.