Dynamic Relay Node Management for Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packet-based communication systems face issues with firewalls and NAT gateways blocking direct connections between user terminals, leading to unreliable and high-latency relayed connections, especially when large data is transmitted during video calls or file transfers.
Innovation Solution
A method that monitors network parameters such as resource usage and bandwidth at relay nodes, comparing them to known values to determine if additional relay nodes should be added to improve connection reliability and throughput, by establishing further connections through new relay nodes if resource constraints or latency issues are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If relay nodes are used to bypass firewalls and NAT gateways, then connection establishment is enabled, but reliability and throughput deteriorate compared to direct connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic connection management where the system automatically monitors network parameters and transitions between direct and relayed connections based on real-time conditions. The communication client dynamically selects whether to use direct connections or relayed connections through multiple relay nodes, optimizing throughput while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data transmission path by introducing multiple relay nodes when direct connections are blocked. Instead of using a single relay node, the system divides the transmission across multiple relay nodes, allowing parallel data flow and improving overall throughput while maintaining the ability to bypass firewalls and NAT gateways.
2Reliability
If relay nodes are used to enable communication through firewalls, then connection is established, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically monitors network parameters including latency and automatically adjusts the connection path. When relayed connections are detected to have high latency, the system transitions to direct connections when possible, or selects optimal relay nodes to minimize latency impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses relay nodes as intermediaries but implements intelligent selection and switching mechanisms. The system acts as an intermediary manager that can switch between different relay nodes or connection types based on real-time performance metrics, reducing the negative impact of relayed connections on latency.
3Productivity
If resources at relay nodes are increased to improve throughput, then transmission performance improves, but the relay node operation is significantly impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the relay functionality across multiple relay nodes rather than concentrating resources at a single node. Each relay node handles a portion of the traffic, distributing the resource burden and preventing any single node from being overwhelmed, thus maintaining reliable operation while achieving improved overall throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple relay nodes into a collaborative transmission path. By merging the capabilities of multiple relay nodes, the system achieves higher total throughput without requiring any single relay node to allocate excessive resources that would impair its own operation.
4Productivity
If direct connections are used between user terminals, then throughput and reliability are maximized, but firewalls and NAT gateways block the connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces relay nodes as intermediaries between user terminals when direct connections are blocked by firewalls or NAT gateways. These intermediaries establish alternative communication paths that bypass the blocking mechanisms, enabling data transmission while maintaining optimized throughput through intelligent path selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts connection paths in response to firewall blocking. The communication client continuously monitors connection status and automatically switches between direct and relayed connections, optimizing throughput while navigating around firewall restrictions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of transmitting data over a communication network from a first user terminal executing a communication client application to a second user terminal is provided. The communication client application of the first user terminal receives a command to transmit the data to the second user terminal and establishing a first connection between the first user terminal and the second user terminal via a first relay node. The transmission of the data from the first user terminal over the first connection is started, and at least one network parameter related to the transmission of the data is monitored and compared to at least one known value to determine whether to add a further connection. Responsive to determining that the further connection should be added, the further connection is established between the first user terminal and the second user terminal via a further relay node, and a first portion of the data transmitted via the first connection and a second portion of the data transmitted via the further connection.