Edge Enabler Server Mapping for NATed UE IP Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 5G core network (5GC) is unable to map user equipment internet protocol (UE IP) addresses correctly when network address translation (NAT) is performed by a NAT function hosted at an edge network or between the 5GC and an edge network, leading to misidentification of user equipment due to the use of NATed UE IP addresses.
Innovation Solution
An edge enabler server (EES) maintains a mapping between UE IP addresses allocated by the 5GC and network address translated UE IP addresses allocated by a NAT function, translating requests for services from the 5GC to use the original UE IP addresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If NAT function is hosted at edge network or between 5GC and edge network, then network address translation is performed, but 5GC is unable to map UE IP addresses correctly leading to misidentification of user equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an edge enabler server as an intermediary component that maintains a mapping table between original UE IP addresses allocated by 5GC and NATed UE IP addresses allocated by the NAT function. This intermediary stores and manages the correspondence relationships, allowing the 5GC to correctly identify and map UE IP addresses even when NAT translation is performed, thereby resolving the information loss problem without compromising reliability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If NAT function translates UE IP addresses, then internal IP addresses are hidden for privacy, but 5GC cannot correctly identify user equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The edge enabler server acts as a mediator that preserves the relationship between original and translated IP addresses. It maintains a mapping table that stores the correspondence between UE IP addresses allocated by 5GC and NATed UE IP addresses allocated by the NAT function. This allows the system to protect IP address privacy through NAT translation while simultaneously maintaining the ability to accurately identify user equipment through the preserved mapping relationships
3Reliability
If mapping table is maintained between 5GC and edge network, then UE IP address identification is accurate, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an edge enabler server as a dedicated intermediary component specifically responsible for maintaining the mapping table. By centralizing this function in a specialized component rather than distributing it across multiple network elements, the system achieves accurate UE IP address mapping while managing complexity through functional specialization and centralized management of the mapping relationships
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: receiving a user equipment internet protocol address allocated by a core network; receiving a network address translated user equipment internet protocol address allocated by a network address translation function; and mapping the user equipment internet protocol address allocated by the core network to the network address translated user equipment internet protocol address allocated by the network address translation function.