Endpoint Protocol Selection for Restrictive Network Tunneling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Establishing a tunneling connection over restrictive networks using UDP can fail due to network limitations, leading to unsuccessful connections between endpoints and servers, particularly in local networks that restrict UDP-based communication.

Innovation Solution

A method for selecting between UDP and TCP protocols to establish a tunneling connection, where UDP is initially tried, and if it fails, TCP is used as a backup, allowing seamless protocol switching and optimizing MTU size for efficient data transmission, ensuring stable and secure connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If UDP protocol is used to establish tunneling connection, then network performance is improved and cloud costs are minimized, but connection reliability deteriorates when network restricts UDP-based communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidconnection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the protocol parameter from UDP to TCP based on network conditions. The endpoint attempts UDP connection first for optimal performance, and if that fails due to network restrictions, it switches to TCP protocol to ensure connection reliability is maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The protocol selection is made dynamic rather than static. The system dynamically adapts its behavior by first attempting UDP protocol and then falling back to TCP protocol based on real-time network condition assessment, allowing the connection establishment process to be flexible and responsive to network restrictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If protocol selection is simplified, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different network conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol selection complexityVSAvoidnetwork adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by first attempting to establish a UDP tunneling connection before falling back to TCP. This preliminary attempt allows the system to optimize for performance when network conditions permit, while maintaining a simple fallback mechanism for when restrictions are detected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tunnel manager acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the endpoint and server, assessing network conditions and mediating the protocol selection process. It manages the complexity of protocol switching while maintaining simplicity at the user level, and adapts to different network environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4075764B1Establishing tunneling connection over restrictive networks

Publication Date: 2024.06.19 BLACKBERRY LTD

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AI summary

Systems, methods, and software can be used for establishing a tunneling connection over restrictive networks. One example of a method includes selecting, at an endpoint, at least one protocol to be used to establish a tunneling connection between the endpoint and a server. The at least one protocol is one of transmission control protocol (TCP) or user datagram protocol (UDP). The method further includes transmitting data between the endpoint and the server over the tunneling connection by using the selected at least one protocol.