Enhanced NAT Component Resolving IP Collisions in Tunnel Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network traffic offloading techniques, such as NAT, face challenges with internal IP address collisions, which lead to incorrect routing of downlink IP packets and inability to handle overlapping IP addresses, resulting in lost data packets.
Innovation Solution
The enhanced NAT (eNAT) component processes network traffic by manipulating uplink data packets, obtaining and updating database entries for tunnel endpoint identifiers, and ensuring correct encapsulation and routing of both uplink and downlink packets to avoid address collisions and ensure data packets reach their destinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If NAT is used for network traffic offloading, then network traffic can be redirected to local networks, but internal IP address collisions occur leading to incorrect routing of downlink IP packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IP address space by introducing a private network address domain that is distinct from public IP addresses. This segmentation allows multiple terminal devices to share the same public IP address while maintaining unique private network addresses, thereby resolving IP address collisions and ensuring accurate routing of downlink packets to the correct tunnel nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a private network address as an intermediary between the public IP address and the terminal device. This intermediary layer (private network address + tunnel endpoint identifier) enables the NAT function to correctly identify and route downlink packets to the appropriate tunnel node even when multiple devices share the same public IP address.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple terminal devices share the same IP address for network offloading, then cost is reduced, but data packets are lost due to inability to handle overlapping IP addresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the addressing scheme into public IP address, private network address, and tunnel endpoint identifier components. This allows multiple terminal devices to share the same public IP address while maintaining unique private network addresses, thereby resolving IP address collisions and ensuring accurate routing of downlink packets to the correct tunnel nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an additional dimension to the addressing scheme by introducing private network addresses and tunnel endpoint identifiers as a second layer of addressing. This dimensional expansion allows the system to handle multiple devices with the same public IP address by differentiating them through their unique private network addresses and tunnel identifiers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional NAT is used, then network address translation is achieved, but correct routing information for tunnel nodes cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing a mapping relationship between public IP addresses and private network addresses before actual data transmission occurs. This pre-configured mapping information, stored in a database, enables the NAT function to correctly route both uplink and downlink packets without losing tunnel node routing information during the translation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the NAT function queries a database to obtain private network address information based on public IP addresses, and uses this retrieved information to correctly route packets. The database serves as a feedback source that provides the necessary routing information to maintain accurate tunnel node mapping throughout the translation process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique of processing network traffic that is sent on a tunnel between a first tunnel and a second tunnel node in a communication network is provided. A device implementation of this technique comprises an enhanced network address translation, eNAT, component (10) comprising a first obtaining unit (14) configured to obtain an uplink data packet (26) from an uplink tunnel from the first tunnel node to the second tunnel node, the uplink data packet comprising a first network address associated with the first tunnel node, a second network address associated with the second tunnel node, a first identifier associated with the uplink tunnel an internal network address, and an internal port number, a second obtaining unit (16) configured to obtain a second identifier associated with a downlink tunnel from the second tunnel node to the first tunnel node, wherein the downlink tunnel is related to the uplink tunnel, a checking unit (18) configured to check, based on the second network address and the first identifier, whether a database entry comprising the second network address and the first identifier exists in a database (12), an updating unit (20) configured to update the database (12) in case the checked database entry does not exist in the database (12), and a manipulating unit (22) configured to manipulate the uplink data packet (26).