Firewall Hole Punch for Private Network Performance Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conducting performance tests on private networks behind firewalls is challenging due to security restrictions, particularly when simulating hundreds of users, as existing methods require manual port opening and address mapping, which is insecure and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The method involves initiating a transport layer connection between public and private network endpoints, allocating a port for testing, and using a 'hole punch' datagram to create a secure path through the firewall, allowing test traffic to traverse without manual port opening or address mapping, using specific source/destination address combinations to bypass security devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ports are opened in the firewall to allow test traffic, then test traffic can traverse the firewall to reach private network endpoints, but security issues are created and the process becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically creating NAT mappings and configuring firewall rules before test traffic is sent. The performance testing system pre-establishes the necessary network path and address translations, so that when test traffic needs to traverse the firewall, the path is already prepared and security is maintained through automated controlled openings rather than manual port exposure.
2Productivity
If manual port opening and address mapping is performed for each simulated user, then performance tests can be conducted, but the process becomes cumbersome and difficult to scale to hundreds of users
Solution Approach 1:
The performance testing system implements a universal automated NAT management function that handles address translation for multiple simulated users simultaneously. Instead of requiring individual manual configuration for each user, the system creates a pool of NAT mappings that can serve hundreds of simulated users through automated address assignment and translation, making the system scalable and eliminating the cumbersome manual configuration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically managing the entire port mapping and NAT configuration process without human intervention. The performance testing system autonomously creates mappings, assigns addresses to simulated users, and manages the translation tables, allowing the system to scale to hundreds of users while reducing operational complexity and eliminating manual configuration burdens.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Port Address Translation (PAT) is implemented in the firewall, then address mapping can be performed, but port translation must be done for each simulated user which blocks performance tests requiring hundreds of users
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the NAT mapping process by creating separate, dedicated mapping entries for each simulated user in the performance test. Instead of using a single shared PAT entry that would require complex translation for each user, the system divides the address space and creates individualized mapping segments, allowing hundreds of users to be simulated simultaneously without conflict or the need for dynamic port translation at the firewall level.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for initiating and executing a performance test of a private network and/or components thereof are disclosed. Methods and systems include a receiver endpoint in a private network, and a sender endpoint in a public network. The receiver endpoint initiates a transport layer connection with the sender endpoint. The sender endpoint allocates a port, binds to the port, and sends an Internet Protocol (IP) address and a port number over the transport layer connection. The receiver endpoint then sends a hole punch datagram from the private network to the public network to create a hole in a firewall that is separating the public and private networks. The sender endpoint receives the hole punch datagram and uses IP address and port information in the hole punch datagram to send test traffic through the hole in the firewall.