Firewall Traversal via Single-Port Protocol Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multimedia communication systems face challenges in traversing firewalls due to the use of multiple ports, which can lead to human error and increased vulnerability to malicious attacks, and lack secure communication protocols, as they require reconfiguration and do not support encryption.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that converts multiport protocol traffic into a single-port protocol, allowing it to traverse firewalls using well-known ports, reducing the need for reconfiguration and enhancing security by using encryption, while maintaining real-time communication integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ports are used for multimedia communication traffic, then communication functionality is improved, but firewall configuration complexity and vulnerability to attacks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication protocols (H.323, SIP, SIP over TLS) into a single unified gateway interface that handles all protocols through a single firewall port. The gateway consolidates protocol-specific processing internally, allowing multimedia traffic to traverse the firewall through one port rather than requiring multiple open ports for different protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The communication gateway acts as an intermediary between the internal network and external network, translating and routing different protocols through a single port. The gateway receives encrypted traffic on port 443, decrypts it, identifies the protocol type, and routes it to the appropriate internal destination, thereby eliminating the need for multiple firewall port openings
2Reliability
If multiple ports are opened on firewall for multimedia traffic, then communication reliability is improved, but network security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary security measures by implementing encryption (SSL/TLS) before traffic enters the firewall, and by configuring the firewall to only open port 443 which is commonly monitored and secured. The gateway pre-processes and validates all traffic before internal routing, preventing malicious traffic from reaching internal systems through multiple vulnerable ports
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the security parameter from multiple open ports to a single encrypted port (443). By transforming the traffic into encrypted form and routing it through a well-known secure port, the system maintains communication reliability while significantly reducing the attack surface exposed to external threats
3Adaptability or versatility
If firewall ports are reconfigured for different endpoints, then communication adaptability is improved, but time consumption and human error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication gateway provides self-service functionality by automatically detecting the protocol type of incoming traffic and routing it to the appropriate internal destination without requiring manual firewall reconfiguration. The system includes protocol detection mechanisms that automatically identify H.323, SIP, or SIP over TLS traffic and handle routing accordingly, eliminating the need for technicians to manually open and configure multiple ports for different endpoints
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple communication protocols (H.323, SIP, SIP over TLS) through a single interface. This multi-functional design allows the same gateway infrastructure to serve different endpoints and protocol types without requiring separate firewall configurations, thereby reducing both time consumption and potential for human error
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional firewall traversal methods are used, then communication functionality is maintained, but security and automation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as an automated intermediary that receives traffic on port 443, automatically decrypts it using SSL/TLS, identifies the protocol type through automated detection mechanisms, and routes it to the appropriate internal destination. This automated process eliminates the need for manual firewall port management while maintaining support for multiple protocols, thereby improving both automation extent and security
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for transporting multiport protocol traffic using a single-port protocol. Multiport protocol traffic from a first endpoint is converted into a single-port protocol for transport across a network. The traffic is sent over a commonly-open port and received at a second endpoint before being dispersed to the appropriate ports of the second endpoint. By converting the traffic to a single-port protocol and choosing which commonly open port to communicate the traffic through, firewalls between each endpoint may be traversed without changing any of their settings.