Fog-Enabled Multipath VPN for IoT Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multipath VPN technologies are limited by requiring endpoints to have direct WAN IP addresses and support for a single communication path, which excludes IoT devices and other endpoints without native IP support, leading to restricted connectivity and performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fog-enabled multipath VPN that enables endpoints without direct IP addressability to form communication paths through neighboring devices in a fog network, utilizing fog networking protocols and nodes to create multiple VPN tunneling paths, including those with WAN access, and allowing for intelligent scheduling based on network characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional multipath VPN technology is used, then VPN tunneling is enabled between endpoints with direct WAN IP addresses, but IoT devices and endpoints without native IP support are excluded from connectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fog nodes as intermediary devices that possess direct WAN IP addresses and act as mediators between endpoints without native IP support (such as IoT devices) and the VPN network. These fog nodes enable indirect IP addressability by relaying communication, allowing devices that cannot be directly addressed via IP to participate in multipath VPN tunnels through the intermediary fog infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fog node architecture provides universal connectivity by enabling multiple types of devices (those with direct WAN IP, those with indirect IP, and those without native IP support) to all participate in the same multipath VPN infrastructure. The system becomes multi-functional by supporting both direct and indirect addressing modes, making the VPN technology universally applicable across diverse device types.
2Reliability
If single communication path is used, then device complexity is reduced, but network performance and reliability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the VPN communication into multiple independent paths, each utilizing different fog nodes and transmission routes. This segmentation allows the system to distribute traffic across multiple channels, ensuring that if one path fails or experiences degradation, other paths remain available to maintain connectivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The multipath VPN system dynamically selects and manages communication paths based on network conditions, device capabilities, and performance requirements. The system can adaptively adjust which paths are active, optimize traffic distribution across paths, and respond to changing network environments, thereby improving reliability without requiring static complex configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If direct IP addressability is required for all endpoints, then VPN tunneling is simpler to implement, but IoT devices without native IP support cannot connect
Solution Approach 1:
Fog nodes serve as intermediaries that handle the complexity of IP address translation and routing. Devices without native IP support connect to fog nodes, which then manage the IP addressability requirements by translating or relaying addresses appropriately. This intermediary approach shields end devices from IP configuration complexity while enabling IoT device connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fog-enabled multipath VPN system performs automatic IP address discovery, allocation, and management through the fog infrastructure. Rather than requiring manual IP configuration on each endpoint, the system self-manages addressability through fog nodes that automatically handle the complexity of connecting devices with and without native IP support.
Data Source
AI summary
A device to provide fog-enabled multipath VPN (virtual private network) is disclosed. A first endpoint device is configured to form a fog-enabled communication path in a fog network with at least one neighboring device having at least one first IP (internet protocol) address so as to enable at least one VPN tunnel communication path, via said at least one neighboring device, between the first endpoint device and a second endpoint device with a second IP address and to enable multipath VPN tunneling between the first endpoint device and the second endpoint device. In another embodiment, a multipath VPN AP (access point) is disclosed, where the VPN AP uses at least one fog network to provide multipath VPN, and on the other hand, enables sharing of the multiple VPN by a multitude of endpoint devices that connect to the VPN AP through another fog network.