Fractional IP Addressing via IP Version Field Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The growing number of client devices seeking network connections is leading to a decline in available IPv4 addresses, known as IPv4 address exhaustion, as the dominant standard for IP addresses is limited to 32 bits, resulting in a shortage of unique identifiers in networks.
Innovation Solution
Assigning unique network identifiers by combining an IPv4 address with a value from the IP version field, such as IPv0 to IPv4, to create fractional IP addresses, allowing multiple devices to share the same IPv4 address while using different IP version values, thereby extending the usefulness of a single IPv4 address across multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If IPv4 addresses are assigned to each client device, then unique network identification is achieved, but the limited 32-bit address space becomes exhausted as the number of devices grows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IP version field (typically a 4-bit field containing values 0-4) into usable address identifiers. By treating different IP version values as distinct address space segments, the system creates multiple fractional IP addresses from a single IPv4 address, effectively dividing the address space to serve more devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to IP addressing by utilizing the IP version field, which was traditionally used only for protocol version identification. This transforms a single-dimensional IPv4 address into a multi-dimensional identifier system where the same IPv4 address can be combined with different IP version values to create unique addresses for multiple devices.
2Quantity of substance
If the IP version field is utilized to create fractional IP addresses, then address space is expanded, but network protocol compatibility may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mapping mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the fractional IP address system and the traditional IPv4 protocol. This mapping layer translates fractional IP addresses into recognizable IPv4 formats when necessary, allowing devices to communicate using extended addressing while maintaining compatibility with existing IPv4 infrastructure and protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the interpretation parameter of the IP version field from 'protocol version' to 'address identifier'. By redefining what this field represents, the system expands address capacity without altering the fundamental IPv4 protocol structure, allowing existing protocols to continue functioning while supporting extended addressing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer systems, computer-readable media, and computerized methods for resolving fractional IP addresses using domain name system (DNS)-enabled devices are provided. The system includes a local DNS server that accesses a correlation table, which maintains a mapping between fractional IP addresses and domain names. The fractional IP addresses each represent an IPv4 address paired with a respective value of an IP version field. The system also includes a client device that is capable of transmitting to the local DNS server a request message, which includes a destination name of a device targeted by the client device. Upon receiving the request message, the local DNS server compares the destination name against the correlation table. When a match is discovered within the domain names populated within the correlation table, the local DNS server identifies and transmits to the client device a fractional IP address mapped to the matching domain name.