FWA Gateway Network Slicing NAT Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Extending network slicing from mobile networks to Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) gateways while performing network address translation (NAT) is challenging, as existing technologies require new infrastructure and proprietary equipment, making it costly and inefficient for providing high-speed broadband services in rural and suburban areas.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a FWA gateway that performs network slicing-based traffic classification and selects appropriate NAT types for incoming and outgoing traffic, using characteristics like IP addresses, ports, and protocol types to enable end-to-end network slices between the mobile network and FWA gateways located at residential or business locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing technologies are used to extend network slicing to FWA gateways with NAT, then network slicing functionality can be achieved, but new infrastructure and proprietary equipment are required making it costly and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the FWA gateway router perform multiple functions: it acts as both a standard NAT device and a network slicing endpoint. The gateway classifies traffic into different network slices using classification rules and applies appropriate NAT types based on the slice identification, eliminating the need for separate proprietary equipment while achieving network slicing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The FWA gateway autonomously performs network slicing by receiving slice identification information from upstream devices, classifying traffic based on predefined rules, and selecting appropriate NAT types without requiring external control equipment or new infrastructure. The gateway uses its existing routing and NAT capabilities to self-configure for network slicing operations.
2Productivity
If traffic classification and NAT type selection are performed at FWA gateways, then cost-effective broadband services can be provided, but the gateway must handle complex routing and translation operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures classification rules that map traffic characteristics to network slice identifiers and NAT types before actual data transmission. The FWA gateway receives and stores these classification rules from the network management system, allowing it to perform rapid traffic classification and NAT selection during operation without complex real-time decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the FWA gateway by introducing slice identification fields and classification rule sets. Instead of complex dynamic analysis, the gateway uses predefined parameters (classification rules) to match traffic characteristics with appropriate network slices and NAT types, simplifying the processing logic while maintaining high efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A gateway wirelessly connected to a mobile network receives traffic for a user equipment device (UE) connected to the gateway. A router of the gateway identifies a network slice, from a set of network slices potentially supported by the mobile network, for the traffic, and applies network address translation (NAT) policy rules to select a NAT type from multiple different NAT types to perform for the traffic based on the identified network slice. The router of the gateway performs the selected NAT type for the traffic and forwards the traffic to a gateway modem for transmitting towards the traffic's destination.