Hybrid P2P Endpoint Handoff via Access Server Mediation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current peer-to-peer networks face security risks due to distributed endpoint information and can become bottlenecks in communication, while traditional client/server networks struggle to support large numbers of clients efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid peer-to-peer system with an access server that uses standardized communication protocols and distributed softswitch architecture, allowing endpoints to communicate directly and manage sessions without an external server, while maintaining security through encryption and NAT traversal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional peer-to-peer networks are used for direct endpoint communication, then communication efficiency is improved, but security risks increase due to distributed endpoint information storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an access server as an intermediary component that centralizes the storage of endpoint information (addresses, credentials, routing tables) while allowing endpoints to communicate directly with each other. This mediator resolves the contradiction by providing centralized security management without forcing all traffic through the server, thus maintaining both security and communication efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments communication into two parts: signaling/session management goes through the access server (for security), while actual data communication occurs directly between endpoints (for efficiency). This segmentation allows the system to achieve both security through centralized authentication and efficiency through direct peer-to-peer data transfer.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If client/server networks are used to centralize credential storage, then security is improved, but system scalability deteriorates as the server becomes a bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The access server acts as a lightweight intermediary that only handles signaling and session management, not the actual data communication. This mediator approach allows the server to remain secure and centralized for authentication while avoiding the bottleneck problem by allowing direct endpoint-to-endpoint data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the heavy data communication function from the server and places it directly between endpoints. Only the essential control functions (authentication, session management, routing information) remain on the server, thereby improving scalability while maintaining security.
3Ease of operation
If all communications pass through the server in client/server networks, then centralized control is achieved, but communication speed decreases due to server bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The communication process is segmented into control plane (through server for centralized control) and data plane (direct between endpoints for high speed). This segmentation allows the server to maintain centralized control over authentication and routing while data traffic bypasses the server entirely, achieving both control and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The access server serves as an intelligent intermediary that provides centralized control for session establishment and routing, while allowing the actual data communication to occur directly between endpoints, thus maintaining both centralized control and high communication speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for endpoint handoff in a hybrid peer-to-peer networking environment are provided. In one example, the method includes logging into the peer-to-peer network by a first endpoint. The first endpoint directly notifies a second endpoint that the second endpoint is to transfer an active communication session existing between the second endpoint and a third endpoint from the second endpoint to the first endpoint. The first endpoint receives session parameters associated with the active communication session directly from the second endpoint and directly notifies the third endpoint that the first endpoint is online. The first endpoint then re-establishes the active communication session with the third endpoint using the session parameters.