Hypervisor-Based Network Address Translation for Stable Wireless Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for maintaining a stable IP address while roaming between different wireless networks are expensive and lack client-side implementations, disrupting applications that rely on a stable IP address.
Innovation Solution
A hypervisor is used to control networking devices, perform authentication, and manage connection selection, providing a single private IP address through Network Address Translation (NAT), enabling multiple operating systems to run concurrently and maintaining connectivity across networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hypervisor is introduced to control networking devices and perform NAT, then IP address stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hypervisor acts as an intermediary layer between the operating system and the networking devices. It intercepts network traffic, performs NAT to maintain a stable private IP address for the OS while allowing dynamic public IP changes during roaming, and translates between the stable private address and dynamic public addresses. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by isolating the complexity of network address management in the hypervisor layer while presenting simplicity to the operating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional layers: the hypervisor layer handles network address translation and stability, while the operating system layer maintains simple application-level networking. By dividing the networking functionality across these segments, the patent achieves IP stability without burdening the entire system with complex network management logic.
2Reliability
If control is pushed from Operating System level to hypervisor level, then network connection stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hypervisor automatically performs network address translation, connection selection, and authentication without requiring manual configuration from the operating system or user. The system self-manages the complexity of maintaining stable IP addresses during roaming, eliminating the need for users or system administrators to intervene in network configuration while still achieving connection stability.
3Reliability
If expensive back end server systems like WECM are used, then IP address persistence is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive commercial server systems like WECM, the patent implements a simplified hypervisor-based solution that copies the essential functionality of IP address persistence using open-source virtualization technology. The hypervisor creates a virtual networking layer that provides NAT and address stability without requiring costly proprietary server infrastructure, thereby achieving the same reliability at lower cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive long-term server infrastructure with a more economical hypervisor implementation that can be deployed on standard hardware. The solution uses lightweight virtualization mechanisms rather than heavy-duty commercial software, reducing implementation costs while maintaining the core function of IP address persistence during network roaming.
Data Source
AI summary
This present invention relates to a method for using hypervisors to enable stable wireless network connections. The crux of the invention involves pushing the control of the networking devices from the Operating System level down to a networking front end hypervisor level. The hypervisor will control all networking devices, the authentication for these devices, and the selection of which connection to use. The hypervisor will also perform Network Address Translation (NAT) to the Operating System. Thus, the Operating System will receive a single, private IP address for use with the Operating System's applications. The hypervisor will handle the change of the IP address when roaming between networks and hide it from the Operating System through the use of the NAT.