Idle VPN Connection Management for Resource Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections consume network and power resources even when not in use, leading to unnecessary costs and resource drain, as control traffic is required to maintain the connection, especially over cellular networks.
Innovation Solution
A method on a computing device to automatically determine when a VPN connection is idle and disconnect it, using timers and triggers such as entering standby mode or inactivity, to minimize active time and conserve resources, while re-establishing the connection when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control messaging is sent to maintain VPN connection, then connection stability is improved, but network resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of data traffic at predetermined intervals to determine whether the VPN connection is idle. Instead of continuous control messaging, the system periodically checks for data traffic and only maintains the connection when necessary, thereby reducing network resource consumption while preserving connection stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the VPN connection state based on real-time data traffic conditions. The system transitions the connection between active and disconnected states according to whether data traffic is detected, making the connection behavior adaptive to actual usage patterns rather than maintaining a static connection state.
2Reliability
If VPN connection is maintained active, then connection availability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system periodically monitors data traffic at predetermined intervals instead of continuously maintaining the connection. This periodic monitoring approach allows the device to disconnect the VPN connection during idle periods, significantly reducing power consumption while still detecting and responding to data traffic needs when they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of connection maintenance from continuous operation. By removing the unnecessary continuous connection state and keeping only the periodic monitoring and conditional reconnection, the system achieves connection availability when needed while eliminating constant power consumption.
3Loss of energy
If VPN connection is disconnected during idle period, then resource savings are improved, but connection re-establishment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of data traffic conditions before disconnecting the VPN connection. By detecting data traffic patterns and predicting idle states in advance, the system can disconnect at optimal moments and quickly re-establish connections when data traffic is detected, minimizing re-establishment time losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors data traffic conditions and uses this information to determine when to disconnect or maintain the connection. This feedback loop ensures that connections are re-established promptly when data traffic is detected, balancing resource savings with minimal connection interruption.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and computing device configured to send and receive traffic over a virtual private network (VPN) connection, the computing device having a processor; and a communications subsystem, where the method determines that a first trigger had been met; monitors whether data traffic exists over the VPN connection for a first time period; and if no data traffic exists over the VPN connection for the first time period, disconnects the VPN connection.