In-Transit Protocol Translation for 5G IoT Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional enterprise networks face challenges in supporting diverse communication protocols, particularly in 5G environments where data traffic from IoT devices, OT platforms, and other devices requires protocol translation without altering transit networks or end hosts.
Innovation Solution
Implementing in-transit protocol translation systems that intercept traffic between client devices and transit networks, detect the communication protocol used, and translate it to a compatible protocol like UDP for seamless forwarding, using branch connectors without modifying the source or destination devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If protocol translation is implemented in transit networks, then protocol compatibility is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces protocol translation appliances as intermediary devices positioned between end hosts and transit networks. These appliances translate protocols in-transit without requiring modifications to the transit network infrastructure or end hosts, thereby improving protocol compatibility while isolating the complexity to specific translation devices rather than the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the protocol translation function into separate appliances that can be deployed at specific network edges. This segmentation allows the translation capability to be added without complicating the core transit network, as the translation functions are isolated to discrete devices that can be managed independently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If end hosts are modified to support protocol translation, then protocol support is improved, but device complexity and modification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places protocol translation appliances between end hosts and transit networks, acting as intermediaries that handle protocol translation. This approach allows protocol support to be improved without modifying end hosts, as the translation function is externalized to dedicated appliances that the hosts can use transparently.
Solution Approach 2:
The translation appliances automatically detect and translate protocols without requiring configuration or modification of end hosts. The system provides self-service protocol translation where the appliances independently identify the protocols in use and perform the necessary translation, eliminating the need for host modifications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If transit networks are altered to support diverse protocols, then protocol versatility is improved, but network stability and security increase risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces translation appliances as intermediaries that handle protocol conversion, allowing the transit network to maintain its existing stable configuration while still supporting diverse protocols. The appliances translate protocols before traffic enters the transit network, preserving network stability and security while achieving protocol versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the transit network to support diverse protocols directly, the patent inverts the approach by translating protocols to match the transit network's requirements. This inversion allows the transit network to remain unchanged and stable while achieving protocol versatility through the translation layer.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for in-transit protocol translation. Specifically, various approaches are described for translating protocols for intermediate networks in a way by which there is no need of support for encapsulation/decapsulation at the end hosts and does not require any changes to end hosts or transit networks. Various embodiments include intercepting traffic between one or more source client devices and a transit network; detecting a first communication protocol used by the one or more source client devices in the traffic; translating the traffic from the first communication protocol to a second communication protocol; and forwarding the traffic to the transit network using the second communication protocol.