IoT Device NAT Keep-Alive Optimization via Server Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
IoT devices connected via Network Address Translation (NAT) face challenges in managing IP address mapping expiration times, leading to increased network and device power loads due to continuous transmission of keep alive values without standardized expiration times.
Innovation Solution
An IoT device executes a first session for service connection and a second session to calculate a specific keep alive value corresponding to the IP address mapping expiration period, minimizing keep alive value transmissions by iteratively adjusting transmission times based on server responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IoT devices continuously transmit keep alive values at very short intervals to maintain connection state, then connection reliability is improved, but network load and device power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the server respond to keep alive values with expiration time information, allowing the IoT device to adjust its transmission interval based on actual NAT mapping expiration times rather than using fixed short intervals. This creates a closed-loop system where transmission frequency is dynamically optimized based on network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the keep alive transmission interval dynamic rather than static. The device transitions from continuously transmitting at very short intervals to transmitting at variable intervals determined by the NAT mapping expiration time received from the server, allowing the system to adapt to different network environments and NAT device configurations.
2Reliability
If IoT devices continuously transmit keep alive values at very short intervals to maintain connection state, then connection reliability is improved, but network load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server provides feedback about NAT mapping expiration times to IoT devices, enabling them to transmit keep alive values only when necessary to refresh the mapping. This feedback mechanism reduces unnecessary transmissions and optimizes network resource utilization while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms continuous periodic transmission at fixed short intervals into conditional periodic transmission based on NAT mapping expiration times. Devices transmit keep alive values periodically but at dynamically determined intervals that match the actual expiration behavior of their specific NAT device, reducing overall network traffic.
3Adaptability or versatility
If IP address mapping expiration times of NAT devices are not standardized, then adaptability to different NAT devices is improved, but ability to determine optimal keep alive transmission intervals is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary that collects NAT mapping expiration time information from various NAT devices and relays it to IoT devices. This intermediary approach allows IoT devices to adapt to different NAT devices without needing to implement complex detection mechanisms, as the server provides the necessary expiration time information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing each IoT device to obtain its specific NAT mapping expiration time information directly from the server and use it to autonomously determine its optimal keep alive transmission interval. Each device independently configures its transmission behavior based on the information received, without requiring centralized control or manual configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an IoT device and an IoT communication method. The IoT device may: be connected to a server via NAT; execute a first session for service connection; and execute a second session for calculating a particular keep-alive value corresponding to a period in which an IP address mapped by the NAT expires. The present invention can minimize transmission of a keep-alive value of an IoT device, enables an IoT device to share a particular keep-alive value with other IoT devices, and thus can minimize a network load which may be caused by a keep-alive value of an IoT communication device.