IP Address Sharing via Port-Based Packet Masquerading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face limitations in accessing VoIP services and other internet applications due to the requirement of a single IP and MAC address, which can be restrictive, especially when multiple devices need to connect to the internet without the need for complex network engineering or additional NAT-equipped routers.
Innovation Solution
A method where a second network device, such as a VoIP subscriber gateway, is connected in series with a first network device to share the IP address, allowing it to create and send packets using reserved port numbers, effectively masquerading as the first device, thus enabling multiple devices to appear as a single entity to the ISP without the need for NAT.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single IP address is assigned to multiple network devices, then more devices can access the internet without additional hardware, but packet routing becomes ambiguous and may reach wrong destinations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a router as an intermediary device between the ISP and multiple network devices. The router receives a single IP address from the ISP and acts as a mediator that forwards packets to the appropriate devices based on port information, thereby resolving the routing ambiguity that would otherwise occur when multiple devices share an IP address
2Reliability
If NAT is implemented to enable multiple devices to share an IP address, then packet routing reliability is maintained, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the NAT functionality from the network devices and concentrates it in the router. The router alone performs address translation and port management, while the connected network devices remain simple end devices without any NAT configuration requirements, thereby reducing overall system complexity
3Reliability
If an ISP enforces a single MAC and IP address policy, then network security and routing control are improved, but user flexibility and service accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the addressing space by utilizing port numbers as an additional dimension. While the ISP maintains control over the single IP and MAC address, the router uses port numbers to differentiate between multiple devices and services, thereby enabling service accessibility without compromising the ISP's security policy
Data Source
AI summary
Means for sharing an IP address between a first and second network device, the first device having an assigned IP address and the second network device having one or more port numbers reserved for use solely by the second network device. The second network device is connected serially between the first network device and an Internet access device. The second network device creates packets using the IP address and one of the one or more reserved port numbers and sends the packets to the Internet access device.