IPv4-in-IPv6 Relaying for Seamless WAN Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Internet-connected devices experience disruptive connection disruptions and performance degradation when switching between different networks due to the need to restart Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connections, as they maintain different IP addresses on each network.
Innovation Solution
Implementing IPv4-in-IPv6 relaying mechanisms in routers to preserve a single IPv4 public address across multiple connections, allowing seamless switching between WAN interfaces without affecting ongoing TCP sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a device uses different IP addresses on different network interfaces (wired/Wi-Fi, cellular), then the device can connect to multiple networks simultaneously, but TCP connections must be restarted when switching networks causing service disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tunnel endpoint and tunnel interface as intermediary components between the device and external networks. When switching networks, the device maintains its original public IP address by routing traffic through a tunnel to the new network interface. The tunnel endpoint on the original interface and the tunnel interface act as mediators that preserve the TCP connection's IP address identity while allowing physical network switching, thus resolving the contradiction between network adaptability and connection stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a tunneling dimension to the network architecture. Instead of directly using different IP addresses on different interfaces (2D problem), it creates a 3D solution by introducing a tunnel layer that encapsulates the original IP traffic. This dimensional addition allows the system to switch physical networks while maintaining the same logical IP address space, resolving the contradiction
2Ease of operation
If IPv4 addresses are assigned to each network interface, then each interface can be independently addressed, but IPv4 public addresses are scarce and cannot be supported on multiple connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single IPv4 public address universal across multiple network interfaces and connections. Instead of requiring separate IPv4 addresses for each interface (one-to-one mapping), the system allows one public IP address to serve multiple interfaces simultaneously through tunneling. The tunnel interface and encapsulation mechanism enable this multi-functionality, allowing the same IPv4 address to be used on wired, Wi-Fi, and cellular connections, thus resolving the contradiction between addressing ease and address scarcity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested IP addressing by encapsulating IPv4 packets within IPv6 packets. The original IPv4 packet (containing the public IP address) is nested inside an IPv6 tunnel packet. This nesting allows the inner IPv4 address to remain unchanged and reusable across multiple outer IPv6 interfaces, effectively allowing one IPv4 address to serve multiple connections without requiring additional IPv4 addresses
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method, implemented in a router in a Communication Service Provider (CSP) network, which includes connecting to a device via at least two connections where a first connection includes a first Wide Area Network (WAN) interface and a second connection includes a second WAN interface; receiving an encapsulated packet from one of the at least two connections where the encapsulated packet is destined for an Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address on the Internet; and creating an IPv4 packet from the encapsulated packet by de-encapsulating the encapsulated packet and including an IPv4 public address in an IPv4 packet, wherein the IPv4 public address is associated with the router.