IPv6 Address Allocation with Relay-Based Identifier Forwarding

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Solution Overview

Problem

In PPPoE access scenarios, address request devices cannot access the network due to the inability of the address allocation device to perceive the negotiated interface identifier, leading to random allocation of IPv6 addresses.

Innovation Solution

A relay device is introduced to add the interface identifier to the request packet, which is then forwarded to the address allocation device, allowing the device to allocate IPv6 addresses based on the negotiated identifier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the address allocation device uses DHCPv6 protocol to allocate IPv6 address, then the allocation process is simplified and automated, but the interface identifier cannot be perceived leading to random allocation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated address allocationVSAvoidinterface identifier information
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The relay device acts as an intermediary between the address request device and the address allocation device. It receives the request packet from the address request device, adds the negotiated interface identifier to the packet, and forwards it to the address allocation device. This mediator ensures that the interface identifier information is not lost during the DHCPv6 allocation process, allowing the address allocation device to perceive and use the correct interface identifier for address assignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the address allocation device allocates IPv6 address without perceiving interface identifier, then the allocation process is faster and simpler, but the allocated address cannot match the negotiated identifier causing network access failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaddress allocation speedVSAvoidnetwork access capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The relay device performs preliminary action by adding the interface identifier to the request packet before forwarding it to the address allocation device. This preliminary modification ensures that the interface identifier is already included in the packet when it reaches the address allocation device, allowing for fast and reliable address allocation without requiring additional communication steps or post-processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If a relay device is introduced to add interface identifier to request packet, then the interface identifier can be transmitted to address allocation device, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface identifier transmissionVSAvoidnetwork device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relay device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a relay for DHCPv6 address allocation requests and as an interface identifier addition device. By combining these functions into a single device, the patent avoids the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still achieving the goal of interface identifier transmission to the address allocation device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4221151B1IP address allocation method, apparatus and system
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4221151B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4221151B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~5
  • EP4221151B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose an IP address allocation method and apparatus, and a system. Specifically, when there is a relay device between an address request device and an address allocation device, and the address request device requests an IPv6 address, a request packet sent by the address request device to the address allocation device includes an interface identifier negotiated with the relay device. After receiving the request packet, the address allocation device may allocate the IPv6 address based on the interface identifier in the request packet, where the IPv6 address includes the interface identifier; and send the IPv6 address to the address request device by using a response packet, so that the address request device uses the IPv6 address to access a network. It can be learned that in embodiments of this application, the negotiated interface identifier is sent to the address allocation device, so that when the address allocation device allocates the IPv6 address, an address interface identifier of the allocated IPv6 address is the negotiated interface identifier, to ensure that the address request device can successfully access the network.