PPP Dial-on-Demand for IPv6 Using Virtual Prefix

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is no existing scheme for Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)-based dial-on-demand under the Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) protocol, which hinders efficient network access and cost savings in network communications.

Innovation Solution

A PPP-based dial-on-demand method and device that involves a home gateway sending a virtual prefix to a terminal for configuring an IPv6 virtual address, and after confirming a data packet triggers the PPP network connection, the home gateway performs dialing using the IPv6 virtual address, with mechanisms for address configuration and invalid prefix management to enable PPP-based dial-on-demand under IPv6.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If PPP-based dial-on-demand is implemented under IPv6 protocol, then network access efficiency and cost savings are improved, but no existing scheme exists to support this functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork access efficiencyVSAvoidIPv6 protocol compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The home gateway pre-configures a virtual IPv6 prefix and assigns it to the terminal before actual network connection is established. This preliminary address configuration enables the terminal to send data packets with valid IPv6 headers, which can then trigger PPP dialing. The virtual address serves as a placeholder that is later replaced with the actual IPv6 address after successful authentication with the access server.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A virtual IPv6 prefix acts as an intermediary between the terminal and the access server during the connection establishment phase. The terminal uses this virtual prefix to construct IPv6 data packets that can be routed to the home gateway, which then forwards them to the access server for authentication. This intermediary mechanism enables IPv6-compatible dialing without requiring the terminal to have permanent IPv6 addresses configured in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If virtual prefix is assigned to terminal for triggering dialing, then PPP dial-on-demand functionality is enabled, but address management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedial-on-demand functionalityVSAvoidaddress management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The home gateway periodically monitors the validity status of the virtual IPv6 prefix assigned to the terminal. When the actual network connection is established and the terminal receives its permanent IPv6 address from the access server, the gateway detects this change and invalidates the virtual prefix. This periodic validation ensures that the virtual address is only used temporarily during the connection establishment phase, preventing address conflicts and simplifying long-term address management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual IPv6 prefix is designed to be temporary and disposable. Once the terminal successfully authenticates with the access server and receives its permanent IPv6 address, the virtual prefix is discarded (invalidated) and never used again for that terminal. This approach eliminates the need for complex virtual address management systems, as the virtual addresses are simple one-time-use placeholders that are automatically discarded after serving their purpose of triggering the dialing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP3223493B1Point-to-point protocol (PPP)-based dial-on-demand method and device, and computer storage medium
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 ZTE CORP
  • EP3223493B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3223493B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3223493B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed is a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)-based dial-on-demand method. The method includes: a home gateway sends a virtual prefix to a terminal, the virtual prefix being used by the terminal to configure an IPv6 virtual address of the terminal; and the home gateway performs PPP network connection dialing after determining that a received data packet allows triggering of the PPP network connection dialing, the data packet being sent by the terminal using the IPv6 virtual address. Also disclosed are a device and a computer storage medium.