IPv4 to IPv6 Transition via Proxy Tunnel and Address Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The transition from IPv4 to IPv6 networks poses challenges, particularly in ensuring accessibility of network application services between IPv4 and IPv6 hosts and traversing network paths with different domains, due to address shortages and compatibility issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a proxy-based tunnel architecture and selective mapping of network layer addresses between IPv6 and IPv4 protocols, along with Domain Name System (DNS) record management under policy controls, enables hosts using one protocol to access resources on a network using another protocol, facilitating seamless communication and resource access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If Network Address Translation (NAT) is used to alleviate IPv4 address shortage, then address exhaustion problem is temporarily solved, but end-to-end communications for business-critical applications do not function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation network device that acts as a mediator between IPv6-only networks and IPv4 networks. This device performs protocol translation and address mapping, enabling communication between hosts using different IP versions without requiring end hosts to support dual stacks or manual configuration. The intermediary handles the complexity of protocol conversion transparently to end users.
2Quantity of substance
If IPv6 is adopted to replace IPv4, then address space is expanded and NAT is eliminated, but transition mechanisms are needed to maintain service accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The translation network device serves as an intermediary that simplifies the transition process by handling protocol conversion centrally. Rather than requiring complex dual-stack configurations across the entire network infrastructure, the intermediary device provides a single point of translation that maintains service accessibility while enabling IPv6 adoption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the translation functionality from end hosts and concentrates it in dedicated translation network devices. This separation allows end hosts to be simplified IPv6-only devices while the complex translation logic resides in specialized infrastructure components, reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dual stack mechanism is used to support both IPv4 and IPv6, then service accessibility is maintained, but network configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring end hosts to run dual stacks, the intermediary translation device provides protocol compatibility centrally. End hosts can use simplified single-stack configurations (IPv6-only), while the intermediary handles the adaptation to IPv4 networks, reducing device complexity at the host level.
4Adaptability or versatility
If tunneling mechanism is used to encapsulate IPv6 packets in IPv4 headers, then IPv6 connectivity is provided over IPv4 infrastructure, but packet forwarding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The translation network device acts as an intermediary that simplifies packet forwarding by performing protocol translation at the network layer rather than requiring tunneling encapsulation. This approach reduces packet forwarding complexity by directly translating IPv6 packets to IPv4 format instead of wrapping them in additional headers.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to facilitating transitions from IPv4 to IPv6 networks. In particular implementations, the invention facilitates or enables accessibility of network application services between IPv4 and IPv6 hosts, or traversal of network paths including both IPv6 or IPv4 domains. Particular implementations of the invention are directed to selective mapping of network layer addresses between IPv6 and IPv4 protocols and Domain Name System records under one or more policy controls. Other implementations of the invention are directed to a proxy-to-proxy based tunnel architecture allowing hosts implementing a first network layer protocol, such as IPv4, to traverse a network implementing a second network layer protocol, such as IPv6.