IPv6 Addressing via Tunnel Endpoint Identifier in IPv4 Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packet radio networks, such as GPRS, are designed to support Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) and struggle to efficiently communicate Internet packet data using Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6), which is necessary for newer applications and services like IMS, due to compatibility issues and the need for different addressing schemes.
Innovation Solution
A telecommunications system that enables communication of IPv6 internet packet data through a packet radio network optimized for IPv4 by using a tunnelling protocol to form compatible addresses with a tunnelling end identifier, allowing automatic routing of IPv6 packets over IPv4 bearers, thereby bypassing Traffic Flow Templates and enabling access to IPv6 applications and services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a packet radio network is established to support IPv4, then the network can communicate IPv4 packets efficiently, but it cannot communicate IPv6 packets due to protocol incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary mechanism (tunneling protocol bearer with TEID) to bridge IPv6 packets over an IPv4 network infrastructure. The tunneling endpoint identifier acts as a mediator that allows IPv6 traffic to be transported through IPv4 bearers without requiring the entire network to support IPv6, thus resolving the protocol incompatibility while maintaining communication reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If IPv6 is adopted in a IPv4-based network, then access to IPv6 applications and services is enabled, but the network requires complex protocol translation and tunneling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing user equipment to automatically form IPv6-compatible addresses using the tunneling endpoint identifier from the allocated bearer. This automatic address formation eliminates the need for manual configuration or complex protocol translation mechanisms, reducing network configuration complexity while maintaining broad protocol support
3Productivity
If Traffic Flow Templates are used to route IPv4 packets, then packet routing is controlled efficiently, but they cannot recognize or route IPv6 packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to the addressing scheme by incorporating the tunneling endpoint identifier into the IPv6 address structure. This dimensional addition allows the system to maintain the efficient TFT-based routing mechanism for IPv4 while simultaneously enabling IPv6 packet recognition and routing through the extended address format that includes the TEID component
Data Source
AI summary
A telecommunications system for communicating internet packet data in accordance with a first internet protocol (IPV6) via a packet radio network operable in accordance a second internet protocol (IPV4). The system comprises a user equipment operable to request a bearer for communicating internet protocol data according to the second internet protocol (IPV4) to and from a gateway support node of the packet radio network. The gateway support node is operable to establish a tunnelling protocol bearer for communicating the internet packet data to and from the user equipment across the packet radio network. The user equipment is operable in combination with the gateway support node to form an address which is compatible with the first internet protocol (IPv6). The address includes an interface identifier having a tunnel endpoint identifier of the tunnelling protocol bearer which ends at the gateway support node of the packet radio network. The internet packet data is communicated to and from a correspondent node via the gateway support node and the established bearer using internet protocol address which is compatible with the first internet protocol (Ipv6). Systems according to the present invention are arranged to generate an address, which is compatible with a first internet protocol which can be used to communicate internet packet data via a packet radio network which has been arranged to support internet packets data according to a second internet protocol. The first internet protocol may be the IPv6 and the second internet protocol may be IPv4.