Internet Virtual LAN Bridge for P2P Overlay Network Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional peer-to-peer (P2P) overlay networks are limited in their ability to provide seamless connectivity between private and public networks, are restricted to specific applications, and lack efficient configuration and management tools, making it difficult for multiple applications to share the same network and for users to manage overlay networks effectively.
Innovation Solution
The development of an Internet virtual LAN (IVLAN) architecture that combines P2P overlay networks, virtual private networks (VPNs), and virtual local area networks (VLANs) to create a server-less, virtual IP network, enabling standard local area network-like properties over the Internet without a central server, using a Windows P2P SDK to extend the network graphing component with a routing protocol and a virtual IP layer based on a TAP interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional P2P overlay networks are used, then applications can communicate directly without hosted infrastructure, but the network is only available to applications that specifically program to the overlay network APIs and cannot be used for general network communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network bridge as an intermediary component that sits between the P2P overlay network and the physical network interface. This bridge translates and forwards packets between the overlay network namespace and the physical network, enabling standard TCP/IP applications to communicate over the P2P network without requiring application-specific programming. The bridge acts as a mediator that makes the overlay network transparent to standard applications.
2Productivity
If conventional P2P overlay networks are used, then direct peer-to-peer communication is enabled, but it is difficult for multiple applications to share the same overlay network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network namespace by introducing virtual network interfaces (vnet interfaces) that allow multiple applications to have isolated yet shared access to the same P2P overlay network. Each application or group of applications can be assigned to a specific virtual interface, enabling multiple applications to share the overlay network simultaneously while maintaining their own network contexts and configurations.
3Reliability
If conventional P2P overlay networks are used, then resilient communication and low-latency data transfer are achieved, but users have no direct standard way of configuring and managing overlay networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the network bridge automatically performs configuration tasks such as assigning virtual interface parameters, managing packet forwarding rules, and maintaining overlay network connections. The system can automatically discover and configure network paths, reducing the need for manual user intervention while maintaining communication resilience through automatic retry and path selection logic.
Data Source
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AI summary
Architecture for exposing a virtual private network of peer devices into the public domain via an overlay network. Computing devices, peripheral devices, as well as mobile devices can be physically distributed, but appear to belong to the same virtual private (or home) network, and be accessible from anywhere. Benefits include access to user media/documents from anywhere, searching of all connected devices from one location, multicast and broadcast connectivity, management of the private network and the associated policies, and device discovery on the private network from across public networks. P2P networks and ad-hoc networks can be exposed as a virtual interface, as well as utilization of client operating systems to create the virtual network, grouping, graphing, the integration with relay services and other NAT/firewall traversal schemes, and creation of a P2P overlay manager on a physical NIC (network interface card) address rather than a virtual address.