Mobile Device Tunneling Protocol Switching via ePDG
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile phone devices are unable to access operator applications via a wireless Internet connection when the firewall associated with the connection does not support the IPsec tunneling protocol, preventing successful connection establishment through an ePDG of the cellular network.
Innovation Solution
The mobile phone device attempts to establish a connection using the IPsec tunneling protocol first, and if unsuccessful, it switches to alternative tunneling protocols like TLS or PPTP, allowing it to successfully connect via the ePDG and access operator applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile phone device uses IPsec tunneling protocol to establish connection via ePDG, then the connection security and operator application access are improved, but the compatibility with firewalls that do not support IPsec deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the tunneling protocol parameter from IPsec to alternative protocols (TLS, PPTP, L2TP) when the firewall does not support IPsec. The mobile device detects firewall protocol support and dynamically switches between different tunneling protocols to establish connection, thereby maintaining reliability while improving adaptability to different firewall configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mobile phone device switches to alternative tunneling protocols when IPsec fails, then the adaptability to different firewalls is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal connection establishment mechanism that can handle multiple tunneling protocols (IPsec, TLS, PPTP, L2TP) within a single connection manager. The mobile device includes a protocol detection module and a protocol switching module that work together to provide multi-functional protocol support, reducing the need for separate connection management systems for each protocol type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary protocol detection and switching mechanism between the mobile device and the firewall. This intermediary layer detects which protocols are supported by the firewall and automatically selects the appropriate tunneling protocol, thereby managing the complexity of multiple protocols through a centralized mediation layer rather than requiring complex distributed decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A user device may receive an access request to access an application provided by a cellular carrier associated with the user device. The user device may use a first type of tunneling protocol to establish a connection, via an evolved packet data gateway (ePDG), to a server that provides the application; determines whether the connection is established using the first type of tunneling protocol; and use a second type of tunneling protocol to establish the connection when the connection is not established using the first type of tunneling protocol. The user device may also use the connection to access the application via the ePDG.