Home Network Access via Mobile Tunnel and Traffic Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting client devices to home area networks via mobile communication networks require significant operational effort and do not provide a seamless user experience, often involving complex port forwarding or VPN setups, and lack efficient traffic management between home and public networks.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes a mobile communication network to establish a tunnel with a residential gateway, splitting traffic destined for the home area network from Internet traffic, and implementing forwarding rules to mimic a home connection experience without traversing the Internet, using verified client device identifiers for security and authorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing methods for connecting client devices to home area networks via mobile communication networks are used, then connection capability is provided, but operational effort is significant and user experience is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service connection by automatically establishing tunnels between the mobile communication network and residential gateway, and autonomously configuring forwarding rules. The client device simply requests connection while the network infrastructure handles tunnel establishment, address assignment, and traffic routing configuration without requiring user intervention in complex setup procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile communication network acts as an intermediary by establishing a tunnel through its infrastructure to connect the client device to the home area network. The network operator's infrastructure mediates the connection, providing seamless access without requiring direct peer-to-peer configuration between the client and home network devices.
2Reliability
If port forwarding or VPN setups are used to connect to home area networks, then connectivity is achieved, but device complexity and configuration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically configures all necessary network parameters including tunnel establishment, address assignment from the home network's address pool, and forwarding rule configuration. The client device receives its configuration automatically without requiring manual setup of port forwarding rules or VPN parameters, eliminating configuration complexity while maintaining reliable connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile communication network provides a universal connection mechanism that works across different home area network configurations. The tunnel-based approach and automated forwarding rule configuration create a standardized interface that handles various network topologies and device types without requiring configuration-specific adjustments.
3Ease of operation
If direct home network connectivity is used, then seamless user experience is provided, but traffic management efficiency decreases when outside the home network
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments traffic into two categories: traffic destined for the home area network and Internet traffic. The forwarding rules at the mobile network level automatically route home network traffic through the established tunnel while Internet traffic flows directly through the mobile network infrastructure. This segmentation maintains seamless user experience for home network access while optimizing traffic management efficiency by avoiding unnecessary tunnel traversal for Internet traffic.
Data Source
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AI summary
The system of the invention is configured to receive from a client device (41) located in the mobile communication network (1) a request to connect to a home area network (5), determine an identifier of a residential gateway (61) in the home area network or of a fixed-line network (3) to which the home area network is coupled, and transmit a request for an address and a range of addresses in the home area network to the residential gateway or the fixed-line network corresponding to the determined identifier. The system is further configured to receive the address and the range of addresses from the residential gateway or the fixed-line network, transmit the address to the client device, establish a tunnel with the residential gateway and establish a forwarding rule at a forwarding function (15) of the mobile communication network.