Multi-Interface Driver for Seamless Network Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile IP technologies struggle to provide seamless connectivity across multiple network interfaces, especially when devices with multiple wireless and wired interfaces move between networks, as they often disrupt existing application sessions and fail to work with applications like IPSec clients that manipulate routing tables.
Innovation Solution
A multi-interface mobility client that manages network interfaces by using a network layer and a multi-interface driver to switch between interfaces without disturbing higher-layer protocols, hiding the switching process and maintaining continuous connectivity through intelligent interface selection based on physical and subjective characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Mobile IP protocol is used to maintain home IP address across networks, then network mobility is improved, but application sessions are disrupted due to IP address changes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the network interface functionality by introducing a separate multi-interface driver layer between the network layer and physical interfaces. This driver manages multiple physical interfaces (wireless, wired) independently while presenting a unified virtual interface to the network layer, allowing interface switching without disrupting upper-layer application sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-interface driver acts as an intermediary layer that mediates between the network layer and physical interfaces. It handles the complexity of multiple physical interfaces and provides a stable virtual interface to the network layer, enabling seamless switching while maintaining session continuity for applications like IPSec clients.
2Ease of operation
If routing tables are manipulated to effect mobility, then interface switching is achieved, but disruptions occur to higher layer protocols and applications
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the routing manipulation functionality from the network layer and relocates it to the multi-interface driver layer. By performing interface selection and switching at the driver level rather than manipulating routing tables at the network layer, the solution achieves interface switching without disrupting higher layer protocols and applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new dimensional layer (the multi-interface driver) between the network layer and physical interfaces. This additional layer handles the complexity of interface management and routing decisions, isolating the network layer from switching operations and preventing disruptions to protocols like IPSec that manipulate routing tables.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple physical network interfaces are used, then connectivity options are increased, but complexity of managing interfaces and maintaining seamless mobility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-interface driver provides universal functionality by managing multiple types of physical interfaces (wireless, wired) through a single unified structure. It performs interface selection, switching, and coordination for all interface types, reducing management complexity while maintaining versatile connectivity options.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple physical interface management functions into a single multi-interface driver component. By combining interface selection, switching logic, and coordination into one unified driver layer, the solution simplifies the complexity of managing multiple interfaces while preserving all connectivity options.
4Device complexity
If interface switching is performed at network layer, then mobility management is simplified, but packet loss occurs during switching transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-interface driver performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring and monitoring multiple physical interfaces before switching occurs. It maintains interface state information and prepares switch-over parameters in advance, enabling rapid transitions with minimal packet loss while keeping mobility management complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining active connections and state information across interface transitions. The multi-interface driver coordinates switching operations to minimize interruptions, ensuring that packet transmission continues smoothly during transitions without significant packet loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile node comprises: a plurality of network interfaces, each with a respective device driver; a network layer; a multi-interface driver capable of communication with each network interface by way of the respective device driver for that network interface, the multi-interface driver handling communications from the network layer to any of the network interfaces; the multi-interface driver switching from a first one of the network interfaces to a second one of the network interfaces by changing the one of the plurality of network interfaces with which the multi-interface driver communicates, while hiding the switching from the network layer.