Multi-Link IP Stack Architecture for Seamless MAC Address Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Wi-Fi networking technologies using multi-link operation (MLO) and pre-standard dual-STA configurations face inefficiencies and disruptions when MAC addresses change, leading to disassociation from existing connections and inefficient traffic splitting, particularly in randomized and changing MAC address contexts.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a multi-link device (MLD) with multiple IP stacks, each associated with a distinct MAC address, allowing seamless rotation of MAC addresses and concurrent traffic handling across different links, using a multi-link proxy layer to manage traffic and maintain connection continuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standard MLO or pre-STD dual-STA operation is used with RCM, then MAC address rotation can be performed, but connection continuity is broken and traffic splitting becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMAC address rotation capabilityVSAvoidconnection continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the networking stack by creating separate IP stacks for each MAC address. When MAC address rotation occurs, each IP stack remains independently associated with its specific MAC address, preventing connection disruption. The multi-link proxy layer further segments traffic handling by directing packets to the appropriate IP stack based on the destination MAC address.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-link proxy layer acts as an intermediary between the network layer and the physical links. It receives packets, determines the appropriate destination MAC address and associated IP stack, and routes traffic accordingly. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of multi-IP-stack management and enables seamless MAC address rotation without affecting ongoing connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a single MLD MAC address is used for multiple IP protocols, then traffic can be split between physical interfaces, but efficiency decreases and privacy is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic handling efficiencyVSAvoidtraffic management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates separate IP stacks (e.g., IPv4 stack, IPv6 stack) each associated with distinct MAC addresses. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex traffic splitting logic at the MLD level, as each IP stack naturally handles its own traffic independently. The multi-link proxy layer simplifies further by routing based on straightforward MAC address matching rather than complex protocol analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each IP stack is configured with specific local qualities - distinct MAC addresses and associated IP addresses - that optimize its operation. The IPv4 stack uses one set of MAC/IP addresses while the IPv6 stack uses another, allowing each to operate independently with optimized parameters for its specific protocol requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If MAC address rotation is performed in conventional MLO, then privacy can be enhanced, but IP addresses must be renewed causing communication disruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidcommunication session continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the network stack into multiple independent IP stacks, each with its own MAC address association, the system allows MAC address rotation without triggering IP address renewal. When the MAC address changes, the corresponding IP stack simply updates its MAC association while maintaining the same IP address, preventing communication disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary configuration by establishing multiple IP stacks with distinct MAC addresses before rotation is needed. This preparatory setup ensures that when MAC address rotation occurs, the appropriate IP stack is already in place and can immediately continue communication without interruption or renewal requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12513108B2Seamless MAC address rotation in multi-link device using multiple IP stacks

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A method comprising: at a multi-link device (MLD) configured for multi-link operation: establishing a first Internet Protocol (IP) stack of a first IP type and configured with a first IP address of the first IP type, wherein the first IP stack is associated to a first MLD media access control (MAC) address of a first station of the MLD; establishing a second IP stack of a second IP type and configured with a second IP address of the second IP type, wherein the second IP stack exists concurrently with the first IP stack and is associated to a second MLD MAC address of a second station of the MLD; and exchanging, with a peer MLD, IP traffic using one or more of (i) the first IP stack and the first MLD MAC address, and (ii) the second IP stack and the second MLD MAC address.