Multipath Transport Routing for Seamless NAT Handoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Internet applications face interruptions and increased computing time due to connection resets when packets are rerouted to a different exit point with different network address translation (NAT) configurations, especially in intermediary networks like branch offices or data centers, leading to service interruptions and network delays.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multipath communications protocols like Multipath Transmission Control Protocol (MPTCP) and Quick User Datagram Protocol Internet Connections (QUIC) to seamlessly switch packets to a new exit point while applying application-based policies, using an intermediary device that determines server capability, estimates link quality, and maps policies to configuration tables for seamless connection switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If packets are rerouted to a different exit point with different NAT configurations, then application-based policies can be applied to select optimal routing paths, but connection resets occur leading to service interruptions and increased computing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a multipath transport protocol entity as an intermediary layer between the application layer and the network layer. This entity maintains multiple active connections through different exit points simultaneously, acting as a mediator that can switch between paths without breaking the application connection. The intermediary manages path selection and switching while preserving the end-to-end connection semantics, thus enabling routing flexibility without connection resets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic path selection and switching capabilities where the system can adaptively change routing paths during an active connection based on real-time network conditions, policy requirements, or exit point availability. The multipath transport protocol entity dynamically manages multiple connections and can switch between them seamlessly, making the routing behavior flexible and adaptive rather than static, thereby preventing connection interruptions when changing exit points.
2Productivity
If multiple exit points are available for packet routing, then network bandwidth and link quality can be optimized, but connection resets occur due to different NAT configurations causing service interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous packet flow by maintaining multiple active transport connections simultaneously through different exit points. The multipath transport protocol entity can switch between these connections without interrupting the application-level data flow, ensuring continuity of useful action. When one path becomes suboptimal or unavailable, the system seamlessly transitions to another path without resetting the connection, thus eliminating connection reset delays while optimizing network throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes multiple transport connections in advance through different exit points before routing decisions are needed. The multipath transport protocol entity pre-configures these alternative paths and maintains them in a ready state, so when routing changes are required based on bandwidth or quality considerations, the switch can occur immediately without connection resets. This preliminary establishment of multiple paths eliminates the time loss associated with connection re-establishment.
3Device complexity
If single-path protocols like TCP and UDP are used, then connection management is simple, but connections cannot survive across multiple IP addresses leading to service interruptions when rerouting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transport layer functionality by introducing a multipath transport protocol entity that operates between the application layer and the network layer. This segmentation allows the application to maintain a single logical connection while the transport entity manages multiple physical connections through different exit points and IP addresses. The segmentation preserves protocol simplicity at the application level while enabling multi-path capability at the transport level, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal transport layer entity that can handle both single-path and multi-path scenarios. The multipath transport protocol entity is designed to work with standard TCP/UDP connections while adding multi-path capabilities, making it compatible with existing applications and protocols. This multi-functional design allows the system to maintain simplicity when single-path is sufficient while enabling versatility when multi-path routing is needed, thus resolving the contradiction between protocol simplicity and multi-path capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Described embodiments provide systems and methods for performing multi-stream routing. A device may determine that a server is capable of handling multi-stream protocol connections. The device may identify packets communicated between the client and the server via a first interface for a first connection between a client and the server. The device may estimate, based on the packets, a link quality for each second interface for communicating with the server. The device may identify a policy to apply to the packets. The device may select one of the second interfaces for communicating packets between the client and the server based on a configuration mapping, the link quality, and the policy. The configuration mapping may specify which second interface is to be selected using a mapping of the link quality and the policy. The device may establish a second connection between the client and the server using the selected interface.