Network Node Address Mapping for NAT Flow Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In networks utilizing Network Address Translation (NAT), nodes on different sides of a NAT device view packets with different addresses, making it difficult for monitoring and traffic control nodes to identify and manage packet flows consistently, as they only know either the public or private addresses but not both.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where network nodes can request and determine alternate address mappings by generating and transmitting request messages to other nodes, receiving responses with corresponding alternate addresses, and storing these mappings to facilitate communication and flow management across NAT devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If Network Address Translation (NAT) is used to allow multiple devices to share a single public IP address, then the address space utilization is improved, but the ability to identify and manage packet flows consistently across NAT devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an address mapping table as an intermediary data structure that stores the correspondence between public IP addresses and private IP addresses. This mapping table acts as a mediator that allows nodes to translate between the public address view and private address view, thereby maintaining packet flow identification capability despite NAT address translation. The mapping table contains entries that link the public IP-port pairs to the corresponding private IP-port pairs, enabling consistent flow identification across the NAT boundary.
2Reliability
If NAT devices translate addresses between public and private networks, then network security and address conservation are improved, but the complexity of maintaining address mappings and flow identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where nodes automatically generate address mapping requests when they encounter packets with unknown address mappings. The system autonomously queries for the alternate address mapping, receives the mapping information, and populates the address mapping table without requiring manual configuration or complex centralized management. This self-service approach reduces the operational complexity of maintaining address mappings while preserving network security through NAT.
3Ease of manufacture
If nodes only know one side of the address mapping (either public or private), then NAT functionality is simplified, but the ability to monitor and control traffic across the network deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to the address information by maintaining both public address and private address views simultaneously in the address mapping table. Instead of nodes being limited to a single address dimension (either public or private), the system creates a two-dimensional address space where each mapping entry contains both the public IP-port pair and the corresponding private IP-port pair. This dimensional expansion enables comprehensive traffic monitoring and control while preserving the simplicity of NAT implementation, as nodes can query and utilize both address dimensions as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: identifying, at the network node, a packet associated with a first address; determining, at the network node, that an alternate address mapping is unknown to the network node for the first address; generating a request message based on at least a portion of the packet; transmitting the request message to a different node; receiving a response message, the response message including a second address, wherein the second address is an alternative address for the first address; and storing the first address and the second address together as an alternate address mapping.