Relay Information Duplication Detection in NAT Gateways
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Solution Overview
Problem
In local network environments, the complexity of setting Network Address Translation (NAT) in routers can lead to overwriting of existing NAT settings, disrupting communication between terminals, and there is a need to enhance the reliability and safety of communication relayed between external and local networks.
Innovation Solution
A method for processing relay information that involves determining duplicates before setting or deleting relay information in a relay device, ensuring that no existing settings are overwritten, and using parameters like port numbers and identifiers to uniquely specify communication terminals, thereby preventing interference and ensuring safe communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a communication terminal requests the router to set NAT automatically via IGD function, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential overwriting of existing NAT settings
Solution Approach 1:
The communication terminal performs a preliminary check by acquiring existing relay information from the router before setting new relay information. This preliminary action prevents overwriting of existing settings by detecting duplicates in advance, thus maintaining reliability while allowing automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the communication terminal acquire and check existing relay information from the router before proceeding with setting new relay information. This feedback mechanism allows the terminal to adjust its behavior based on the current state, preventing harmful overwrites while maintaining automated operation.
2Productivity
If the router overwrites NAT settings without error checking, then the productivity is improved by allowing multiple terminals to set NAT simultaneously, but the reliability deteriorates due to communication disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The communication terminal performs a preliminary check by acquiring existing relay information from the router before setting new relay information. This preliminary action prevents overwriting of existing settings by detecting duplicates in advance, thus maintaining reliability while allowing automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting duplicate relay information before the harmful overwrite occurs. The communication terminal compares its intended relay information with existing settings and prevents the setting operation if duplication is detected, thereby counteracting the potential harmful effect before it can disrupt communication.
3Reliability
If packet filtering is enabled in the router, then the reliability is improved by protecting relay information, but the adaptability deteriorates as terminals cannot freely set relay information
Solution Approach 1:
The communication terminal performs self-service by autonomously checking for duplicate relay information before setting new relay information. The terminal independently determines whether its intended settings would conflict with existing ones and adjusts its behavior accordingly, eliminating the need for restrictive router-side packet filtering while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention improves the reliability and safety of communication in a communications system wherein communication is relayed. When an on-premise terminal 100 sets relay information, such as NAT information or the setting information of a packet filter, in a gateway 110, the relay information is set after confirming whether the NAT information for which a setting attempt is being made duplicates the NAT information of another on-premise terminal 101. The same applies to the case of deleting relay information. If the NAT information is duplicate, then interference with the communication of the other on-premise terminal 101 is prevented by modifying the relay information for which a setting attempt is being made, specifically the port number of the gateway 110 on a global network 001.