NAT Network Interface Identifier Routing for SCTP Ambiguity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of Stream Control Transport Protocol (SCTP) with Network Address Translators (NAT) poses challenges due to the need for port translation coordination across multiple NATs, leading to increased complexity and resource requirements, especially in multi-homed network environments where ambiguity resolution is difficult without modifying port numbers.
Innovation Solution
A communication network architecture that employs a Network Address Translator (NAT) capable of translating between public and private addresses for multi-homed network elements, using network interface identifiers to resolve ambiguity without port translation, allowing multiple network interfaces to be supported by the same or different NATs without requiring coordination or reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If port translation coordination is used across multiple NATs to resolve ambiguity, then SCTP compatibility is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the port translation function from the NAT system and replaces it with network interface identifier-based routing. By removing the port translation mechanism and using only network interface identifiers to distinguish between multiple network elements, the system achieves SCTP compatibility without requiring complex port coordination across NATs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces network interface identifiers as an intermediary mechanism between NATs and multi-homed network elements. These identifiers serve as a mediator that allows NATs to distinguish between different network interfaces without needing to coordinate port translations, thereby simplifying the NAT operation while maintaining SCTP association integrity
2Reliability
If port translation is used to support multiple network interfaces behind a single NAT, then ambiguity resolution is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to required coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the port translation mechanism from the system and replaces it with network interface identifier-based routing. This extraction eliminates the need for manual port coordination and configuration, making the system easier to operate while maintaining the ability to resolve ambiguity between multiple network interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables multi-homed network elements to self-identify their network interfaces through embedded network interface identifiers in SCTP packets. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external NAT configuration or port management, allowing the network elements to automatically resolve their own ambiguity without human intervention
3Device complexity
If network interface identifiers are used instead of port translation, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to existing SCTP implementations may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the network interface identifier mechanism universal by having all network elements in the network include these identifiers in their SCTP packets. This universal adoption ensures that the simplified NAT operation can handle all SCTP traffic consistently, maintaining compatibility across different SCTP implementations while reducing NAT complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having network elements embed their network interface identifiers in SCTP packets during the association establishment phase. This preliminary inclusion of identifiers ensures that NATs can immediately use these identifiers for routing decisions without requiring complex adaptation logic, thereby maintaining compatibility while simplifying NAT operation
Data Source
AI summary
A communication network comprising a Network Address Translator (NAT) arranged to translate between a public NAT address and a plurality of private NAT addresses. A network element has a plurality of network interfaces each of which corresponds to a private NAT address. A connection processor sets up a connection for data communication which is capable of supporting a plurality of network interfaces of the network element. An identifier processor initializes a network interface identifier for identifying individual network interfaces for the connection. The network interface identifier is distributed to the NAT and the network elements of the connection. Incoming data packets for the network elements are then adapted to include the network interface identifier and the NAT uses this to address the data packets in response to the first network interface identifier.