NAT Log Transmission Probe Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network address translation (NAT) technologies face low log storage reliability due to the unreliable nature of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) used for sending dynamic mapping relationship logs, which can result in incomplete or lost log data.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a data transmission method that involves sending probe packets to a log server to determine its readiness before transmitting log packets, using mechanisms like heartbeat probe packets, ICMP probe packets, and UDP probe packets to ensure the log server is capable of receiving data, thereby improving the reliability of log packet transmission and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If UDP protocol is used to send log packets from NAT device to log server, then transmission speed and simplicity are improved, but reliability of log storage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidlog storage reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by sending probe packets before transmitting log packets to verify the log server's receiving capability. The NAT device periodically sends probe packets to the log server to detect whether the server is available for receiving log packets, and only sends log packets when the server is confirmed to be available, thereby preventing log loss while maintaining efficient transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If probe packet mechanism is implemented to check log server availability, then log storage reliability is improved, but system complexity and transmission overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelog storage reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the probe packet mechanism to serve multiple functions: it not only detects the log server's availability but also establishes and maintains the communication channel between the NAT device and the log server. The same probe packet infrastructure is used for both detection and channel maintenance, reducing the need for separate mechanisms and minimizing additional system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3869741B1Data transmission method and apparatus and system
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3869741B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3869741B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3869741B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This application discloses a data transmission method, apparatus, and system, and belongs to the field of communications technologies. The method is used for a network device, and includes: sending a probe packet to a log server; depending on whether a probe response packet returned by the log server is received, detecting whether the log server can receive a packet; and when it is determined that the log server can receive a packet, sending a log packet to the log server. In this application, a probe mechanism is established between the network device and the log server, and the log packet is sent to the log server after it is determined that the log server can receive a packet, thereby improving reliability of log packet transmission and storage.