Push Communication Across Network Boundary Using NAT Micro-Port Forwarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for facilitating push communication across network boundaries, such as those using General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), face limitations due to the scarcity of public IP addresses, making it impractical to support a large number of target devices simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that retain a private address for target devices within a packet service network, allowing for communication activation and message transmission only when a push communication is detected, thereby optimizing resource usage and enabling multiple concurrent connections through micro-port forwarding and data forwarding rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If public IP addresses are assigned to each target device for push communication, then push communication capability is enabled, but the system runs out of public IP addresses when supporting large numbers of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a boundary device (NAT router) as an intermediary between the public network and private network. This boundary device performs network address translation, mapping multiple private IP addresses to a single public IP address. The translation table stores mappings between private addresses and their corresponding public port numbers, enabling multiple target devices to share one public IP address while maintaining individual communication channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the address space by introducing port numbers as an additional dimension. Instead of relying solely on IP addresses for device identification, the system uses the combination of public IP address and port number to uniquely identify each communication channel. This dimensional extension allows one public IP address to serve multiple target devices simultaneously.
2Reliability
If the packet service network is activated for push communication, then communication reliability is improved, but network overhead and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic activation of the packet service network. The boundary device monitors incoming push communication requests and activates network resources only when needed. The PDP context activation is triggered on-demand based on the arrival of push messages, allowing the system to transition between active and inactive states dynamically, thereby reducing unnecessary resource consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary address translation and message transformation at the boundary device before forwarding to the target. By pre-processing the communication request, translating private addresses to public addresses, and preparing the message format in advance, the system reduces the computational overhead and processing time required when the actual communication occurs, improving overall efficiency.
3Productivity
If private addresses are used with micro-port forwarding, then the number of supported concurrent connections increases, but address translation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary device automatically manages the translation table and performs address translation without requiring manual configuration for each connection. When a push message arrives, the system automatically looks up the private address in the translation table, retrieves the corresponding public port number, and performs the translation. This self-service mechanism reduces manual overhead and enables automatic handling of multiple concurrent connections.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method and apparatus for facilitating push communication from a first network to a target device of a second network, the second network comprising a packet service network such as a GPRS core network. A private IP address, usable for addressing the target device when the packet service network is in an activated state with respect thereto, is retained. Upon receipt of a first message from the first network, indicative of a push communication for the target device, the packet service network is disposed into the activated state, and a second message, addressed to the private IP address, is transmitted. The second message may be generated by a NAT configured to implement micro-port forwarding. The second message may be generated by a representative device of the second network, configured to receive the first message via a NAT in response to a query generated by the representative device.