Secure NAT Port Block Allocation via Threshold-Based Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network address translation (NAT) operations in computing and communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing port blocks, leading to potential exhaustion of available network addresses and security vulnerabilities due to ambiguities in network time corrections.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a node determines the allocation and release of port blocks based on a threshold, reallocating a least recently used port block from a global LRU list to maintain session security and optimize resource utilization, thereby reducing the number of allocated port blocks and enhancing security by randomizing port block utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If port blocks are allocated to communication sessions to enable traffic transport, then network connectivity is improved, but available network addresses may be exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a mechanism to release port blocks from sessions that have expired or are no longer active, making these port blocks available for reallocation to new sessions. This recovering of previously allocated resources prevents exhaustion of available network addresses while maintaining connectivity for active sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic port block allocation and release based on session state changes. Port blocks are allocated when sessions are established and released when sessions expire or become inactive, creating a dynamic resource management system that adapts to changing network conditions and prevents address exhaustion.
2Quantity of substance
If port blocks are released from expired sessions to be reallocated, then available network addresses increase, but security vulnerabilities arise due to ambiguities in network time corrections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms to track the allocation history of port blocks and determine when they should be released. By monitoring session state changes and using this feedback information, the system can securely determine when port blocks should be released without falling victim to ambiguities in network time corrections, thus preventing security vulnerabilities while maximizing address availability.
3Productivity
If port blocks are reallocated based on usage patterns, then resource utilization is optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system automatically tracks and manages port block allocation based on session state changes. The NAT device autonomously determines when to release and reallocate port blocks without external intervention, optimizing resource utilization while keeping the management logic contained within the NAT device itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A node is configured to receive, from a second node, a request to establish a session; perform, in response to the request, a network address translation (NAT) operation to establish the session, the NAT operation causing a first port block to be allocated to the session, the first port block including a first set of ports via which traffic, associated with the session, is transported; determine that the set of ports are no longer available for the session; determine whether a quantity of times that the first port block has been allocated to the session is greater than a threshold; and retain the first port block, for the session, when the quantity of times that the first port block has been allocated to the session is not greater than the threshold.