Automated NAT Port Forwarding Sync for Redundant Routers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for synchronizing static port forwarding entries in redundant network elements, especially in carrier-grade networks, are prone to errors due to manual provisioning and lack of automation, particularly in heterogeneous environments without internal synchronization protocols.
Innovation Solution
A network management system method that sends provisioning requests to active network elements, updates a management database with current mappings, and synchronizes these mappings with standby elements using protocols like SNMP, CLI, or NETCONF, ensuring accurate and automated synchronization across different vendor network elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual provisioning is used for static port forwarding entries, then configuration flexibility is maintained, but synchronization accuracy deteriorates due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the network management system automatically discovers, provisions, and synchronizes static port forwarding entries across active and standby network elements without requiring manual human intervention, thereby eliminating human error while maintaining configuration flexibility through automated workflows
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by querying active network elements for their current mapping configurations, comparing them against the management system database, and automatically detecting and correcting any synchronization discrepancies between active and standby elements
2Manufacturing precision
If automated synchronization is implemented, then synchronization accuracy improves, but system complexity increases due to additional protocols and mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The network management system performs multiple functions including configuration management, automatic discovery, query operations, database updates, and synchronization across heterogeneous network elements from different vendors using universal protocols like SNMP, CLI, and NETCONF, thereby achieving high synchronization accuracy without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The network management system acts as an intermediary between active and standby network elements, mediating the synchronization process by centralizing the management database and coordinating configuration updates through standardized protocols, which simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining high synchronization accuracy
3Device complexity
If manual provisioning is used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming manual steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically discovering and provisioning static port forwarding entries on active network elements before failover events occur, and pre-synchronizing these configurations to standby elements, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual provisioning steps and significantly improving deployment productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action through automated real-time synchronization between active and standby network elements, ensuring that configuration updates are continuously propagated without interruption or manual intervention, thereby dramatically improving synchronization productivity while keeping implementation straightforward
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to providing a centralized synchronization method for redundant network elements and is particularly advantageous to routers providing network address translation (NAT) services requiring static port forwarding provisioning. Synchronization is provided by a network management system which can handle one or more backup routers or other network elements using a control protocol different from the control protocol used by the active router.