NAT Router Dynamic IP Allocation for Mobile Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing NAT routers for mobile use face challenges in managing multiple upstream networks, optimizing connection speed, and dynamically selecting IP address ranges without human intervention, leading to potential conflicts and disruptions when moving between locations.
Innovation Solution
A computer-hosted network address translating router that monitors bandwidth, selects non-conflicting IP address ranges, and manages network traffic across multiple upstream connections, using a method that reassesses and adjusts IP addresses dynamically to avoid conflicts and maintain connectivity without restarting the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a NAT router is used to manage network connections between multiple devices on a LAN and an upstream network, then network security and resource management are improved, but IP address conflicts occur when moving between locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic IP address range selection that automatically adapts to different network environments. The system monitors the upstream network's IP address range and dynamically adjusts the NAT router's internal IP allocation to avoid conflicts, enabling seamless operation across multiple locations without manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the IP address range parameters based on the detected upstream network environment. When moving to a new location, the NAT router detects the upstream IP range and modifies its own IP allocation parameters accordingly, preventing address conflicts while maintaining network stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual IP address configuration is used in NAT routers, then setup simplicity is improved, but professional intervention is required and network restarts are needed when changing locations
Solution Approach 1:
The NAT router performs self-configuration by automatically detecting the upstream network's IP address range and selecting an appropriate internal IP range that avoids conflicts. This eliminates the need for professional intervention and manual configuration, and the system maintains continuous operation without requiring network restarts when moving to new locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the upstream network environment and pre-selects a non-conflicting IP address range before actual network operation begins. This preliminary configuration action prevents conflicts from occurring and eliminates the need for reactive network restarts.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed IP address ranges are used in NAT routers, then configuration stability is improved, but IP address conflicts occur when encountering different upstream networks
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the IP address range parameters based on the detected upstream network environment. By monitoring the upstream IP range and adjusting the internal allocation accordingly, the system maintains configuration stability within each location while adapting to different networks across locations, preventing IP address conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The NAT router implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the upstream network's IP address range and uses this information to adjust its own IP allocation. This feedback loop ensures that the system maintains stable operation in each location while automatically adapting to prevent conflicts when encountering different upstream networks.
4Device complexity
If NAT routers lack dynamic IP selection capability, then device complexity is reduced, but network conflicts require professional intervention and disruptions occur when moving locations
Solution Approach 1:
The NAT router incorporates self-service functionality that automatically detects the upstream network environment and selects an appropriate IP address range without requiring professional intervention. This modest increase in device complexity enables seamless location transitions and prevents network disruptions, improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamic IP address selection capability that automatically adapts to different network environments. This dynamic feature, while adding some complexity to the router, enables smooth location transitions and prevents network conflicts, significantly improving operational ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A Network Address Translating (“NAT”) Router, particularly designed for mobile use, and for managing one or more local area networks, having private internet protocol (“IP”) address ranges, along with multiple “upstream” networks, and for efficiently routing communications traffic to and from the upstream networks, is disclosed. The inventive router allocates multiple network connections of varying quality, to automatically optimize the effective connection speed in a mobile client network with optional personal “hotspot” sub-networks. The inventive NAT router is also capable of managing IP address allocation on local networks to substantially avoid conflicts with other networks encountered in normal use.