Network Address Translation Device for Mobile Intranet Interconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network interconnection technologies face challenges in translating mobile-side IP addresses into intranet-side MAC addresses, leading to difficulties in acquiring IP addresses and authenticating devices across different network layers, particularly due to differences in address systems and packet transfer layers.
Innovation Solution
A network system with a translation device that translates mobile-side IP addresses into intranet-side MAC addresses, utilizing a configuration that includes a mobile-side interface, address translation unit, intranet-side interface, and control unit to manage address translation between networks, enabling the acquisition of intranet-side IP addresses and secure authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a NAT device is provided between networks to translate IP addresses, then IP address translation is achieved, but the MAC address of the mobile network side cannot be acquired, preventing DHCP inquiry and IP address acquisition on the LAN side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a translation device that acts as an intermediary between the mobile network and LAN. This device performs dual-layer translation: translating IP addresses at the network layer and translating MAC addresses at the data link layer. By positioning this intermediary device, the system enables MAC address visibility across network boundaries while maintaining the existing NAT functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between address translation capability and MAC address information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends address translation from a single dimension (IP address at network layer) to multiple dimensions by adding MAC address translation at the data link layer. This multi-dimensional approach allows the system to simultaneously handle both IP address translation for network connectivity and MAC address translation for local network authentication and DHCP operations, thereby overcoming the limitation of traditional single-layer NAT devices.
2Reliability
If the NAT device translates the IP address, then IP address translation is achieved, but the MAC address of the NAT device is used for address-translated packets, making MAC address authentication impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The translation device serves as an intermediary that preserves and translates MAC address information. Instead of the NAT device's MAC address being exposed to the LAN, the translation device translates the mobile terminal's MAC address into a LAN-compatible MAC address format. This allows the LAN side to perform MAC address authentication on the translated address while the translation device maintains the mapping to the original mobile terminal, thus enabling authentication without exposing the NAT device's MAC address.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds MAC address translation capability at the data link layer, creating a multi-layer translation architecture. This allows authentication to be performed on the translated MAC address in the LAN domain while the original MAC address remains protected in the mobile network domain, effectively separating authentication requirements from network address translation and enabling both functions to coexist.
3Adaptability or versatility
If address translation is implemented between networks with different address systems, then network interconnection is achieved, but additional devices on the intranet side are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple translation functions (IP address translation and MAC address translation) into a single translation device. This merged device handles both network layer and data link layer address translation, eliminating the need for separate NAT devices and DHCP translation devices on the intranet side. By consolidating these functions, the system achieves network interconnection between mobile networks and LANs while minimizing the number of additional devices required.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile-side IP address is translated into an intranet-side MAC address, and an IP address for an intranet is acquired. The present invention provides a network system for transferring a packet, including: a first network that controls transfer of data at a first layer; a second network that is connected to the first network and controls transfer of data at a second layer different from the first layer; and a translation device that translates an address between networks, in which the translation device translates the address of the first layer of the first network attached to data transferred from the first network to the second network into the address of the second layer of the second network.