Network Sharing via Driver NAT Module
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PC hotspot technologies face instability and compatibility issues due to reliance on Windows system components like Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) and Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS), which result in high failure rates, difficulty in troubleshooting, and potential system crashes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for network sharing that utilizes a driver module and a NAT module to convert and encapsulate wireless-protocol data packets into Ethernet-protocol packets, allowing network sharing without relying on the Windows operating system framework, thereby avoiding limitations and potential crashes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) is used for network address translation, then network sharing function is achieved, but system stability deteriorates due to high failure rate and poor stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the network address translation function from the ICS component and implements it through a custom driver module that operates independently of the ICS service. This separates the core networking function from the unstable ICS dependency, allowing network sharing to work without relying on the problematic system service.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a driver module as an intermediary layer between the wireless network adapter and the operating system networking stack. This driver module handles packet conversion and NAT operations directly, mediating communications without depending on the unstable ICS service or higher-level networking components.
2Ease of operation
If NDIS driver is used for network address translation, then network sharing function is achieved, but system stability deteriorates due to potential blue screen and crash
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the NAT functionality from the NDIS framework and implements it through a driver module that operates at a lower level, directly interfacing with the wireless network adapter hardware. This eliminates the harmful dependency on NDIS kernel-mode drivers that can cause blue screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a user-mode driver module that can be easily loaded and unloaded without affecting system stability. Unlike kernel-mode NDIS drivers, this user-mode module can fail or be restarted without causing blue screens or system crashes, making it a more forgiving and reliable solution.
3Ease of operation
If NDIS driver is installed, then network sharing function is achieved, but ease of installation deteriorates due to low success rate and difficulty in uninstallation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the network sharing implementation from the complex NDIS installation process and presents it as a simple driver module that can be installed independently. This module can be loaded through standard Windows mechanisms without requiring complex setup procedures or system framework integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network sharing functionality into a separate, self-contained driver module that can be installed and removed independently of other system components. This modular approach allows for easier installation and uninstallation compared to the integrated NDIS driver that becomes part of the Windows networking stack.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless network adapter is connected to a computing device. A driver module of the wireless network adapter converts a wireless-protocol data packet received through the wireless network adapter into an Ethernet-protocol data packet. A network address translation (NAT) module determines a Socket associated with a source address and a destination address of the Ethernet-protocol data packet, and sends valid data of the Ethernet-protocol data packet through the Socket. Additionally or alternatively, the NAT module encapsulates data into the Ethernet-protocol data packet after receiving the data through the Socket, and the driver module converts the Ethernet-protocol data packet into the wireless-protocol data packet, and sends the wireless-protocol data packet through the wireless network adapter. The present disclosure can implement functions of a device hotspot and is not limited by an operating system framework.