Operator Service Gateway for Enterprise Intranet Interconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and high costs associated with managing and maintaining enterprise internal networks, particularly due to geographical expansion and the need for interconnection between branches and headquarters, are exacerbated by the difficulty in deploying and updating network services.
Innovation Solution
An IP packet processing method and apparatus that allocates public and internal IP addresses through an operator service gateway, enabling IPSec negotiation and encapsulation of service packets, thereby simplifying network deployment and reducing hardware upgrade needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IPSec VPN is used for interconnection between branches and headquarters, then network security and flexibility are improved, but deployment complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an operator service gateway as an intermediary component that centralizes IPSec VPN management. This gateway handles key generation, certificate management, and tunnel establishment between enterprise networks and the operator network, thereby maintaining security while reducing deployment complexity at individual enterprise sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The operator service gateway performs multiple functions including IPSec tunnel management, address allocation, and network address translation. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional component, the system reduces the number of separate devices needed and simplifies overall network architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If enterprise expands to multiple geographical sites, then network coverage and service capability are improved, but management complexity and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple enterprise intranets across different geographical locations into a unified network architecture through the operator network. The operator service gateway consolidates management of all site connections, allowing centralized control and simplified maintenance regardless of the number of geographical locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The operator network and operator service gateway serve as intermediaries between geographically distributed enterprise sites, enabling standardized management and interconnection without requiring direct point-to-point configuration between each site pair.
3Reliability
If private line service is used for branch interconnection, then network reliability is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtualization to create virtual private network tunnels over the operator's existing network infrastructure, copying the functionality of dedicated private lines without requiring physical private line connections. This approach maintains the security and reliability characteristics of private networks while utilizing shared infrastructure to reduce costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The operator network acts as an intermediary that provides secure virtual tunneling services, replacing the need for expensive direct private line connections between enterprise sites while maintaining comparable reliability through encrypted IPSec tunnels.
4Adaptability or versatility
If hardware devices are updated to support new services, then service capability is improved, but investment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware-based network address translation and tunnel termination functions with software-based implementations in the operator service gateway. This substitution allows service updates and capability enhancements without requiring physical hardware upgrades at enterprise premises.
Solution Approach 2:
The operator service gateway is designed as a multi-functional platform that can provide various network services including IPSec tunneling, address translation, and packet routing. By consolidating these functions in a single software-based system, the solution reduces the need for multiple specialized hardware devices and lowers overall hardware investment.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide an IP packet processing method and apparatus, and a network system. The method includes: allocating, by an operator service gateway, an IP address to a first intranet of an enterprise; and processing, by the operator service gateway according to the IP address, an interactive service packet between the first intranet and a second intranet of the enterprise. In the technical solutions of the present invention, an operator service gateway allocates an IP address to a first intranet of an enterprise, and the operator service gateway processes, according to the IP address, an interactive service packet between the first intranet and a second intranet of the enterprise, thereby reducing deployment complexity of an enterprise internal network, reducing difficulties and costs in management and maintenance of the enterprise internal network, and reducing investment costs for updating hardware devices in the enterprise internal network.