Router Relay Apparatus for Multi-Router Home Network Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home networks with multiple routers connected in series often experience communication failures due to misconfiguration, and existing solutions requiring an external connection assistance server are ineffective when the server is not positioned correctly within the network.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with a relay function that determines address ranges, establishes and manages communication paths, and relays messages across multiple routers, allowing communication between devices even when the connection assistance server is not always located on the Internet side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connection assistance server is provided outside the home network, then communication between apparatuses can be established, but the method cannot be used unless the home network is connected to an external network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a connection assistance server as an intermediary component that can be positioned either inside or outside the home network. This mediator facilitates communication path establishment between communication apparatuses by managing address translation and routing information, enabling the system to adapt to different network configurations without requiring external network connectivity
2Ease of operation
If the connection assistance server is installed by a user who does not understand the network, then the server may be connected to any position in the home network, but the conventional method cannot be used in a home network including one or more routers connected in series
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assistance server implements automatic feedback mechanisms to detect its position within the network hierarchy and adapt its address translation behavior accordingly. The server monitors communication requests and responses to determine whether it is positioned before or after routers, automatically adjusting its address translation settings to maintain reliable communication paths without requiring manual user configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The server performs self-configuration by automatically detecting its network position and adjusting its address translation function accordingly. When a communication request arrives, the server autonomously determines whether address translation is needed based on the source and destination addresses, eliminating the need for manual configuration while ensuring reliable communication path establishment
3Area of stationary object
If multiple routers are connected in series in the home network, then network coverage is extended, but communication between apparatuses is disabled due to NAPT function and firewall function
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assistance server acts as a mediator that bypasses the NAPT and firewall restrictions of multiple routers. By positioning the server at a strategic point in the network and using it to manage address translation, the system creates a dedicated communication path that is not blocked by the routers' security functions, maintaining communication capability across extended network coverage
4Reliability
If address translation (NAPT) setting is automatically performed with respect to the router, then communication from LAN side to WAN side is possible, but communication cannot be started from WAN side to LAN side
Solution Approach 1:
The connection assistance server dynamically adjusts its address translation behavior based on the direction of communication requests. When a request arrives from the WAN side, the server automatically performs address translation to forward the request to the LAN side apparatus. When a request arrives from the LAN side, the server translates the destination address to the appropriate WAN side address. This dynamic adaptation enables bi-directional communication while maintaining the automatic NAPT setting
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus which is capable of performing bi-directional communication via a router in a local network including one or more routers is provided. An upper segment determination section obtains address range information under an upper router which is connected on an external network side of a router to which the communication apparatus is connected. A terminal communication path holding section connects and holds a communication path to another communication apparatus in the local network. A message relay section relays a communication message from the other communication apparatus. When the terminal communication path holding section receives a first request message requesting to establish a communication path from the other communication apparatus, the terminal communication path holding section stores source address information of the received first request message, and transmit a response message to the stored source address information to establish a communication path to the other communication apparatus.