Router-Terminated VPN Sessions for Headless Client Traffic Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional VPN connection methods require client computing devices to execute VPN client software or connect to a network device providing a VPN connection, posing challenges for headless devices that cannot be configured with such software.
Innovation Solution
A router computing device manages multiple client-specific VPN connections by instantiating VPN client sessions without requiring special configuration or installation of VPN client software on the client devices, using router-terminated VPN client sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional VPN connection methods are used, then client computing devices can access VPNs, but the client devices must execute VPN client software or connect to a network device providing VPN connection
Solution Approach 1:
The router acts as an intermediary device that terminates VPN client sessions on behalf of client computing devices. Instead of requiring clients to directly establish VPN connections, the router receives VPN configuration data, instantiates VPN client sessions, and routes traffic through these sessions, thereby simplifying client device requirements while maintaining VPN access capability
Solution Approach 2:
The router is designed to provide multiple functions including routing, firewall protection, and VPN connection management. By integrating VPN client session instantiation and management capabilities into the router, the system eliminates the need for specialized VPN client software on individual devices while maintaining secure VPN access for multiple clients
2Ease of operation
If router-terminated VPN client sessions are used, then multiple client-specific VPN connections can be managed by the router without client-side software, but the router must manage multiple VPN sessions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The router creates separate VPN client sessions for each client computing device or group of devices, segmenting the VPN connection management at the router level. This segmentation allows independent configuration and management of each client's VPN session while centralizing the complexity in the router, which has sufficient processing capacity to handle multiple concurrent sessions
3Reliability
If VPN client software is installed on client devices, then secure network traffic routing is achieved, but headless devices cannot be configured with such software
Solution Approach 1:
The router serves as an intermediary that performs VPN client session instantiation and management on behalf of headless client devices. The router receives VPN configuration data, establishes secure connections to VPN servers, and routes traffic through these sessions, thereby enabling secure VPN access for headless devices without requiring them to execute client software
Solution Approach 2:
The router autonomously manages VPN client sessions by receiving configuration data, instantiating appropriate sessions, and maintaining connections without requiring intervention from or software on the client devices. This self-service capability allows the router to adapt to different client devices and provide consistent VPN access across diverse hardware platforms
Data Source
AI summary
Routing network traffic using router-terminated virtual private network (VPN) client sessions is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a router computing device receives an indication of an association between a client computing device and VPN configuration data for a VPN, the indication comprising an identifier of the client computing device and the VPN configuration data. The router computing device binds a VPN client session instantiated by the router computing device to a network interface and implements a firewall rule to route network traffic to and from the client computing device via the network interface. The router computing device establishes a connection with the VPN using the VPN client session and the VPN configuration data. Finally, the router computing device receives network traffic for the client computing device and routes the network traffic via the network interface.