Session Border Controller Data Path Establishment for ICE Clipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Session data clipping occurs when Session Border Controllers (SBCs) anchor media between endpoint devices during Interactive Connectivity Establishment (ICE) protocol procedures, leading to loss of data, particularly problematic in authentication or validation processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing mechanisms such as STUN proxying and STUN multiplying within Session Border Controllers to establish data paths before completing connectivity checks, ensuring that data is not clipped by buffering or parallel testing of candidate address pairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Session Border Controllers anchor media between endpoint devices during ICE protocol procedures, then media anchoring and control capabilities are improved, but session data clipping and data loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
The SBC performs preliminary actions by establishing the data path and buffering incoming session data before the connectivity check is complete. The SBC proactively sets up the communication path in advance and holds the data in a buffer until the peer endpoint is ready to receive it, preventing data clipping while maintaining media anchoring control.
Solution Approach 2:
The SBC acts as an intermediary between the endpoint devices, receiving session data from one endpoint and forwarding it to the other endpoint after the connectivity check succeeds. The SBC mediates the data flow by buffering and relaying data packets, ensuring that data is not clipped while maintaining the anchored media path.
2Reliability
If connectivity checks are performed sequentially to ensure proper data path establishment, then data clipping is prevented, but connection establishment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SBC maintains continuous useful action by buffering session data continuously during the connectivity check process. Instead of waiting for the connectivity check to complete before receiving data, the SBC continuously buffers incoming data in memory, ensuring that the data path establishment process can proceed without interruption while preventing data clipping.
3Reliability
If the SBC waits for connectivity check completion before forwarding data, then data clipping is prevented, but data transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SBC dynamically adjusts its data forwarding behavior based on the connectivity check status. During the connectivity check, the SBC buffers data dynamically in memory. Once the connectivity check succeeds, the SBC dynamically switches to forwarding mode, continuously relaying buffered data to the peer endpoint without unnecessary delay, thus balancing reliability and transmission speed.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to communications apparatus, systems, and methods for preventing and/or minimizing session data clipping/loss when using the ICE protocol procedures on a session border controller. An exemplary method embodiment of operating a Session Border Controller (SBC) includes, receiving, at the SBC, an initial offer message from a first user equipment device directed to a second user equipment device, said initial offer message including one or more candidate addresses for the first user equipment device; and establishing a data path between the SBC and the second user equipment device in response to receiving said initial offer message prior to establishing a data session between the first user equipment device and the session border controller.