Server-Mediated NAT Traversal for IoT Connection Establishment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection establishment methods fail to efficiently establish connections between nodes behind Network Address Translation (NAT) devices, as they require Session Traversal Utilities for NAT (STUN) functionality, which not all devices support, limiting access and increasing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves a server-assisted connection establishment process, where the server acquires and forwards connection information to enable nodes to establish connections without requiring STUN functionality, using techniques like hole punching and QUIC protocol for NAT traversal, allowing connections between nodes on different networks or the same network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If STUN functionality is required for connection establishment, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and access costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that facilitates connection establishment between nodes behind NAT devices. The server obtains connection information from both the accessed node and the access node, then forwards appropriate connection information to enable direct peer-to-peer connection. This intermediary approach allows nodes without STUN functionality to establish connections reliably, as the server performs the complex NAT traversal coordination on behalf of the endpoints.
2Reliability
If STUN functionality is required for connection establishment, then connection reliability is improved, but accessibility and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as a mediator that handles the complex STUN-based connection establishment process, allowing nodes without STUN functionality to connect. The accessed node simply provides its connection information to the server, and the server manages the rest of the connection establishment process, making the system accessible to a broader range of devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessed node provides its own connection information to the server without requiring external assistance or complex STUN client functionality. The node serves itself by contributing its connection parameters, which the server then uses to facilitate the connection, reducing the operational burden on the endpoint devices.
3Device complexity
If direct connection between nodes behind NAT is attempted, then access cost is reduced, but connection success rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary actions by obtaining connection information from both nodes before the actual connection attempt. It collects the accessed node's connection information and the access node's connection information in advance, then uses this pre-collected information to facilitate the connection. This preliminary information gathering increases connection success rate while keeping the actual connection process simple and low-cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The server mediates the connection process by coordinating information exchange between nodes behind NAT devices. It obtains connection information from the accessed node, receives connection information from the access node, and forwards the appropriate information back to enable successful connection. This intermediary coordination significantly improves connection success rate compared to direct connection attempts.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a connection establishment method, a server, an accessed node, an access node, and a storage medium. The method includes: receiving a connection establishment request from an accessed node, establishing a connection to the accessed node, and acquiring accessed connection information of the accessed node; receiving an accessed address request from an access node and determining access connection information of the access node; sending the access connection information to the accessed node so that the accessed node opens up a connection channel between the access node and the accessed node according to the access connection information; and sending the accessed connection information of the accessed node to the access node so that the access node establishes a connection to the accessed node according to the accessed connection information in the case where the connection channel is opened up.