Source Port Allocation for Network Session Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limitation of 64K concurrent connections in TCP/IP networks due to the ephemeral source port allocation scheme, which reduces usable connections to about 48K, leads to exhaustion of available source network ports as network utilization increases, especially when multiple IP addresses are not available for use.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where source network ports are uniquely allocated for each pair of destination IP address and destination network port, using data structures to track availability, allowing reutilization of source ports across different destination IP addresses and ports, thereby expanding the source port number space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If source network ports are allocated from a shared pool of 64K ports, then the system can maintain simplicity in port management, but the number of available concurrent connections is limited to approximately 48K usable ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shared port pool into multiple independent per-destination port pools, where each destination IP address and destination port combination has its own dedicated pool of source ports. This segmentation allows each destination to have exclusive access to its port pool, eliminating competition for ports and enabling the system to support many more concurrent connections than the traditional 64K limit while maintaining manageable complexity through structured organization.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple IP addresses are utilized to increase available source network ports, then the number of concurrent connections can be increased, but the complexity of managing multiple IP addresses increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding another IP address dimension to increase port availability, the patent introduces a new dimension of port allocation by creating per-destination port pools. This dimensional change allows the system to differentiate ports based on destination characteristics rather than source IP address, effectively multiplying the available port space without requiring additional IP addresses and avoiding the management complexity associated with multiple IPs.
3Ease of operation
If a shared pool of source network ports is used for all destinations, then port allocation is simple, but port exhaustion occurs when network connection session demand is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-allocating dedicated port pools for each destination IP address and destination port combination before connections are established. This preliminary segmentation ensures that when high demand occurs, each destination has its own reserved pool of ports available for immediate allocation, preventing port exhaustion and maintaining reliable connection establishment under high network utilization without complicating the allocation process.
Data Source
AI summary
Network session identification information is received. The network session identification information is associated with a destination IP address and a destination network port. An available source network port for a new session to be established for a source IP address is determined based on the destination IP address and the destination network port.