Transport Layer Session Re-anchoring Across IP Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current TCP/IP protocol family does not provide end-to-end message transfer capabilities independent of the underlying network, leading to session disruptions when IP addresses change, and existing solutions either tear down and reestablish sessions or hide delays, lacking true session mobility.

Innovation Solution

TCPv2 introduces a smaller, extensible packet structure with session identifier fields, allowing transport layer sessions to persist across IP address changes without tearing down or tunneling connections, enabling seamless session re-anchoring between different networks and devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If TCP/IP sessions are tied to IP addresses and network layer protocols, then message transfer is enabled between pairs of IP addresses, but sessions cannot be maintained when the underlying network changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesession persistenceVSAvoidnetwork independence

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the session identification mechanism from the network layer by introducing transport layer session identifiers that are independent of IP addresses. This allows the transport layer to maintain sessions using its own addressing scheme (port tuples) rather than relying on network layer IP addresses, thereby enabling session persistence across network changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of session identification at the transport layer that operates independently from the network layer. By adding session identifiers and port tuple-based addressing at the transport layer, the system creates an additional layer of abstraction that enables sessions to persist regardless of changes in the underlying network layer IP addresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If existing solutions tear down and reestablish sessions when IP addresses change, then sessions can be restored, but session continuity is disrupted causing delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesession restorationVSAvoidsession interruption delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes session identifiers and transport layer addressing in advance before network changes occur. By pre-configuring session-independent identification mechanisms, the system is prepared to maintain sessions continuously even when IP addresses change, eliminating the need to tear down and reestablish sessions and thus avoiding interruption delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous session maintenance by decoupling session identification from network layer IP addresses. The transport layer uses its own session identifiers and port tuples to maintain uninterrupted communication, allowing useful action (data transfer) to continue seamlessly without the breaks and delays associated with session teardown and reestablishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If application layer solutions provide session mobility, then sessions can move between networks, but the appearance of mobility is created without true session persistence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesession mobilityVSAvoidtrue session persistence

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces transport layer session identifiers as an intermediary mechanism between the application layer and network layer. This intermediary layer provides true session persistence by maintaining sessions using transport layer addressing independent of network layer changes, rather than creating merely the appearance of mobility through application layer workarounds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10462229B2Method and apparatus for initiating and maintaining sessions between endpoints

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Methods for re-anchoring a transport layer session in a communication network are disclosed. For example, a method receives a request to re-anchor a transport layer session and sends a packet notifying of a transport layer session re-anchor to a peer. The packet includes a header with a session identifier field, and a record type field that indicates that a payload of the packet comprises transport layer session re-anchor information. The method receives a confirmation of the transport layer session re-anchor notification. Another method receives a packet comprising a notification of a transport layer session re-anchor from a peer. The method updates a session management table and transmits packets to the peer using an updated address received in the notification of the transport layer session re-anchor.