User Plane Path Setup for Firewall-Limited Cross-Domain Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
User equipment (UE) that moves out of WLAN coverage cannot access terminal devices in the local area network due to firewall restrictions, limiting communication with home network devices.
Innovation Solution
A cross-domain communication method involving a first control plane network element triggering a first user plane network element to establish a path with a second user plane network element, allowing packet transmission between UE in a local area network and a mobile communication network without the need for an application server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If UE moves out of WLAN coverage to access mobile network, then network accessibility is improved, but communication with local area network devices is blocked by firewall restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a firewall traversal server as an intermediary component that mediates communication between UE and LAN devices. When UE is outside WLAN coverage, the server acts as a relay: UE sends requests to the server, which then forwards them to the appropriate LAN device, and vice versa for responses. This intermediary approach allows communication to bypass the firewall restriction that would otherwise block direct connections from external networks to LAN devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If application server is deployed to enable cross-domain communication, then communication capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing firewall traversal server perform multiple functions: it continues to handle its original firewall traversal tasks while also enabling cross-domain communication between UE and LAN devices. By making this existing server universal and multi-functional, the system avoids the need to deploy a separate dedicated application server, thereby reducing overall system complexity while still achieving the desired cross-domain communication capability.
Data Source
AI summary
In a cross-domain communication method, a first control plane network element triggers, based on an association relationship between a first terminal device and a second terminal device, a first user plane network element to establish a path with a second user plane network element. The path is used to transmit a packet from the first terminal device to the second user plane network element, or is used to transmit a packet from the second terminal device to the first user plane network element. The first user plane network serves the first terminal device and the second user plane network element serves the second terminal device.