Virtual IP Path Mapping for Mobile Network Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing server systems in mobile environments face challenges in maintaining service continuity and minimizing data loss and delay when a mobile terminal moves across different network environments, as they typically rely on single transmission/reception paths and IP routes, leading to increased delay and data loss.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for controlling data transmission/reception paths between a server and a mobile terminal in a heterogeneous network environment by mapping actual IP addresses to virtual IP addresses based on service priorities, allowing for dynamic path management and multi-homing to ensure seamless service continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single IP route is used for data transmission in mobile environments, then the system complexity is low, but service continuity is broken when the mobile terminal moves to a different network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IP routing function into multiple components: a default IP route for normal operation, alternative IP routes for failover, and a path mapping table that manages the relationships between them. This segmentation allows the system to maintain service continuity by switching between segments when one fails, without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes routing parameters (IP routes and path mappings) based on network conditions and service priorities. When a mobile terminal moves to a different network, the system changes the active IP route parameter from the default route to an alternative route, maintaining service continuity while adapting to changing network environments.
2Reliability
If alternative IP routes are prepared for mobile terminals moving between networks, then service continuity is maintained, but the number of IP routes and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path management where alternative IP routes are not all actively maintained simultaneously but are activated on-demand based on network conditions. The path mapping table dynamically updates route associations, allowing the system to maintain service continuity with a manageable number of active routes rather than requiring all possible routes to be perpetually active.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages alternative IP routes through self-service mechanisms: the path mapping table autonomously updates route associations when network conditions change, and the system automatically switches between default and alternative routes without manual intervention, reducing the operational burden of managing multiple IP routes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actual IP addresses are mapped to a virtual IP address, then multi-homing is supported and service continuity is improved, but the complexity of path management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual IP address as an intermediary between multiple actual IP addresses and the mobile terminal. This virtual IP serves as a stable anchor point that abstracts the complexity of managing multiple actual IPs. The path mapping table manages the many-to-many mappings between virtual and actual IPs, allowing multi-homing support while shielding upper-layer applications from the complexity of direct IP management.
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing server systems are significantly modified to support heterogeneous network environments, then service continuity and adaptability are improved, but implementation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex path management functionality from the core server system into a separate path mapping table and alternative route management mechanism. This extraction allows the server system to maintain its existing simple architecture while gaining enhanced adaptability through the added path management layer, reducing implementation cost by avoiding extensive modifications to the existing server system.
Data Source
AI summary
A data transmission/reception path between a server and a mobile terminal in a heterogeneous network environment is controlled by mapping at least one actual Internet protocol (IP) address available to the mobile terminal in the heterogeneous network environment to at least one virtual IP to generate a path mapping table, and determining a data transmission/reception path between the server and the mobile terminal with reference to the generated path mapping table. This virtualization of terminal actual addresses with respect to a server improves service continuity in an efficient, low cost manner, independent of the need to modify the OS kernel in various devices.