Method and apparatus for connecting IPV6 devices through an IPv4 network and a network address translator (NAT) using a tunnel setup protocol
First Claim
1. A method for connecting IPv6 devices through an IPv4 network with network address translation (NAT) to an IPv6 node in an IPv6 network using a tunnel setup protocol (TSP) session, comprising steps of:
- sending a message from a tunnel client in the IPv4 network to a tunnel broker server in the IPv4 network to establish a control channel with the tunnel broker server;
sending to the tunnel broker server, via the control channel, a request message to establish an IPv6-in-IPv4 tunnel through the IPv4 network, the request including tunnel configuration parameters desired by the tunnel client;
determining at the tunnel broker server whether there is NAT between the tunnel client and the tunnel broker server by examining information in the request message; and
receiving from the tunnel broker server, via the control channel, any one of;
an acceptance of the request with a specification of information respecting the tunnel configuration parameters desired by the tunnel client;
an acceptance of the request with a specification of at least one alternate parameter for the tunnel configuration desired by the tunnel client; and
, a refusal to establish the tunnel.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tunnel setup protocol enables tunnel clients to set up IPv6-in-IPv4 networks to permit IPv6 nodes to communicate across the IPv4 network using IPv6 native packets, even if the IPv4 network contains a Network Address Translation function. The tunnel setup protocol uses a control channel to negotiate tunnel configuration parameters and exchange tunnel configuration data between a tunnel client and a tunnel broker server. The tunnel setup is automatic, and migration to IPv6 is ameliorated.
239 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for connecting IPv6 devices through an IPv4 network with network address translation (NAT) to an IPv6 node in an IPv6 network using a tunnel setup protocol (TSP) session, comprising steps of:
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sending a message from a tunnel client in the IPv4 network to a tunnel broker server in the IPv4 network to establish a control channel with the tunnel broker server;
sending to the tunnel broker server, via the control channel, a request message to establish an IPv6-in-IPv4 tunnel through the IPv4 network, the request including tunnel configuration parameters desired by the tunnel client;
determining at the tunnel broker server whether there is NAT between the tunnel client and the tunnel broker server by examining information in the request message; and
receiving from the tunnel broker server, via the control channel, any one of;
an acceptance of the request with a specification of information respecting the tunnel configuration parameters desired by the tunnel client;
an acceptance of the request with a specification of at least one alternate parameter for the tunnel configuration desired by the tunnel client; and
, a refusal to establish the tunnel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. Apparatus for connecting IPv6 devices through an IPv4 network with network address translation (NAT) to an IPv6 node in an IPv6 network using a tunnel setup protocol (TSP) session, comprising:
a tunnel broker server adapted to function as a tunnel broker, the tunnel broker server being programmed to;
respond to a message establishing a control channel with a tunnel client;
authenticate a tunnel client wishing to establish an IPv6-in-IPv4 tunnel through an IPv4 network to which the tunnel broker server is connected;
accept desired parameters for a configuration of the IPv6-in-IPv4 tunnel from the tunnel client;
determine if a NAT occurs between the tunnel client and the tunnel broker and inform the tunnel client of the NAT; and
configure a tunnel endpoint after receiving acknowledgement that the desired parameters for the configuration of the tunnel client have been accepted and the TSP session has been closed. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A system for connecting IPv6 devices through an IPv4 network with network address translation (NAT) to an IPv6 node in an IPv6 network using a tunnel setup protocol (TSP), comprising:
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a tunnel broker server and a tunnel client that function as respective nodes in the IPv4 network, the tunnel broker server being adapted to respond to a message sent from the tunnel client to establish a control channel between the tunnel client and the tunnel broker server, use the control channel to authenticate the tunnel client attempting to establish an IPv6-in-IPv4 tunnel through the IPv4 network, accept parameters for a configuration of the IPv6-in-IPv4 tunnel sent by the tunnel client via the control channel; and
the tunnel broker server and the tunnel client being respectively adapted to configure a tunnel endpoint for the IPv6-in-IPv4 tunnel, and set up the tunnel through the NAT using User Datagram Protocol (UDP) or Transport Control Protocol (TCP) over IPv4 after the tunnel parameters are negotiated and the TSP session is closed. - View Dependent Claims (26, 28, 29)
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27. The system as claimed in claim 31 wherein the tunnel client is a router having an IPv4 stack and an IPv6 stack, and at least one link to each of the IPv4 and IPv6 networks.
Specification