Media path optimization for multimedia over internet protocol
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of determining whether a multimedia network endpoint is behind a firewall or network address translation (FW/NAT) device, comprising:
- receiving, at a network address and/or port value of a signaling controller, a signaling packet from a first endpoint located in a voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) network, wherein the signaling packet contains a Session Description Protocol (SDP) message and is directed towards a second endpoint, and wherein the network address and/or port value of the signaling controller are designated for use by endpoints that are behind any FW/NAT device;
determining, based on the signaling packet, first information specifying whether the first endpoint is logically located behind the FW/NAT device;
determining, based on a payload of the signaling packet and the first information, second information specifying the type of the FW/NAT device; and
re-configuring, based on the first information and the second information, any one of the first endpoint, the second endpoint, one or more signaling controllers and media controllers, and one or more firewall or network address translation (FW/NAT) devices to permit communicating media packets between the first endpoint and the second endpoint using a direct route, wherein the direct route bypasses the one or more signaling and media controllers, while continuing to communicate signaling packets to the one or more signaling controllers,wherein the re-configuration comprises determining based on automatic detection or manual provisioning that the first and second endpoints are in a same address space and can communicate directly, and modifying the SDP message to prevent hair-pinning.
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Abstract
Methods for optimizing the media path between multimedia endpoints in a network are described. One embodiment allows avoiding having to relay the media traffic through a central device, such as a border controller'"'"'s media controller element, and lets endpoints communicate directly under various conditions.
42 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of determining whether a multimedia network endpoint is behind a firewall or network address translation (FW/NAT) device, comprising:
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receiving, at a network address and/or port value of a signaling controller, a signaling packet from a first endpoint located in a voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) network, wherein the signaling packet contains a Session Description Protocol (SDP) message and is directed towards a second endpoint, and wherein the network address and/or port value of the signaling controller are designated for use by endpoints that are behind any FW/NAT device; determining, based on the signaling packet, first information specifying whether the first endpoint is logically located behind the FW/NAT device; determining, based on a payload of the signaling packet and the first information, second information specifying the type of the FW/NAT device; and re-configuring, based on the first information and the second information, any one of the first endpoint, the second endpoint, one or more signaling controllers and media controllers, and one or more firewall or network address translation (FW/NAT) devices to permit communicating media packets between the first endpoint and the second endpoint using a direct route, wherein the direct route bypasses the one or more signaling and media controllers, while continuing to communicate signaling packets to the one or more signaling controllers, wherein the re-configuration comprises determining based on automatic detection or manual provisioning that the first and second endpoints are in a same address space and can communicate directly, and modifying the SDP message to prevent hair-pinning. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of determining whether a multimedia network endpoint is behind a firewall or network address translation (FW/NAT) device, comprising:
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receiving, at a network address and/or port value of a signaling controller, a signaling packet from a first endpoint located in a voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) network, wherein the signaling packet contains a Session Description Protocol (SDP) message and is directed towards a second endpoint, and wherein the network address and/or port value of the signaling controller are designated for use by endpoints that are behind a FW/NAT device; determining, based on the network address and/or port value of the signaling controller at which the signaling packet was received, first information specifying that the first endpoint is logically located behind the FW/NAT device; determining, based on a payload of the signaling packet and the first information, second information specifying the type of the FW/NAT device; and re-configuring, based on the first information and the second information, any one of the first endpoint, second endpoint, one or more signaling controllers and media controllers, and one or more firewall or network address translation (FW/NAT) devices to permit communicating media packets between the first endpoint and the second endpoint using a direct route, wherein the direct route bypasses the one or more signaling and media controllers, while continuing to communicate signaling packets to the one or more signaling controllers, wherein the re-configuration comprises determining that the second endpoint is a global Comedia endpoint, determining that the SDP message is modified, modifying the SDP message to indicate “
active,” and
notifying a signaling controller and media controller of the first endpoint to free ports.
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16. A method of determining whether a multimedia network endpoint is behind a firewall or network address translation (FW/NAT) device, comprising:
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receiving, at a network address and/or port value of a signaling controller, a signaling packet from a first endpoint located in a voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) network, wherein the signaling packet contains a Session Description Protocol (SDP) message and is directed towards a second endpoint, and wherein the network address and/or port value of the signaling controller are designated for use by endpoints that are behind a FW/NAT device; determining, based on the signaling packet, first information specifying whether the first endpoint is logically located behind the FW/NAT device; determining, based on a payload of the signaling packet and the first information, second information specifying the type of the FW/NAT device; and re-configuring, based on the first information and the second information, any one of the first endpoint, second endpoint, one or more signaling controllers and media controllers, and one or more firewall or network address translation (FW/NAT) devices to permit communicating media packets between the first endpoint and the second endpoint using a direct route, wherein the direct route bypasses the one or more signaling and media controllers, while continuing to communicate signaling packets to the one or more signaling controllers, wherein the re-configuration comprises determining that the second endpoint is not a global Comedia endpoint, determining that the first endpoint is a global Comedia endpoint, and modifying the return SDP message going later towards the first endpoint to indicate “
active.”
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17. A method of determining whether a multimedia network endpoint is behind a firewall or network address translation (FW/NAT) device, comprising:
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receiving, at a network address and/or port value of a signaling controller, a signaling packet from a first endpoint located in a voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) network, wherein the signaling packet contains a Session Description Protocol (SDP) message and is directed towards a second endpoint, and wherein the network address and/or port value of the signaling controller are designated for use by endpoints that are behind a FW/NAT device; determining, based on the signaling packet, first information specifying whether the first endpoint is logically located behind the FW/NAT device; determining, based on a payload of the signaling packet and the first information, second information specifying the type of the FW/NAT device; and re-configuring, based on the first information and the second information, any one of the first endpoint, second endpoint, one or more signaling controllers and media controllers, and one or more firewall or network address translation (FW/NAT) devices to permit communicating media packets between the first endpoint and the second endpoint using a direct route, wherein the direct route bypasses the one or more signaling and media controllers, while continuing to communicate signaling packets to the one or more signaling controllers, wherein the re-configuring comprises; determining that neither the first endpoint nor the second endpoint are global Comedia endpoints; determining that at least one other endpoint is not global and that both the first endpoint and the second endpoint are either global endpoints or are located logically behind full-cone or restricted-cone FW/NAT devices; determining that the SDP message has already been modified by a first Signaling Controller; and changing a return SDP message so it indicates the type of the FW/NAT device of the second endpoint.
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Specification