Communications across a network address translator

• US 8,918,858 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2013
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SSH Communications Security Oyj
• Original Assignee: SSH Communications Security Oyj
• Inventors: Kivinen, Tero, Ylonen, Tatu
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, David
• Application Number:
  US14/012,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20140033296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 726/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/663 Transport layer addresses, e.g. aspects of transmission control protocol [TCP] or user datagram protocol [UDP] ports
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/026 Details of "hello" or keep-alive messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/25 of the same type
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2514 between local and global IP addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2553 Binding renewal aspects, e.g. using keep-alive messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/256 NAT traversal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2564 for a higher-layer protocol, e.g. for session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2575 using address mapping retrieval, e.g. simple traversal of user datagram protocol through session traversal utilities for NAT [STUN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2578 without involvement of the NAT server
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/029 Firewall traversal, e.g. tunnelling or, creating pinholes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/164 at the network layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/161 Implementation details of TCP/IP or UDP/IP stack architecture; Specification of modified or new header fields
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/165 : Combined use of TCP and UDP protocols; selection criteria therefor

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer-readable media are presented that provide a configuration for communications through network address translation. The configuration includes transmitting, by a first computer device, a packet that includes a predetermined value indicating that the first computer device supports an extension of a communications protocol, wherein the communications protocol is used for communications across a network translator device and the extension is capable of traversing network address translation.

Claims

1. A method comprising transmitting, by a first computer device, a packet that includes a predetermined value indicating that the first computer device supports an extension of a communications protocol, wherein the communications protocol is used for communications across a network translator device and the extension is capable of traversing network address translation.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communications protocol is a secure communications protocol.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising

receiving from a second computer device a packet that includes a predetermined value indicating that the second computer device supports the extension of the communications protocol, and

in response to said receiving, setting up a communications connection between the first computer device and the second computer device.

4. An apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause transmission of a packet that includes a predetermined value indicating that the apparatus supports an extension of a communications protocol, wherein the communications protocol is used for communications across a network translator device and the extension is capable of traversing network address translation.

5. The apparatus according to in claim 4, wherein the communications protocol is a secure communications protocol.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, further configured to

receive from a computer device a packet that includes a predetermined value indicating that the computer device supports the extension of the communications protocol, and

in response to said received packet, set up a communications connection with the computer device.

7. A non-transitory computer readable media, comprising program code for causing a processor to perform instructions for transmitting, by a first device, a packet that includes a predetermined value indicating that the first device supports an extension of a communications protocol, wherein the communications protocol is used for communications across a network translator device and the extension is capable of traversing network address translation.

8. The non-transitory computer readable media according to claim 7, wherein the communications protocol is a secure communications protocol.

9. The non-transitory computer readable media according to claim 7, further causing performing of instructions for

receiving from a second device a packet that includes a predetermined value indicating that the second device supports the extension of the communications protocol, and

in response to said receiving, setting up a communications connection between the first device and the second device.