US6058431A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for network address translation as an external service in the access server of a service provider
Assignee: Lucent Technologies Remote Access Business Unit
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Filing: 1998-04-23
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Granted: 2000-05-02
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Expires: 2018-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A system and method provides network address translation as an external service for private networks. Given the fact that local office networks (i.e., stub networks) are typically assigned only one globally unique IP address (or a small set of addresses), the invention presents a novel service provider access server (e.g., router) which performs basic network address translation (NAT) and network address port translation (NAPT) for such networks. The system allows NAT and NAPT features to be removed from stub network routers, thereby significantly reducing the cost of Internet infrastructure to individual companies and organizations. NAT features on service provider's access servers provide the ability for multiple hosts in disparate private (unregistered) networks to utilize the services of a service provider, using a single global address for each private network and allow private networks to avoid renumbering with access to each new service provider.
Inventors
- 👤 Pyda Srisuresh
- 👤 Steven M. Willens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:17
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L61/00; H04L61/09; H04L61/25; H04L61/2503; H04L61/2517; H04L61/2521; H04L61/2528
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A system for network address translation within a router of an Internet service provider, comprising: means for receiving a datagram from the Internet whose destination is specified by a globally unique Internet Protocol (IP) address; means for mapping said globally unique IP address to a locally significant IP address; and means for routing said datagram to a stub router located in a stub network, wherein said stub network includes the destination specified by said locally significant IP address.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A system for network address translation within a router of an Internet service provider, comprising: means for receiving a datagram from the Internet whose destination is specified by a globally unique Internet Protocol (IP) address; means for mapping said globally unique IP address to a locally significant IP address; and means for routing said datagram to a stub router located in a stub network, wherein said stub network includes the destination specified by said locally significant IP address.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: means for receiving a second datagram from said stub router located in said stub network whose source is said locally significant IP address; means for mapping said locally significant IP address to said globally unique IP address; and means for routing said second datagram to the Internet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the router of the Internet service provider and said stub router each run a different routing protocol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said stub network is assigned a set of globally unique IP addresses and said first and second means for mapping comprises means for performing basic network address translation (NAT).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said stub network is assigned one globally unique IP address and said first and second means for mapping comprises means for performing network address port translation (NAPT).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for causing an application program to execute on a computer that performs network address translation within an Internet service provider router, said computer readable program code means comprising: a first computer readable program code means for causing the computer to receive a datagram from the Internet whose destination is specified by a globally unique Internet Protocol (IP) address; a second computer readable program code means for causing the computer to map said globally unique IP address to a locally significant IP address; and a third computer readable program code means for causing the computer to route said datagram to a stub router located in a stub network, wherein said stub network includes the destination specified by said locally significant IP address.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
140 words
A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for causing an application program to execute on a computer that performs network address translation within an Internet service provider router, said computer readable program code means comprising: a first computer readable program code means for causing the computer to receive a datagram from the Internet whose destination is specified by a globally unique Internet Protocol (IP) address; a second computer readable program code means for causing the computer to map said globally unique IP address to a locally significant IP address; and a third computer readable program code means for causing the computer to route said datagram to a stub router located in a stub network, wherein said stub network includes the destination specified by said locally significant IP address.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
The computer program product of claim 6, further comprising: a fourth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to receive a second datagram from said stub router located in said stub network whose source is said locally significant IP address; a fifth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to map said locally significant IP address to said globally unique IP address; and a sixth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to route said second datagram to the Internet.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for network address translation within a router of an Internet service provider, comprising the steps of: (1) receiving a datagram from the Internet whose destination is specified by a globally unique Internet Protocol (IP) address; (2) mapping said globally unique IP address to a locally significant IP address; and (3) routing said datagram to a stub router located in a stub network, wherein said stub network includes the destination specified by said locally significant IP address.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for network address translation within a router of an Internet service provider, comprising the steps of: (1) receiving a datagram from the Internet whose destination is specified by a globally unique Internet Protocol (IP) address; (2) mapping said globally unique IP address to a locally significant IP address; and (3) routing said datagram to a stub router located in a stub network, wherein said stub network includes the destination specified by said locally significant IP address.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of: (4) receiving a second datagram from said stub router located in said stub network whose source is said locally significant IP address; (5) mapping said locally significant IP address to said globally unique IP address; and (6) routing said second datagram to the Internet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the router of the Internet service provider and said stub router each run a different routing protocol.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
76 words
A system for performing network address translation within the Internet, comprising: a service provider access server; and an office network; wherein said service provider access server performs network address translation (NAT) and network address port translation (NAPT) as an external service for said office network and wherein said office network comprises: a plurality of computer workstations connected via a local network; and a stub router connected to said plurality of computer workstations via said local network.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
76 words
A system for performing network address translation within the Internet, comprising: a service provider access server; and an office network; wherein said service provider access server performs network address translation (NAT) and network address port translation (NAPT) as an external service for said office network and wherein said office network comprises: a plurality of computer workstations connected via a local network; and a stub router connected to said plurality of computer workstations via said local network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 11, wherein said service provider access server and said office network each run a different routing protocol.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-02 | 2003-11-01 | 2004-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-02 | 2007-11-01 | 2008-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-02 | 2011-11-01 | 2012-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |