Multi-level and dynamic timers for carrier grade NAT
AssigneeVerizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
InventorJames Mathison
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods described herein use a variable 2MSL timer (also referred to herein as a “port reuse timer”) for a core network/gateway. A network device in a core network detects closing of a session that uses a port designated for Network Address Translation (NAT), monitors an overall NAT port utilization level, and manages release timing for the port based on the overall port utilization level.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- detecting, by a network device in a core network, closing of a session that uses a port designated for Network Address Translation (NAT);
- monitoring, by the network device, an overall NAT port utilization level;
- and
- managing, by the network device, release timing for the port based on one or more thresholds for the overall NAT port utilization level, wherein the managing comprises:
- starting, in response to the detecting, a binding timer and an aging timer,
- maintaining the port in an assigned state until the binding timer expires, and
- designating the port with an aging state after the binding timer expires and before the aging timer expires.
A network device comprising:
- a processor configured to:
- detect, in a core network, closing of a session that uses a port designated for Network Address Translation (NAT);
- monitor an overall NAT port utilization level;
- and
- manage release timing for the port based on one or more thresholds for the overall NAT port utilization level, wherein the managing comprises:
- starting, in response to the detecting, a binding timer and an aging timer,
- maintaining the port in an assigned state until the binding timer expires, and
- designating the port with an aging state after the binding timer expires and before the aging timer expires.
A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium storing instructions executable by a processor of a network device, which when executed cause the network device to:
- detect, in a core network, closing of a session that uses a port designated for Network Address Translation (NAT);
- monitor an overall NAT port utilization level;
- and
- manage release timing for the port based on one or more thresholds for the overall NAT port utilization level, wherein the instructions to manage the release timing further cause the network device to:
- start, in response to the detecting, a binding timer and an aging timer;
- maintain the port in an assigned state until the binding timer expires;
- and
- designate the port with an aging state after the binding timer expires and before the aging timer expires.
A method comprising:
- detecting, by a network device in a core network, closing of a session that uses a port designated for Network Address Translation (NAT);
- monitoring, by the network device, an overall NAT port utilization level;
- and
- managing, by the network device, release timing for the port based on one or more thresholds for the overall NAT port utilization level, wherein managing the release timing further comprises:
- applying variable port reuse timers to permit aggressive NAT port reuse when the overall NAT port utilization levels exceed a threshold, and
- applying the variable port reuse timers to permit conservative NAT port reuse when the overall NAT port utilization levels do not exceed the threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.