Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for facilitating randomized port allocation

An apparatus, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least:
• generate an encryption key;
• associate the encryption key with a network address allocated to a host device;
• allocate a plurality of random ports to the host device for use with the network address, the plurality of random ports including an initial port value and a plurality of non-contiguous ports;
• and
• send, to the host device, a port allocation message comprising the encryption key, an indication of the initial port value, and a value indicating a total number of the plurality of random ports allocated to the host device, the port allocation useable by the host device to calculate at least one other port value from among the plurality of random ports allocated to the host device.

A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions stored therein, the computer-readable program instructions comprising:

• generating an encryption key;
• associating the encryption key with a network address allocated to a host device;
• allocating a plurality of random ports to the host device for use with the network address, the plurality of random ports including an initial port value and a plurality of non-contiguous ports;
• and
• sending, to the host device, a port allocation message comprising the encryption key, an indication of the initial port value, and a value indicating a total number of the plurality of random ports allocated to the host device, the port allocation useable by the host device to calculate at least one other port value from among the plurality of random ports allocated to the host device.

A method comprising:

• generating an encryption key;
• associating the encryption key with a network address allocated to a host device;
• allocating a plurality of random ports to the host device for use with the network address, the plurality of random ports including an initial port value and a plurality of non-contiguous ports;
• and
• sending, to the host device, a port allocation message comprising the encryption key, an indication of the initial port value, and a value indicating a total number of the plurality of random ports allocated to the host device, the port allocation message useable by the host device to calculate at least one other port value from among the plurality of random ports allocated to the host device.