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Abstract

A method and protocol for Distributed Network Address Translation ('DNAT') is provided. DNAT is used to overcome the limited address 32-bit address space used for versions of the Internet Protocol ('IP'). DNAT is used with small office or home office networks or other legacy local network that have multiple network devices using a common external network address to communicate with an external network. The protocol includes a port allocation protocol to allocate globally unique ports to network devices on a local computer network. The globally unique ports are used in a combination network address with a common external network address such as an IP address, to identify multiple network devices on a local network to an external network such as the Internet, an intranet, or a public switched telephone network. The method includes requesting one or more globally unique ports from network devices on a local network, receiving the ports, and replacing local ports with the globally unique ports. The network devices on the local network use the combination network address with the common external network address and the globally unique port to uniquely identify themselves during communications with an external network. DNAT overcomes the large computation burdens encountered when network address translation is done by a router for multiple network devices on a local network using a common external network address and simplifies routers since a router in a DNAT system does not have to support multiple individual protocols. DNAT helps extend the life of versions of IP using 32-bit addressing, allows a local network to efficiently switch between external network service providers and allows a local network to purchase a smaller block of external network addresses.

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First Claim