Patent ID: 8659992
Filing Date: 2014-02-25
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A network address translation system operable with a plurality of devices to translate network addresses between inside and outside network addresses, the system comprising: a first network address translator (NAT) configured to translate a first plurality of inside addresses associated with a first plurality of messages relative to a first plurality of outside addresses, the first plurality of inside addresses addressing the first plurality of messages relative to the devices when carried over a first inside network, the first plurality of outside addresses addressing the first plurality of messages relative to the devices when carried over an outside network; a second NAT configured to translate a second plurality of inside addresses associated with a second plurality of messages relative to a second plurality of outside addresses, the second plurality of inside addresses addressing the second plurality of messages relative to the devices when carried over a second inside network, the second plurality of outside addresses addressing the second plurality of messages relative to the devices when carried over the outside network; wherein, in the event the first NAT experiences an overload condition: i) the first NAT translates the first plurality of inside addresses of overload messages relative to a second NAT address sufficient to address the overload messages to the second NAT, the overload messages being messages received by the first NAT while the overload condition is being experienced; and ii) the second NAT translates the second NAT address of the overload messages relative to the second plurality of outside addresses; wherein the first NAT translates the first plurality of outside addresses associated with each of a first plurality of responses generated in response to the first plurality of messages to the first plurality of inside address associated therewith; wherein the second NAT translates the second plurality of outside addresses associated with each of a second plurality of responses generated in response to the second plurality of messages to the second plurality of inside addresses associated therewith; wherein the second NAT translates the second plurality of outside addresses associated with each of a third plurality of responses generated in response to the overload messages to a first NAT address of the first NAT; and wherein the first NAT translates the first NAT address of the third plurality of responses to the first plurality of inside addresses associated therewith.