Patent ID: 7139841
Filing Date: 2006-11-21
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for handling data transmitted within a computer network, the method comprising: receiving data having a type that indicates that it is a NAT Probe sent from a first host to a second host, wherein the NAT Probe is being sent between a private network and a public network; creating a rule set for a header of the NAT Probe when a rule set is not already present, wherein the rule set includes a binding between a private address/port and a public address/port selected from a pool of public addresses/ports; translating the header of the NAT Probe based on the rule set, translating a payload address and/or port of the NAT Probe based on the rule set; sending the NAT Probe towards the second host after translation of the header and payload; after sending the NAT Probe, receiving data having a type that indicates that it is a NAT Probe Reply, wherein the NAT Probe Reply is being sent between a private network to a public network and includes a payload address and/or payload port that has been translated one or more times so as to be a part of an address space of the second host and is to be used in a payload of subsequent data sent from the first host to the second host; and translating the header of the NAT Probe Reply based on the rule set without translating the payload address or payload port of the NAT Probe Reply.