Patent ID: 8437346
Filing Date: 2013-05-07
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. An IP network service node comprising: a digital processor; and non-transitory, machine-readable storage media storing a series of instructions comprising programming code that is executable on the digital processor for supporting direct peer-to-peer media flows, the programming code including: first code for directing a remote communications device that resides behind an NAT device to perform a test of the NAT device so as to determine a selected characteristic of the NAT device; second code for receiving from the first communication device indicia of the selected characteristics of the corresponding NAT device and storing the received indicia of the selected characteristics of the corresponding NAT device; third code for directing a second communication device to test a second NAT device that it resides behind so as to determine selected characteristics of the second NAT device; fourth code for receiving from the second communication device indicia of the selected characteristics of the second NAT device and storing the received indicia of the selected characteristics of the second NAT device; fifth code for defining at least one IP connectivity pathway for direct IP communication between the first and second communication devices based on the stored indicia of the selected characteristics of the first and second NAT devices; and sixth code for instructing each of the first communication device and the second communication device on how to self-configure themselves to support the defined IP connectivity pathway.