DATA SHARING AMONG MOBILE DEVICES

One example may include transmitting a request from a first device to a second device to retrieve data from a remote server, and the first device and the second device are operating on a common network, responsive to receiving the request, transmitting a connection request, via the second device, to a virtual private network (VPN) server over a connection between the second device and the VPN server, receiving from the VPN server, via the second device, a portion of the data retrieved from the remote server over the connection between the second device and the VPN server, and transmitting, via the second device, the portion of the data over the common network to the first device, and wherein the first device combines the portion of the data with another portion of the data received from the VPN server.

BACKGROUND

Data access is limited to the networks providing the data, such as a cellular data connection and/or a Wi-Fi data connection. As mobile devices or other types of computing devices move away from locations where data access is more prevalent, the options for efficient, reliable and/or high-speed data access may begin to diminish. In a remote communication environment, devices may have fewer data access options. Cellular tends to offer the most reliable data access at a reasonable range of distance away from a cellular access point. As devices congregate in a particular area and are limited to fewer network access options, the borrowing or sharing of data access to the Internet from one device to the next device may be optimal to increase data rates and to limit data degradation.

SUMMARY

One example embodiment may provide a method that includes one or more of receiving, via a mobile device, a connection request message to establish a communication session with another mobile device, forwarding, via the mobile device, a request to a virtual private network (VPN) server to receive data on behalf of the another mobile device, receiving, via the mobile device, a portion of data used by an application of the another mobile device, and creating a channel between the mobile device and the another mobile device to forward the received the portion of data to the another mobile device.

Another example embodiment may include a method that includes transmitting a request from a first device to a second device to retrieve data from a remote server, the first device and the second device are operating on a common network, responsive to receiving the request, transmitting a connection request, via the second device, to a virtual private network (VPN) server over a connection between the second device and the VPN server, receiving from the VPN server, via the second device, a portion of the data retrieved from the remote server over the connection between the second device and the VPN server, and transmitting, via the second device, the portion of the data over the common network to the first device, and the first device combines the portion of the data with another portion of the data received from the VPN server.

Another example embodiment may include a device that includes a receiver configured to receive a request from another device to retrieve data from a remote server, and the another device and the device are operating on a common network, responsive to receiving the request, a transmitter is configured to transmit a connection request to a virtual private network (VPN) server over a connection between the second device and the VPN server, and the receiver is configured to receive from the VPN server a portion of the data retrieved from the remote server over the connection between the device and the VPN server, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the portion of the data over the common network to the another device, and wherein the another device combines the portion of the data with another portion of the data received from the VPN server.

Another example embodiment may include a non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions that when executed causes a process to perform transmitting a request from a first device to a second device to retrieve data from a remote server, and the first device and the second device are operating on a common network, responsive to receiving the request, transmitting a connection request, via the second device, to a virtual private network (VPN) server over a connection between the second device and the VPN server, receiving from the VPN server, via the second device, a portion of the data retrieved from the remote server over the connection between the second device and the VPN server, and transmitting, via the second device, the portion of the data over the common network to the first device, and the first device combines the portion of the data with another portion of the data received from the VPN server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In addition, while the term “message” has been used in the description of embodiments of the present application, the application may be applied to many types of network data, such as, packet, frame, datagram, etc. For purposes of this application, the term “message” also includes packet, frame, datagram, and any equivalents thereof. Furthermore, while certain types of messages and signaling are depicted in exemplary embodiments of the application, the application is not limited to a certain type of message, and the application is not limited to a certain type of signaling.

Example embodiments provide data management services for client devices participating in a shared data network configuration. Data may be sent and received to and from a remote network and shared between the devices to provide a larger data rate and an optimized data connection.

Example embodiments may be referred to with reference to a communication ‘session’. The term ‘session’ may be a communication data link between a ‘client’ (computing device, smartphone, computer, etc.) and ‘server’ (content server, virtual private network server, destination server, etc.) or any two or more network-based entities in communication across a data communication network. A session may be based on a single communication link or channel or multiple links or channels. Examples of multiple channels being used in a session may be based on multiple network interface devices (i.e., network interface cards (NICs)) being used in a single session, multiple TCP/UDP sockets being created in a single session among other device resources. Multiple transport connections which are established via TCP and/or UDP may also be considered a session. Additionally, encryption that is used for the session may be independently established to include a unique key for each transport connection and/or channel established for the session. The session encryption may instead be a single key encryption used to encrypt all the communication exchanges during the session. In general, most transport connections are encrypted independently. All of the described examples of a session may be adapted to include one or more alternatives or combinations thereof. Each session may be subjected to multiple different communication mediums providing a variety of one or more channels, transports, radio links, physical links, network interface cards and wireless and/or wired connections.

Network connection optimization for an application server provides data network access through communication channels to one or more client devices. Data communication protocols may include one or more of a transmission control protocol (TCP) and/or a user datagram protocol (UDP). Also, the TCP/IP protocol suite enables the determination of how a specific device should be connected to the Internet and how data can be exchanged by enabling a virtual network when multiple network devices are connected. TCP/IP stands for transmission control protocol/Internet protocol and it is specifically designed as a model to offer reliable data byte streams over various interconnected data networks.

UDP is a datagram/packet oriented protocol used for broadcast and multicast types of network transmissions. The UDP protocol may work similar to TCP, but with some of the error-checking criteria removed which reduces the amount of back-and-forth communication and deliverability requirements.

TCP is a connection-oriented protocol and UDP is a connectionless protocol. The speeds associated with TCP are generally slower than UDP, while the speed of UDP is generally faster within the network with regard to sending data across a network. TCP uses a ‘handshake’ protocol such as ‘SYN’, ‘SYN-ACK’, ‘ACK’, etc., while UDP uses no handshake protocols. TCP performs error checking and error recovery, and UDP performs error checking, but discards erroneous packets. TCP employs acknowledgment segments, but UDP does not have any acknowledgment segment.

A TCP connection is established with a three-way handshake, which is a process of initiating and acknowledging a connection. Once the connection is established, data transfer begins and when the transmission process is finished the connection is terminated by the closing of an established virtual circuit. UDP uses a simple transmission approach without implied hand-shaking requirements for ordering, reliability, or data integrity. UDP also disregards error checking and correction efforts to avoid the overhead of such processing efforts at the network interface level, and is also compatible with packet broadcasts and multicasting.

TCP reads data as streams of bytes, and the message is transmitted to segment boundaries. UDP messages contain packets that were sent one by one. It also checks for integrity at the arrival time. TCP messages move across the Internet from one computer to another. It is not connection-based, so one program can send lots of packets to another. TCP rearranges data packets in a specific order. UDP protocol has no fixed order because all the packets are independent of each other. The speed for TCP is slower and UDP is faster since error recovery is omitted from UDP. The header sizes are 20 bytes and 8 bytes for TCP and UDP, respectively.

In general, TCP requires three packets to set up a socket connection before any user data can be sent. UDP does not require three packets for socket setup. TCP performs error checking and also error recovery and UDP performs error checking, but discards erroneous packets. TCP is reliable as it guarantees delivery of data to the destination router. The delivery of data to the destination is not guaranteed by UDP. UDP is ideal to use with multimedia like voice over IP (VoIP) since minimizing delays is critical. TCP sockets should be used when both the client and the server independently send packets and an occasional delay is acceptable. UDP should be used if both the client and the server separately send packets, and an occasional delay is not acceptable.

FIG.1illustrates an example data session network configuration according to example embodiments. Referring toFIG.1, the configuration100may include a virtual private network (VPN)110which includes one or more VPN servers112and data storage, which in this case is used for storing client profile data114associated with one or more new or old client communication sessions. The term ‘VPN’ may represent one or more servers designated to perform the VPN functionality. The communication sessions may include multiple network channels, generally, UDP and TCP are used for such sessions, however, other protocols used across the Internet102may also be used, such as HTTPS. The channels may be bonded together to create a single virtual channel for communication as shown from the bonded connections module122for the VPN server112and the bonded connections module124of the client device140. In general, the VPN112may include UDP module(s)120and a TCP module(s)118as part of a connection module116to manage the connection process and a bonded connections module122to manage the various channels and the bonding of information among the channels.

The client side may include one or more client devices140such as a smartphone142, cell phone, tablet, laptop144, etc. Any one of those individual devices may be the ‘client device’140at any particular time for a particular session. The client side may have an installed agent software application that communicates with the cloud servers of the VPN network110. The communications are established and maintained across the Internet102. The client side may also have its own bonded connections module124which manages one or more TCP/UDP connections associated with TCP/UDP connection modules128/130, each of which may have multiple modules to accommodate multiple session, as part of the connection module(s)126of the client side. The module126may be multiple modules which are used for multiple respective sessions with various end user devices140.

In general, a transport connection is a connection between the VPN client and the VPN server over a particular network and/or Internet connection using a particular protocol, such as TCP, UDP, HTTPS, or another protocol. The established connection is used to send encapsulated and/or encrypted application packets between the client and the server. In one example embodiment, multiple transports connections are created for each session over the available networks and protocols. Conventionally, a VPN will create one transport connection over one network with one protocol per session. For example, given two networks to utilize, the data connection optimization application may create three transport connections (e.g., TCP, UDP, and HTTPS) over each network, for a total of six transport connections. Other combinations of connection types, numbers of connections, etc., may also be utilized.

A VPN may be used by any client device participating in a collaboration session (i.e., conference) with other client devices. One device among a plurality of devices may be using a VPN while others are not using any VPN. All of the devices may send data and receive data to and from an application server in a cloud network, however, one or more client devices may use a VPN server as an intermediate/third party device to assist with the data management of that particular client device. One strategy employed by a VPN may include channel management over a single session. For example, multiple channels may exist for a single client device and can be combined into a bonded channel (unique data is sent on more than one channel), a mirrored channel (the same data is sent on more than one channel) or a combination of both. The channel management activities may permit packets to be sent and received faster and/or with fewer errors depending on the strategy employed by the VPN server. The VPN server(s) may have an optimal Internet connection to the application servers in the cloud network, and may use certain fundamental routing strategies to optimize data traffic quality, the VPN could send video data first from certain client devices to the cloud servers as opposed to browser request data, e-mail data, and other types of Internet data. All of these data management strategies and others can be managed by a VPN specific application that is operating on the client devices while the conference or other collaboration application is being utilized. The VPN application may be a background type of application that is not detectable by the user or other applications using Internet data services. The VPN server may also attempt to host its own conference assuming the VPN server offers an application that is managed locally by the VPN server so the client devices which are part of that VPN network can have the VPN server perform additional conference application functions.

FIG.2Aillustrates a network example of two mobile devices providing data support in a remote communication environment according to example embodiments. Referring toFIG.2A, the network200includes a cellular access point212, such as a base station with related components, including but not limited to a (3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, etc.) ‘X’G data service, a home location register (HLR), and other cellular network service providing entities which provide coverage within a particular area242. Other networks, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication network, a Wi-Fi network, a satellite network, etc., may also be used to provide data service to the client devices (i.e., mobile) devices142and144. Internet data may be accessible via the Internet which is linked to the mobile network212and to a remote server218where the mobile devices142/144may be seeking access in order to download data, such as streaming content. In this example and in other examples, a VPN server216may be used to manage the data access as an intermediary that receives the data on behalf of the client devices142and144which in this case are both subscribed to the VPN service. One or more devices may be a subscriber to the VPN service managed by the VPN server216. Some devices may not be subscribed to the VPN server216but may still be able to assist with data management by offering bandwidth and downloading data on behalf of other client devices.

FIG.2Billustrates a network example of two mobile devices where one is providing data support to the other in a remote communication environment according to example embodiments. Referring toFIG.2B, the network example250demonstrates how the two mobile devices may initiate a data sharing operation which may include creating a session directly between the devices142and144for communication through the cellular network212and the VPN server216, which may be monitoring the devices142/144, and/or communicating directly between the devices by a wireless communication signal (e.g., NFC, Bluetooth, WLAN, 802.11xx, etc.). In operation, the devices may be in a remote location, such as an outdoor park or an industrial work zone and may still be able to communicate with a cellular network212. The devices may forward a communication via the cellular/VPN server216to one another or may communicate directly. The communication may attempt to establish a communication channel or session that uses a communication protocol that is recognized by both devices. A determination may be made that one device144is attempting to stream data, for example, such as a video with a large amount of data. Device142may be acting as a host or leader143and may monitor the data activities of device144. A monitoring action may also be performed by VPN server216. Once the determination is made that the device144will need more data to maintain a data downloading integrity level, which may be measured based on one or more thresholds of jitter, latency, packet loss, data rate, etc., the host device143may share data with data receiving device147.

FIG.2Cillustrates a network example of multiple mobile devices providing data support to one another in a remote communication environment according to example embodiments. Referring toFIG.2C, in this example270there are four mobile devices in a similar environment. The four devices142-148may form a communication network similar to the example inFIGS.2A and2B. In this example, the devices may include the host or leader143which is the device which mediates and controls the data sharing and support operations of all devices. Specifically, the data receiving device147may be receiving streaming data and may require assistance with maintaining a particular data rate.

FIG.2Dillustrates a network example of multiple mobile devices such that two devices are providing data support to another device in a remote communication environment according to example embodiments. Referring toFIG.2D, the example280may include the host or leader device143offering data by its own cellular connection along with data sharing device145. The last device146may maintain a neutral device position149by not sharing data with others. As the VPN server216is notified by the host device143about the three device statuses (143,145and147) all attempting to download data from remote server218on behalf of the data receiving device147, the VPN server216may dictate which device(s) downloads which portions of the data. For example, a portion of the data may be downloaded by143, another portion by145and the remaining portion by147. Once each of the three devices has received the data, the device143as the host may forward the data directly to147. The device145may forward the data directly to the data receiving device147or to the host143which will forward the data to147. The host can act as a proxy that receives all portions of the data and forwards them to the data receiving device147needing data assistance. In another example, the data streams between devices may be direct by short range wireless communication protocols. The VPN server216may determine which portions the devices will download and how they will forward the data to the intended destination device. The data sharing device148may also forward its received data to the data receiving device147.

FIG.2Eillustrates a network example of multiple mobile devices where two devices are providing data support to another device in a remote communication environment including cellular and Wi-Fi networks according to example embodiments. Referring toFIG.2E, the network environment290includes the cellular network access to each of the mobile devices142-148, however, the additional Wi-Fi network222provides a network that any one or more of the mobile devices may connect to and use for communication purposes. The Wi-Fi coverage area and the cellular coverage area244may overlap to provide network communication signals to all mobile devices within that particular area as offered by all such networks. The Wi-Fi network222can be used by the mobile devices to share data among one another as the Wi-Fi network may not have access to the Internet but may provide a data service for any nearby devices to communicate, such as a local router, a campus Wi-Fi communication environment, one of the mobile devices acting as a hotspot device, etc. Also, if the Wi-Fi network222does provide data services then that additional data may be used along with the cellular data, such as for downloading and sharing among the mobile devices on an as needed basis, and as managed by one or more of the mobile device ‘hosts’.

FIG.3illustrates a system configuration where data support is being provided to various other devices in a data network according to example embodiments. Referring toFIG.3, the example300includes one mobile device312and other additional mobile devices314which may work together to share data. A session request320may be sent and received by all participating devices. When the devices begin using the data network316(e.g., cellular), the data may be received by the VPN server318prior to being forwarded to the cellular network and back to the devices. When an instance arises where the additional mobile devices314require additional data by any other device, a request322can be sent by all devices which are willing to assist with data sharing. The VPN server318may then assist with the devices downloading data from a particular data source and sharing the data324among other devices. All the participating mobile devices may establish a communication session326between one another, which enables data sharing among the devices. The VPN server318can continue monitoring328any of the devices to identify whether any data degradation has occurred (e.g., loss, jitter, latency, bandwidth limitations) and whether a device is trying to perform a data downloading operation and should receive additional assistance. The instructions332from the VPN server318may include notifying one device to assist another device(s) since data degradation may have been detected.

FIG.4illustrates a flow diagram of an example process of data support among mobile devices in a remote communication environment according to example embodiments. Referring toFIG.4, the flow diagram400includes operations including establishing a communication session with various mobile devices412, monitoring data usage of the devices414to identify whether data should be shared by one or more devices, identifying one or more devices in need of data support416and notifying418a VPN server of the mobile device data distribution needs. The data is received422from a data network at all participating devices and is forwarded424to a host device prior to the host device forwarding the data to the device(s) in need of data support, or, the data is forwarded directly from each device to the mobile device(s) in need of data support.

One example process of operation may include receiving, via a mobile device, a connection request message to establish a communication session with another mobile device, forwarding, via the mobile device, a request to a virtual private network (VPN) server to receive data on behalf of the another mobile device, receiving, via the mobile device, a portion of data used by an application of the another mobile device, and creating a channel between the mobile device and the another mobile device to forward the received portion of data to the another mobile device. The process may also include determining, via the mobile device, the another mobile device is experiencing data degradation and based on application use by the another mobile device, and wherein the communication session is established as a wireless local area network (WLAN). The mobile device and the another mobile device communicate over the channel via a Wi-Fi communication protocol and receive data from the VPN via a cellular data network connection. The portion of the data includes a portion of streaming content packets which are combined by the another mobile device with another portion of streaming content packets received by the another mobile device from a cellular network. The process may also include monitoring, via the mobile device, data usage of the another mobile device, and determining the another mobile device requires additional data due to one or more applications operating on the another mobile device causing data degradation over a period of time. The process may also include determining the another mobile device requires additional data by a monitoring operation performed by the VPN server and receiving, via the mobile device, an instruction from the VPN server to provide data support for the another mobile device.

FIG.5illustrates a network configuration example of two devices sharing data over a Wi-Fi network according to example embodiments. Referring toFIG.5, the network configuration500demonstrates an example where two client devices are communicating through a Wi-Fi network. Both the client devices may be communicating with respective cellular communication networks212and214, which may be the same carrier network or different networks representing different cellular carriers. In an example configuration, the client devices142and144may be using cellular data to communicate with one or more remote servers218. The cellular data may be provided by the cellular communication networks212/214, however, the data may also be routed to a VPN server216which encrypts the data and forwards the data to its intended destination, such as remote server218. A client VPN application operating on the client device(s) may enable the client device(s) to communicate with the VPN server216. The operation of the VPN server216may enable the client devices to share cellular data among each other via a local Wi-Fi data connection enabled by a Wi-Fi router device222.

In one example configuration, the client device142may receive a cellular data connection C1and a Wi-Fi network data connection W1. In a first scenario, the cellular data C1and Wi-Fi data W1of device142are both providing access to the Internet102and/or to another network. Another example may include the Wi-Fi network222providing a communication protocol, such as 802.xx for communication among connected devices and no access to the Internet or other networks. Assuming the Wi-Fi network222is providing Internet access via the Wi-Fi communication device222, then the client devices142and144may access the Internet via the Wi-Fi network. The client devices142and144may also be communicating with their respective cellular base stations212and214. As one client device142attempts to retrieve and download data from a remote server218, the client device142may desire additional data support that is available via the other client device144.

In one example, the client device142may be using the Wi-Fi network, via the Wi-Fi communication device222(e.g., router, access point, etc.) and/or the cellular network, via base station212to communicate with the remote server218and download data in an ongoing manner, such as via streaming data, large data file(s), etc.FIG.7illustrates an example flow diagram of a process of sharing data over a common network. Referring toFIG.7, the client device142may transmit a request to another (e.g., second, third, etc.) device144to retrieve data from the remote server218, and the first device and the second device are operating on a common network (e.g., Wi-Fi network). The second device144may then transmit a connection request to the virtual private network (VPN) server216over a connection between the second device and the VPN server. The first device may then receive from the VPN server, via the second device144, a portion of the data retrieved from the remote server218over the connection between the second device144and the VPN server218, and the second device144may transmit the portion of the data over the common network to the first device142, which combines the portion of the data with another portion of the data received from the VPN server216. The first device142, in this example, may have been downloading a streaming video and a portion of the video may have come from its own connection to a cellular network212which provides a connection to the Internet, a connection to the Wi-Fi network which provides a connection to the Internet, and/or a portion from the Wi-Fi network used as a medium to transfer data from the second device144to the first device142. The second device144may have connected to the VPN server216via its own cellular connection214based on an instruction associated with the request received from the first device142. In one example, the second device144does not have an account or any prior relationship with the VPN server216, however, the first device142may be a VPN client device that is registered to communicate with the VPN server216by an account subscription. The first device is a VPN client and can instruct other devices to communicate with the VPN server216for the benefit of the first device142, such as to have the other device(s) retrieve data on behalf of the first device142. In this example, the second device144is not a registered VPN client device of VPN server, which means the second device144may not have an account, a profile and/or may not be a subscriber to the VPN server. In another example, the second device144may instead be a registered VPN client device to the same VPN server. In either case, the first device142being a registered VPN client entity may receive the benefit of data sharing and any non-registered entities may not receive the benefit of data sharing but may provide data sharing as instructed by the registered VPN client, in this case client device142.

Continuing with the same example, the second device144may receive the portion of the data over a cellular connection associated with the second device. The request may be sent from the first device142to the second device144over a Wi-Fi connection associated with the first device and the second device both operating on the common network. The request may also be sent directly from device to device via a direct communication medium and protocol. The first device142may receive another portion of the data over a cellular connection associated with the first device, the another portion or other portion may be part of the same data stream, data file, etc. The VPN server216may perform channel bonding of the cellular connection of the first device with the connection of the second device, which is also a cellular connection that connects to the VPN server216to communicate with the remote server218, and retrieve the data from the remote server216over the bonded connection, and the retrieved data may include the portion of the data and the another portion of the data. The bonded connection may include one particular packet of data being sent over one connection and another particular packet being sent over another connection. In this example, the packets are different from one another and may be part of the same data stream. Once the connections are bonded other channel communication procedures may be performed, such as channel mirroring which includes sending the same packets over both connections to ensure reliability. The decision to perform channel bonding, alternating data communication and/or channel mirroring may be performed by the VPN server216depending on a current state of the communication channels, such as latency, jitter, packet loss, etc.

In another example, the VPN server may perform channel bonding of the cellular connection of the first device142with the connection of the second device, which may be a Wi-Fi connection and/or a cellular connection and retrieve the data from the remote server218over the bonded connection, and the retrieved data may include the portion of the data and the another portion of the data. The two device example provides at least four data transferring possibilities benefitting the first device142, the first possibility is cellular data of the first device142, the second possibility is the Wi-Fi data of the first device142, the third possibility is the cellular data of the second device144and the fourth possibility is the Wi-Fi data of the second device144. During a sharing scenario, all the data communication paths may be used to benefit the first device142while the second device144is sharing data with the first device142. In general, a Wi-Fi network that is shared by more than one device would not provide Internet data to two separates devices which is then shared from one device to another device unless the Wi-Fi network had bandwidth limitations on each device such that one device could share its Internet data connection on the Wi-Fi network with another device on the same Wi-Fi network. Generally, the sharing of Internet data among client device is performed based on different cellular connections and the Wi-Fi network is merely used just to provide a medium for sharing locally among client devices. However, additional data could be shared among client devices based on an Internet connection provided by the Wi-Fi network to each of the client devices.

The example may also include uploading, via the second device144, upload data originating from the second device to the VPN server216while the second device receives the portion of the data destined for the first device from the VPN server. The second device144may continue downloading and uploading data while sharing data, as only a portion of the data stream(s) sent and received by the second device144may be intended for the first device142, while other portions sent and received may be intended for the second device144as the data destination. This enables the second device144to continue data communications while providing data assistance and sharing with the first device142. The sharing operation may have a finite time interval where the sharing is performed and upon expiration of the finite time interval, the sharing may cease. The sharing may be performed until the physical temperature of the client device exceeds a threshold, such as ‘X’ degrees, then the data sharing may cease. The sharing may be performed until an amount of data threshold is reached, such as ‘2’ gigabytes of data, then the data sharing may cease. The sharing may be performed until the client device performing the data sharing has reached a low battery level, such as ‘X’ percent remaining, then the sharing may cease.

In this example above, the first device142is a VPN client, the second device144is willing to share its data with the first device142over the common network, such as the Wi-Fi network. Both devices could be using cellular, and/or data from the Wi-Fi network during the share process. The second device is communicating with the VPN server216, however, this connection is on behalf of the first device which is a VPN client operating a VPN client software application that enables the first device to identify and communicate with the VPN server216. This sharing application enables the first device to use the second device to communicate with the VPN server218. As a result, the second device may not be a VPN client, however, its connection could be bonded with the connection established by the first device as a VPN client and the first device can then receive the benefit of the bonded connections of its own connection and the second device's connection. The data received at the second device is forwarded across the common network to the first device142which may also receive its own data from the VPN server216, which may also arrive from the Wi-Fi network or a direct cellular connection between the first device142and the VPN server216.

FIG.6illustrates a network configuration example of three devices sharing data over a Wi-Fi network according to example embodiments. Referring toFIG.6, the network configuration600is similar to configuration500, however, in this example there are three devices142,144and146operating as client devices on a common network222and which are using one or more cellular connections based on their carrier services. The respective cellular connections (C1, C2, C3, etc.) and the respective Wi-Fi connections (W1, W2, W3, etc.) may be paired together in any combination of sharing among the three devices. In one example, a maximum sharing scenario with three devices would yield up to six potential Internet access options being used or intended to be used by a single device. In general, each cellular connection C1, C2, C3, etc., would be a separate Internet connection all of which could be combined as a single Internet data source by the VPN server intended for the device receiving the shared data. The Wi-Fi network may also provide an additional Internet connection, however, the different devices could share their Wi-Fi data access as well with one particular device assuming the Wi-Fi utilized bandwidth limitations on each device then the bandwidth available to each device could be shared with the data receiving device. The first device142could essentially use the Wi-Fi and the cellular together through a bonded connection provided by the VPN server216and then submit a request(s) to the other device144and146to have those devices begin requesting data access on behalf of the client device142via communication with the VPN server216. Two client devices144and146could provide data retrieval from a remote server218or other various locations over the Internet and forward the data retrieved across the Wi-Fi network to the requesting client device142. The VPN server216may manage all the connections established from the cellular networks and/or the Wi-Fi network222to combine the data connections as a single bonded connection that benefits the first client device142as a device receiving all or most of its data as shared data. The various Wi-Fi sessions may be part of a common Internet connection established by the Wi-Fi network. Generally, the devices will share their cellular Internet connections and use the Wi-Fi network as a medium to transfer the data to the client device receiving the shared data.

The sharing may be used to enable one device to benefit from one or more other devices as managed by the VPN server216. In one example, the download data of all the devices may be on behalf of the first device142. In this same example, the uploads of all the devices may be on behalf of the first device142. When data limitations are identified, such as limits which prevent a client device from sharing all of its data transmission capabilities all the time, then the limits, such as download only, upload only, limited time interval, etc., may be imposed. In one example, the second device144may be able to only offer an upload sharing to the first device142, such that the first device142may only download data on its own while the second device144is available for sharing only to share the uploading of data sent to it across the Wi-Fi network222from first device142, while the second device144maintains a downloading stream of data for itself during the uploading share operation.

In the two client device example, both the first and second devices have an IP/port assignment on the common network (e.g., Wi-Fi network), which can be used to discover each other and to send general messages back and forth across the common network. To establish a data sharing session where the first device will receive the benefit of the data shared from the second device, the first device sends a request to establish a sharing session to the second device via a general messaging request. In that request, the first device's IP/port information used on the VPN server may be included to inform the second device of a network destination that the first device is attempting to send and receive data. If the second device accepts the request to share data, the second device sends a response to the first device by the general messaging application with its own IP/port on the common network, which will be designated for the communication with the VPN server. The first device then sends data destined for the VPN server, such as a request to retrieve data from a remote server, from its IP/port assignment with the VPN server to the second device's IP/port on the common network, and the second device forwards that information received from the first device to the VPN server over its cellular network to the first device's IP/port assignment on the VPN server. The second device may have an IP/port assignment on the cellular connection that the VPN server can identify and use as a destination to send the return data traffic destined for the first device. The second device would only have its own IP/port assignment on the VPN server if it was a VPN client and had its own VPN session established, which is optional, and in this example does not exist since the second device is not a VPN client device. The first device can optionally send data over its own cellular connection (if it has one) to its IP/port on the VPN server as an additional data path, this enables the VPN server to perform channel bonding of more than one communication channel (e.g., the channel between the VPN server and the second device and the channel between the VPN server and the first device). In that case, the first device would also have an IP/port on the cellular network, which the VPN server would use to send return data over that path. Finally, the data received by the first device from the second device would be ultimately returned over the common network (e.g., Wi-Fi network). The sharing (second) device would have two ports on the common network and a same IP address, one port for general messaging between the devices on the common network, and another port for data going specifically to the VPN server. The first device would also have two ports as well on the common network, one for general messaging with the second device, and another for sending and receiving data traffic with the VPN server through the second device.

FIG.7illustrates an example process of sharing data connections over a network according to example embodiments. Referring toFIG.7, the process includes transmitting a request from a first device to a second device operating on a common network712(e.g., a Wi-Fi network), to establish a communication channel with a particular IP address and port of the VPN server714over a connection between the second device and the VPN server. The second device responds to the first device with an IP address and port associated with the second device on the common network, and the first device uses the IP address and port information to send data destined for the VPN server. When a response is received from the second device, the first device initiates a connection with the VPN server through the second device. The first device receives from the VPN server, via the second device, a portion of the data retrieved from the remote server over the connection716between the second device and the VPN server. The second device transmits the portion of the data over the common network to the first device, and the first device combines the portion of the data with another portion of the data received718from the VPN server via a connection by the first device with the VPN server and/or via a connection with the VPN server provided by another device (i.e., a third device). The connections to the VPN server may all be cellular connections and the communication between the first device and the second device may be performed over the Wi-Fi network.

FIG.8illustrates an example network entity device configured to store instructions, software, and corresponding hardware for executing the same according to example embodiments.FIG.8is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the application described herein. Regardless, the computing node800is capable of being implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forth hereinabove.

As displayed inFIG.8, computer system/server802in cloud computing node800is displayed in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of computer system/server802may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units804, a system memory806, and a bus that couples various system components including system memory806to processor804.

Program/utility816, having a set (at least one) of program modules818, may be stored in memory806by way of example, and not limitation, as well as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networking environment. Program modules818generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of various embodiments of the application as described herein.

Computer system/server802may also communicate with one or more external devices820such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display822, etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer system/server802; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system/server802to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via I/O interfaces824. Still yet, computer system/server802can communicate with one or more networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter(s)826. As depicted, network adapter(s)826communicates with the other components of computer system/server802via a bus. It should be understood that although not displayed, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with computer system/server802. Examples include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.