Differentiated Handling of Network Traffic using Network Address Translation

Abstract

In order to allow efficient differentiated handling of network traffic in a network section, a network address translator ( 120 ) performs network address translation on incoming data packets to be transmitted into the network section and/or on outgoing data packets transmitted from the network section. In the incoming data packets, the network address translation replaces a source network address with a replacement network address. In the outgoing data packets, a replacement network address is included in place of a destination address, and the network address translation replaces the replacement network address with the destination network address. In each case, the replacement network address is selected according to a traffic class of the data packet. In the network section, differentiated handling of the data packets on the basis of the replacement network address is provided.

1 . A method of processing network traffic, comprising the steps of:
 receiving an incoming data packet to be transmitted into a network section, the incoming data packet including a source network address; and   performing network address translation on the received data packet by replacing the source network address with a replacement network address selected according to a traffic class of the data packet,   wherein differentiated handling of the data packet on the basis of the replacement network address is provided in the network section.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the incoming data packet further includes a destination network address, and wherein said network address translation maintains the destination network address of the incoming data packet. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said differentiated handling comprises handling the data packet according to a packet classification rule operating on the basis of the replacement network address. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said packet classification rule is implemented as a packet filter for routing the downlink data packet to a bearer. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the packet classification rule is preconfigured. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising the steps of:
 selecting the replacement network address to be used in said network address translation; and   initiating generation of the packet classification rule operating on the basis the selected replacement network address.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 detecting the traffic class of the data packet; and   selecting the replacement network address from a replacement network address range which corresponds to the traffic class of the data packet.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising the step of:
 detecting the traffic class by comparing the source network address to at least one stored network address.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising the step of:
 detecting the traffic class by inspecting a message transmitted in preparation of transmitting the data packet.   
     
     
         10 . A method of processing data traffic, comprising the steps of:
 receiving an outgoing data packet transmitted from a network section, the outgoing data packet including a replacement network address in place of a destination network address of the data packet, the replacement network address being selected according to a traffic class of the data packet; and   performing network address translation on the received data packet by replacing the replacement network address with the destination network address,   
       wherein differentiated handling of the data packet on the basis of the replacement network address is provided in the network section. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the outgoing data packet further includes a source network address, and wherein said network address translation maintains the source network address. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said differentiated handling comprises handling the data packet according to a packet classification rule operating on the basis of the replacement network address. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said packet classification rule is implemented as a packet filter for routing the data packet to a bearer. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the packet classification rule is preconfigured. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
 selecting the replacement network address to be used in said network address translation; and   initiating generation of the packet classification rule operating on the basis the selected replacement network address.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
 receiving a message transmitted into the network section in preparation of transmitting the outgoing data packet, said message indicating the destination network address of the data packet; and   modifying the message by replacing the destination network address with the replacement network address.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of:
 on the basis of the message, selecting the replacement network address to be used in said network address translation.   
     
     
         18 . A network device, comprising:
 an interface configured to receive an incoming data packet to be transmitted into a network section, the incoming data packet including a source network address; and   a network address translator configured to perform network address translation on the received data packet by replacing the source network address with a replacement network address selected according to a traffic class of the data packet,   wherein differentiated handling of the data packet on the basis of the replacement network address is provided in the network section.   
     
     
         19 . The network device according to  claim 18 , wherein the network device is configured to operate according to a method as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . A network device, comprising:
 an interface configured to receive an outgoing data packet transmitted from a network section, the outgoing data packet including a replacement network, address in place of a destination network address of the data packet, the replacement network address being selected according to a traffic class of the data packet; and   a network address translator configured to perform network address translation on the outgoing data packet by replacing the replacement network address with the destination network address,   wherein differentiated handling of the data packet on the basis of the replacement network address is provided in the network section.   
     
     
         21 . The network device according to  claim 20 , wherein the network device is configured to operate according to a method as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         22 . A computer program product comprising program code to be executed by a processor of network device, thereby causing the network device to operate according to a method as defined in  claim 1 .