Handling Nat Traversal and Mobility for Multimedia Traffic

Abstract

Network Address Translator (NAT) traversal is a problem for many applications because a host in a private network cannot be contacted by a node which is outside this network unless the communication is initiated by the host itself. This restriction poses further problems when one of the hosts moves during an active session to a new location which is also behind a NAT. In this study we have proposed solutions to the above problems based on Mobile IP and SIP messaging. Our solutions are based on hole punching and the assumption that the hosts already know the details of each other. Hence it will not be required to consult the proxy or location servers when reestablishing the communication and this should reduce the required handoff time. © 2006 IEEE.