Multi-agent system for multimedia communications traversing NAT/firewall in next generation networks

The forthcoming next generation network (NGN) is an all IP network. It should guarantee multimedia communications to traverse NAT and firewall. The existing traversal methods are not suitable for a service provider to set up a real system in the NGN. Multi-agent system for multimedia communication traversing NAT (network address translator) and firewall (MASMCT) is presented to resolve the problem. MASMCT is secure and easy for a service provider to set up. It has a two-layer multi-agent architecture and can be classified by client agents and server agents. Each of them in MASMCT is transparent for endpoint users and softswitch. They coact and relay call signaling message and media data between endpoint and softswitch. One of the paper's key aspects is an introduction to the mechanism and function model of MASMCT. We define the protocol of multiplexed connection for bundled session (MCBS); it is used by agents to communicate with each other, and may be the standard protocol in future NGN.