Adaptor Module for Client-Server to Peer-to-Peer Agent Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for converting client-server agents to peer-to-peer agents are inefficient, requiring significant engineering effort, modifying existing agents, and failing to leverage existing work, with standalone adaptor nodes causing confusion, security issues, and misconfiguration problems.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism where a client is directly coupled to an adaptor software module that receives and converts client-server protocol traffic into peer-to-peer protocol traffic without a network connection, using a modified software library or deep packet inspection to translate between protocols, enabling unmodified client-server agents to communicate with peer-to-peer agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standalone adaptor nodes are used to convert client-server agents to peer-to-peer agents, then protocol conversion is achieved, but security issues and misconfiguration problems arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adaptor functionality from a separate network node and integrates it directly into the client application process. This eliminates the standalone adaptor node that causes security and misconfiguration issues, while preserving the protocol conversion capability through direct software integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the adaptor software module with the client application by directly coupling them in software without network connections. This combination eliminates the security vulnerabilities and misconfiguration problems associated with separate adaptor nodes while maintaining the ability to convert between client-server and peer-to-peer protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing agents are modified to support peer-to-peer communication, then peer-to-peer functionality is achieved, but significant engineering effort is required and existing work is not leveraged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protocol conversion functionality into a separate software module that can be independently developed and integrated. This allows existing agent code to remain unchanged while adding peer-to-peer capability through the modular adaptor, reducing engineering effort and leveraging existing work.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal adaptor software module that can be integrated with multiple different client agents without modifying them. This multi-functional approach enables peer-to-peer communication across various applications while preserving existing investments in agent development.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network connections are used between clients and adaptor nodes, then protocol conversion is enabled, but configuration complexities and security issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adaptor software module with the client application in the same process, eliminating the need for network connections between them. This integration removes configuration complexities related to network setup, firewalls, and connectivity while preserving protocol conversion functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the adaptor functionality from network-based standalone nodes and relocates it directly within the client application. This extraction eliminates the need for network infrastructure and configuration while maintaining the ability to convert between protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of converting client-server software agents to peer-to-peer software agents coupling a client to an adaptor software module is provided. The method includes directly coupling a client in software to an adaptor software module, wherein said adaptor software services underlying traffic from an unmodified agent and relays it on behalf of said unmodified agent, wherein all traffic generated by said unmodified agent is relayed directly to said adaptor software module.