Application Router for Dynamic Transaction Switching on Unreliable Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies primarily focus on routing individual packets at the network level or using static rules, failing to address intelligent switching of transactions at the application level based on dynamic context and transport environment conditions.
Innovation Solution
An application router is deployed at the client edge to intelligently switch transactions based on application-level content, dynamic context information, and rules, allowing for preprocessing and offloading services without routing to the server, and returning a reply to the client.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If network-level packet routing is used, then routing efficiency is improved, but application-level transaction reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from network-level packet routing (lower dimension) to application-level transaction routing (higher dimension). The gateway examines complete transactions at the application layer, considering business context, transaction type, and service provider capabilities, rather than merely routing packets based on network addresses. This dimensional shift enables reliable transaction switching while maintaining efficient routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as an intermediary between clients and service providers, intercepting transactions at the application level and intelligently selecting service providers based on dynamic context information. This intermediary function enables the system to balance routing efficiency with transaction reliability by making informed switching decisions at the appropriate layer.
2Device complexity
If static routing rules are used, then system simplicity is improved, but adaptability to dynamic transport environment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic routing rules that adapt to changing transport environment conditions. The gateway continuously monitors network status, service provider availability, and transaction characteristics, then dynamically selects optimal service providers. This dynamic approach maintains system simplicity through automated decision-making while achieving high adaptability to environmental changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the gateway receives information about transaction outcomes, network conditions, and service provider performance. This feedback is used to continuously refine routing decisions, enabling the system to adapt to dynamic environments while maintaining operational simplicity through learned patterns and automated adjustments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If transactions are routed through multiple networks, then service provider selection flexibility is improved, but network failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway implements prior cushioning by pre-evaluating multiple service providers and selecting the most reliable option before routing a transaction. The system considers service provider availability, historical performance, and current network conditions to cushion against potential failures. This proactive approach maintains flexibility in service provider selection while reducing network failure risk through careful pre-selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual copies of routing decisions by evaluating multiple potential service provider paths simultaneously. The gateway analyzes alternative routes and selects the optimal one, effectively copying the decision-making process to compare options before committing to a single path. This approach maintains flexibility while mitigating failure risk through redundant evaluation.
4Reliability
If application-level transaction switching is implemented, then transaction reliability is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway implements self-service by autonomously making routing decisions based on predefined policies and real-time context information. The system automatically evaluates transactions, selects service providers, and switches routes without requiring complex manual intervention or coordination. This self-service approach improves transaction reliability through consistent automated decision-making while managing processing complexity through standardized algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring routing policies, service provider profiles, and decision-making rules before transactions occur. This preliminary setup enables the gateway to make rapid, reliable routing decisions during transaction processing without requiring complex real-time analysis. The advance preparation reduces processing complexity while maintaining high transaction reliability through consistent policy-based routing.
Data Source
AI summary
Application level switching of transactions at a gateway is provided. The gateway is configured to switch the transaction based on the application level content, a current state of a transport environment, and/or dynamic rules for switching transactions. For example, several possible service providers can be selected for the type of transaction, and the gateway can monitor not only the round-trip time through the network(s) to different possible service providers, but also the time required to complete the transaction at the application level and return a response. The application is chosen on the sending side of the network, and application level formatting is done on the sending side as well. The gateway uses modular code and data, and separate instances of processing code to allow dynamic updating. Rules for application service selection can be selectively uploaded to the gateway from a client. The rules for different available application services can be distributed across different gateways.