Authentication Switch Server Failure Redirection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network authentication systems face inefficiencies when an external server fails, leading to delays in accessing desired sites and potential bandwidth wastage, due to limitations in memory and resource capacity within the authentication switch, which restricts the ability to expand authentication screen data and handle failures in external Web servers.

Innovation Solution

An authentication switch that connects terminals to an authentication server, a first server holding content data, and a second server for communication based on authentication results, monitors the first server's state and provides redirect notifications to the terminal, updating access status and relaying communications to ensure continuous authentication processing based on server running status and communication status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If authentication screen data is provided in the external Web server, then additional information can be added to the authentication screen, but the authentication switch cannot expand memory according to authentication screen data volume

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication screen data capacityVSAvoidmemory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication screen data is extracted from the authentication switch and stored in the external Web server instead. This allows the authentication switch to maintain its compact form factor while the external server provides expanded storage capacity for authentication screens and additional information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication switch acts as an intermediary between the terminal and the external Web server. It redirects authentication requests to the external server, which provides the authentication screen, and then relays the terminal's authentication credentials back to the authentication server for verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the terminal accesses the authentication screen from the external Web server, then redirect notification is needed, but the terminal makes requests even during external Web server failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication screen accessVSAvoidauthentication continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication switch monitors the operational status of the external Web server and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust authentication request routing. When the external server is operational, it redirects requests there; when failed, it routes requests through itself to ensure continuous authentication service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication switch dynamically changes its operational mode based on the external Web server's status. It can switch between acting as a simple relay when the external server is available and taking over authentication screen provision when the external server fails, ensuring continuous service availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If authentication cannot be continued due to external server failure, then authentication must be finished or restarted, but it takes time and wastes bandwidth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication availabilityVSAvoidauthentication completion time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares backup authentication pathways in advance by establishing the authentication switch as a fallback server. When the external Web server fails, the authentication switch can immediately take over and provide authentication screens without requiring users to restart the authentication process, thus cushioning against service interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication switch ensures continuous authentication service by maintaining the authentication process even when the external Web server fails. It continues to relay authentication credentials to the authentication server and provide necessary screens, ensuring the useful action of authentication completes without interruption or time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9325685B2Authentication switch and network system

Publication Date: 2016.04.26 ALAXALA NETWORKS

AI summary

An authentication switch monitors a failure of an external server, and redirect information to a Web server that holds authentication information registration screen data is provided to a terminal using a monitoring result. A life-and-death monitoring control unit for monitoring life and death of an external Web server is disposed within an authentication switch to monitor the life and death of the external Web server. An authentication processing unit within the authentication switch switches the redirect information on the basis of a life-and-death monitoring table of the external Web server provided in the life-and-death monitoring control unit in response to an authentication request from the terminal, and enables web authentication even when the external Web server is in failure.