Browser File Reference Versioning for Server Request Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current web browsing systems face increased load times and errors due to excessive server requests for web pages and their elements, especially in high-latency networks, as they lack efficient mechanisms to determine if cached content has been updated, leading to unnecessary requests and storage of outdated files.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a software method that generates a unique file reference for cached files, including a network-addressable location and a parameter identifying the file version, which is embedded in web page files to allow clients to determine if cached files are up-to-date, reducing unnecessary server requests by only retrieving updated content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cache timeout is extended to reduce server requests, then the number of server requests decreases, but the content may become outdated and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter identification method from time-based caching to hash-based version identification. By embedding unique parameters (hashes) in file references that change when content changes, the system can accurately determine content freshness without relying on timeout extensions, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing server requests and maintaining content reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the content identification mechanism by embedding the file reference with unique parameter directly in the HTML page. This allows the browser to verify content freshness locally without needing to contact the server, resolving the contradiction by enabling accurate content validation while minimizing server interactions
2Reliability
If the default cache time is short to ensure content freshness, then content updates are reflected quickly, but the number of server requests increases leading to higher load times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and embedding the unique file reference parameter in the HTML page during server-side rendering. This allows the browser to immediately verify content freshness upon receiving the page without needing to make additional validation requests, thus reducing loading time while ensuring content update timeliness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the browser compares the embedded unique parameter against locally cached values to determine if content has changed. This local feedback loop eliminates the need for frequent server requests to check for updates, reducing loading time while maintaining accurate content freshness detection
3Reliability
If all data is re-sent from the server for each page request, then content is always current, but network bandwidth and server processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential content identification element (unique parameter) from the full file reference and embeds it in the HTML page. This allows the browser to perform local validation without transferring complete file contents, thus maintaining content accuracy while dramatically reducing network bandwidth consumption for validation purposes
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides various embodiments of systems, software, and computerized methods for reducing the number of server requests sent to a web server. In one aspect, the software generates a file reference uniquely identifying a version of a file capable of being cached by a requester. The file reference can comprise a network-addressable location of the version of the cacheable file and a parameter uniquely identifying the version of the cacheable file, where the parameter is separated from the network-addressable location of the version of the cacheable file. The software can further embed the file reference into a web page file, and send the web page file in response to a request for the web page. The parameter may include a plurality of data elements, such as a second instance of the file name, a timestamp, or a version number of the cacheable file.