CDN Connector Application for Isolated Test Traffic Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging for content providers to conduct quality testing of the integration between their origin infrastructure and a content delivery network (CDN) due to difficulties in isolating test traffic from production traffic and the need for flexible and secure setup of test environments that comply with enterprise security layers.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows content providers to create test environments within the same CDN hardware and software used for production, enabling CDN servers to communicate with a test origin server behind the corporate firewall through a connector application, which routes messages to a developer's chosen test origin, using a secure tunnel for message forwarding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If test traffic is isolated from production traffic using separate test environments, then testing quality improves, but device complexity and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments traffic routing by introducing a connector application that identifies and separates test traffic from production traffic based on origin hostname. The connector intercepts requests, determines whether they are test requests, and routes them appropriately through the CDN infrastructure without requiring complete separate test environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector application acts as an intermediary component deployed within the enterprise network that mediates between test origin servers and the CDN. It intercepts test requests, adds identification markers, and routes them through the CDN platform, allowing production CDN infrastructure to handle both test and production traffic without full environmental separation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple isolated test environments are created for different developers, then testing flexibility improves, but device complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector application provides universal functionality by handling multiple test origins and multiple developers' test requests through a single deployment. It dynamically identifies test traffic from any origin hostname and routes it through the CDN, eliminating the need for separate connector deployments for each developer or test environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically routes traffic based on the origin hostname of each request. The connector examines the hostname, determines whether it belongs to a test origin, and applies appropriate routing rules. This dynamic behavior allows flexible support for multiple test environments without static configuration for each one.
3Ease of operation
If enterprise firewall is reconfigured to allow CDN server access to test origins, then testing capability improves, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector application is deployed in advance within the enterprise network in a permanent location. It is pre-configured to intercept test requests and route them through the CDN. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for repeated firewall reconfigurations, as the connector handles routing internally without requiring external firewall rule changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector application performs self-service by automatically identifying test traffic based on origin hostname and routing it appropriately. It does not require manual firewall intervention or administrative reconfiguration for each test scenario, thereby eliminating time-consuming firewall management while maintaining testing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes systems, devices, and methods for testing the integration of a content provider's origin infrastructure with a content delivery network (CDN). In embodiments, the teachings hereof enable a content provider's developer to rapidly and flexibly create test environments that send test traffic through the same CDN hardware and software that handle (or at least have the ability to handle) production traffic, but in isolation from that production traffic and from each other. Furthermore, in embodiments, the teachings hereof enable the content provider to specify an arbitrary test origin behind its corporate firewall with which the CDN should communicate.