Client Agent HTTP Authentication Cookie Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in optimizing HTTP traffic flow and managing cookies within virtual private networks, particularly in ensuring secure authentication across different browser policies and non-HTTP connections.
Innovation Solution
A client agent intercepts and modifies HTTP requests and responses at the network layer, adding, removing, or modifying cookies to manage authentication and secure communication within virtual private networks, enabling secure authentication and optimized traffic management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If web browsers are used to manage HTTP authentication cookies, then authentication information can be passed from client to virtual private network appliance, but cookie management policies across different browsers create inconsistency and accessibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a client agent as an intermediary component that sits between the web browser and the virtual private network appliance. This agent intercepts HTTP communications, manages authentication cookies independently of browser policies, and ensures consistent cookie handling across different browser environments. The agent acts as a mediator that translates between browser cookie mechanisms and VPN authentication requirements, resolving the compatibility issue.
2Adaptability or versatility
If web browser is used for HTTP connections, then authentication cookies can be managed, but non-HTTP connections cannot access authentication cookies
Solution Approach 1:
The client agent is designed as a universal authentication management component that handles multiple connection types (HTTP, HTTPS, and non-HTTP connections) through a single unified mechanism. It provides multi-functional cookie management capabilities that work across different protocols and connection methods, eliminating the limitation where only HTTP connections could access authentication cookies.
3Productivity
If multiple simultaneous connections are made to virtual private network, then user experience is improved, but authentication cookie reuse becomes difficult due to browser policies
Solution Approach 1:
The client agent serves as an intermediary that manages multiple simultaneous connections to the virtual private network by intercepting HTTP communications for each connection. It maintains a centralized cookie cache that can be shared across multiple connections, automatically reusing authentication cookies without requiring user intervention. This resolves the difficulty of managing authentication across multiple concurrent connections.
4Productivity
If HTTP traffic is optimized and controlled in virtual private network, then benefits are obtained, but adapting all HTTP applications specifically for virtual private network environment becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The client agent implements self-service functionality by automatically intercepting and parsing HTTP communications, managing authentication cookies, and optimizing traffic flow without requiring application-specific configuration or adaptation. The agent operates transparently in the background, allowing standard HTTP applications to benefit from VPN optimization without any modification to the applications themselves.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for using a client agent to manage HTTP authentication cookies. One method includes intercepting, by a client agent executing on a client, a connection request from the client; establishing, by the client agent, a transport layer virtual private network connection with a network appliance; transmitting, by the client agent via the established connection, an HTTP request comprising an authentication cookie; and transmitting, by the client agent via the connection, the connection request. A second method includes intercepting, by a client agent executing on a client, an HTTP communication comprising a cookie from an appliance on a virtual private network to the client; removing, by the client agent, the cookie from the HTTP communication; storing, by the client agent, the received cookie; transmitting, by the client agent, the modified HTTP communication to an application executing on the client; intercepting, by the client agent, an HTTP request from the client; inserting, by the client agent in the HTTP request, the received cookie; and transmitting the modified HTTP request to the appliance. Corresponding systems are also described.