Dynamic EndpointReference Modification for Web Service Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data processing systems for web services do not effectively adapt EndpointReferences (EPRs) based on the attributes of the recipient, leading to inefficient targeting of web service messages, particularly when clients are outside firewalls or have varying service level agreements and security requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that modify EndpointReferences (EPRs) in real-time during propagation based on attributes of the recipient, such as location and service level agreements, by accessing rules and system topology data to adjust the address and metadata, ensuring secure and optimized communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single static EPR is propagated to all recipients, then the system is simple and easy to manage, but the message targeting efficiency deteriorates when clients are outside firewalls or have varying service level agreements
Solution Approach 1:
The EPR propagation system transitions from static to dynamic by modifying EPR attributes in real-time based on recipient characteristics. The system dynamically adjusts address elements, metadata, and service level parameters according to the recipient's location (inside/outside firewall), service level agreement tier, and security requirements, thereby improving message targeting efficiency without requiring multiple pre-configured EPRs
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes EPR parameters (address URI, metadata, security policies) based on recipient attributes. When a recipient is identified as being outside the firewall or having specific service level agreements, the system modifies the EPR's address element to route through appropriate firewalls and adjusts metadata to reflect the appropriate service level, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity through parameterized modification
2Reliability
If EPRs are modified in real-time based on recipient attributes, then message targeting and security are improved, but the processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of recipients into categories (e.g., inside/outside firewall, service level tiers) before EPR modification. By pre-establishing recipient profiles and access rules, the system reduces the computational overhead during actual EPR propagation, allowing real-time modification without significant processing delays while maintaining high security and targeting accuracy
3Productivity
If EPRs are customized for each recipient based on service level agreements, then service quality is improved, but the system complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by customizing specific EPR attributes (address, metadata, security policies) based on the recipient's location and service level agreement, rather than creating entirely different EPRs for each recipient. This approach maintains service quality differentiation while reducing system complexity by modifying only the necessary local properties of the EPR structure
Solution Approach 2:
The EPR modification system serves multiple functions: it routes messages through appropriate firewalls, enforces service level agreements, applies security policies, and optimizes delivery paths. By consolidating these functions into a single EPR modification mechanism, the system achieves high service quality across different recipient types without proportionally increasing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
WS-Addressing EndpointReferences represent Web service endpoints and are propagated in the SOAP Envelope as part of Web service interactions.There is disclosed a method, apparatus and computer program for resolving (or modifying) aspects of the EndpointReference at the time of its propagation based on the EndpointReference recipient. Different recipients will potentially receive differing EndpointReferences. Aspects of the EndpointReference are re-resolved as the SOAP XML representing the EndpointReference is generated for the EndpointReference's propagation. For example, the location of the recipient might make a difference to the address propagated—if the recipient is outside a firewall, it may be appropriate to provide the recipient with the address of the firewall itself and to allow the firewall to re-route any request from the data to the web service endpoint. Alternatively, metadata contained within the EndpointReference might vary depending on the recipient—policy metadata contained within the EndpointReference might specify more stringent security requirements depending on the recipient.