Server-Side Web Content Caching for Email Hyperlinks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face delays when accessing web content embedded in email messages as they need to wait for the browser to download the HTML page from a Web server, which can take several minutes depending on connection speed and content size.
Innovation Solution
A method where the server stores Web content associated with embedded hyperlinks and transmits it along with the email message to the client upon a 'get mail' command, allowing immediate display without requiring the client browser to download the content separately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the client browser downloads the HTML page from the Web server, then the web content can be displayed, but the user experiences several minutes of waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary actions by automatically downloading the web content associated with the hyperlink and storing it in the message content store when the email is received. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for the client to wait during the actual mail retrieval, as the content is already available for immediate transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary between the Web server and the client. Instead of the client directly downloading content from the Web server (which causes waiting time), the server intercepts the content, stores it locally in the message content store, and then transmits it to the client along with the email message, thereby mediating the data flow to eliminate client waiting time.
2Speed
If the browser software opens and contacts the Web server to download the HTML page, then the web content is retrieved, but the process takes several minutes depending on connection speed and content size
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs the download action in advance when the email is received, storing the web content in the message content store. This preliminary download eliminates the need for the client to perform the time-consuming download operation, effectively transferring the time cost to the server's initial processing phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The server serves as an intermediary that handles the download operation centrally. By downloading and caching the web content on the server side before client retrieval, the system transforms a slow client-side download into a fast server-side preparation followed by rapid client retrieval.
3Reliability
If the client waits for the HTML page to be downloaded, then the web content is available, but the overall message access time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server merges the web content with the email message by storing the content in the message content store and transmitting both the message and the associated web content together to the client. This combining eliminates the separate download step, allowing the client to receive everything in a single operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The server performs preliminary preparation by downloading and storing the web content in the message content store before the client requests the email. This advance preparation ensures content availability while eliminating the delay during client-side access, as everything is ready for immediate transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed computer system including a server and a client, the server including a message store, a method for delivering Web content within a body section of electronic mail messages is provided. At least one mail message containing an embedded hyperlink is received at the server. Web content associated with the hyperlink is downloaded into the message content store at the server. The mail message and the corresponding Web content are then transmitted for display at the client.