Exit Node Benchmarking with Supernode Proxy Quality Checks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing proxy service providers cannot accurately guarantee the availability and performance of exit nodes due to the limitations imposed by privacy protection requirements, leading to potential misreporting of proxy status and unreliable proxying speed and geolocation suitability.

Innovation Solution

Implement a system where a supernode periodically checks exit nodes by sending benchmark requests and storing metadata at the service provider's infrastructure, ensuring accurate assessment of their availability and performance before selecting suitable exit nodes for proxying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If privacy protection requirements are imposed on proxy services, then user anonymity is improved, but the ability to accurately guarantee exit node availability and performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexit node availability guaranteeVSAvoidproxy status information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a supernode as an intermediary between the proxy service provider and exit nodes. The supernode performs benchmark tests through the exit nodes to external targets, measuring performance metrics without requiring the exit nodes to report their own status. This intermediary measurement approach resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable performance verification while maintaining the privacy-protecting anonymity of exit nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If exit nodes self-report their status and performance, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of proxy quality deteriorates due to potential misreporting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproxy quality assessment accuracyVSAvoidquality checking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the supernode sends benchmark requests through exit nodes to external targets and receives responses. The supernode measures round-trip time, success rate, and other performance metrics, then uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the quality scores and selection of exit nodes. This continuous feedback loop ensures precise quality assessment without relying on self-reported data from exit nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary benchmark tests on exit nodes before assigning them to proxy tasks. The supernode conducts these tests by sending requests to external targets through each exit node and measuring the results in advance. This preliminary action ensures that only high-quality exit nodes are selected for proxying, preventing misreporting issues from affecting service quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If benchmark tests are performed frequently to ensure exit node quality, then reliability of proxy service is improved, but productivity of exit nodes deteriorates due to increased testing overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproxy service qualityVSAvoidexit node data fetching speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic benchmark testing where the supernode tests exit nodes at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. The testing frequency is adjusted based on the exit node's performance history and the criticality of the proxy service. This periodic action maintains reliable service quality while minimizing the impact on exit node productivity by avoiding excessive testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial benchmarking by selecting only a subset of exit nodes for testing at any given time, rather than testing all exit nodes continuously. The supernode prioritizes testing based on exit node quality scores, usage patterns, and service requirements. This partial action approach maintains overall service reliability while reducing the total testing overhead and preserving exit node productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3957031B1Exit node benchmark feature
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 OXYLABS UAB
  • EP3957031B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3957031B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3957031B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for effectively managing exit nodes are provided. The exemplary systems and methods use a Supernode to examine an Exit Node through sending and receiving a request to a Target. Information about the exit node is then stored into the Supernode. According to the information provided from the Supernode, the Exit Nodes Database systemizes the proxies according to availability and provides available exit nodes to a User Device.