Forward Proxy Chaining With Dynamic Multi-Hop Route Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing forward proxy solutions are limited to specifying a single next destination, and standard HTTP CONNECT and SOCKS protocol are both limited to specifying a single next destination, and standard HTTP CONNECT and SOCKS protocol are both limited to specifying a single next destination, and standard HTTP CONNECT and SOCKS protocol are both limited to specifying a single next destination, and standard HTTP CONNECT and SOCKS servers can only affect the next hop, not additional subsequent hops according to the immutable, original proxy header.

Innovation Solution

Methods for dynamic forward proxy chaining involve generating electronic communication messages that include a forward proxy server chain of two or more servers, modifying destination information by individual forward proxy servers, and dynamically altering the route by removing or adding destinations and ports, allowing for dynamic routing through multiple proxy servers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standard HTTP CONNECT or SOCKS protocol is used for forward proxy, then the proxy server can specify a single next destination, but it cannot affect additional subsequent hops due to the immutable original proxy header

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting flexibilityVSAvoidproxy chain configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the proxy chain into multiple independent hops, where each proxy server can modify the proxy header to specify its own next destination. This allows the original proxy header to be updated at each stage rather than remaining immutable from the source, enabling flexible multi-hop routing without requiring complex preconfiguration of the entire chain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic modification of the proxy header at each proxy server stage. Instead of a static, immutable header set at the source, each proxy server can dynamically update the next destination in the proxy header based on current routing decisions, allowing the route to adapt to changing network conditions and service requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If forward proxy servers send the same request with the same original proxy header to another proxy server, then the configuration is simple, but the system cannot dynamically alter the route through multiple proxy servers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic routing capabilityVSAvoidmessage modification operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares the proxy header in advance to be modifiable at each stage by including the necessary fields and structure that allow subsequent proxy servers to update the next destination. This preliminary setup enables dynamic routing without requiring complex real-time modifications or additional communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4229853B1Dynamic forward proxy chaining
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP4229853B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4229853B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4229853B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Methods for dynamic forward proxy chaining are performed by systems and devices. A forward proxy server receives an electronic communication message that includes destination information in a header and payload information. Destination information includes an ordered set of subsequent destination identifiers associated with subsequent forward proxy servers and an ultimate destination identifier for the electronic communication message. The destination information in the electronic communication message is modified by the forward proxy server to generate a modified electronic communication message. Based on proxy operations performed by the forward proxy server, destination information is modified by removing destinations, adding destinations, altering ports for destinations, and other modifications. The forward proxy server establishes an electronic connection with a next destination based on the destination information or the modified destination information, and the modified electronic communication message is provided to the next destination by the forward proxy server via the electronic connection.