HTTP Authentication Mode Negotiation via Preference Header
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HTTP authentication modes, such as connection-based and request-based authentication, often result in inefficient communication between client and server systems, leading to unnecessary message exchanges and header generation due to mismatched authentication modes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an HTTP authentication mode preference header to negotiate and determine the preferred authentication mode between client and server systems, reducing the number of messages and headers required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If connection-based HTTP authentication is used, then the number of HTTP requests is reduced, but compatibility with request-based authentication servers is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of authentication mode by introducing a new HTTP header field that allows dynamic negotiation between connection-based and request-based authentication modes. The client system can switch between authentication modes based on server responses, enabling adaptability while maintaining efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication mode is made dynamic rather than static. The client system initially uses connection-based authentication for efficiency, but can dynamically switch to request-based authentication when the server indicates incompatibility through HTTP status codes or header fields. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between efficiency and compatibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If request-based HTTP authentication is used, then compatibility with all servers is maintained, but the number of HTTP requests and authorization headers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies partial connection-based authentication (excessive action) initially, then reduces to request-based authentication only when necessary. The client system attempts connection-based authentication first, and only falls back to request-based authentication when the server indicates incompatibility, thus minimizing unnecessary requests while maintaining compatibility.
3Productivity
If client system sends HTTP requests without authorization headers, then communication efficiency is improved, but server compatibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces feedback mechanisms where the server responds to authorization header presence or absence with specific HTTP status codes (401, 403) and header fields (WWW-Authenticate, Authentication-Mode). The client system uses this feedback to adapt its authentication behavior, sending authorization headers only when necessary while maintaining efficiency when not needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A client system and a server system use a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) authentication mode preference header to negotiate an HTTP authentication mode. The client system sends an HTTP request to the server system. In response to the HTTP request, the server system sends an HTTP response to the client system. The HTTP response includes an HTTP authentication mode preference header. The HTTP authentication mode preference header indicates whether a preferred HTTP authentication mode is connection-based HTTP authentication or request-based HTTP authentication. In subsequent HTTP requests to the server system, the client system uses the HTTP authentication mode indicated by the HTTP authentication mode preference header.