HTTP Transport for Bi-directional Data Streams Through Firewalls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firewalls often block legitimate communication due to overly restrictive configurations, leading to unintended blocking of necessary data streams, which can hinder network interactions and services.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) communication as a transport for bi-directional data streams to simulate TCP-like connections, allowing data to pass through firewalls by sending HTTP requests to upstream and downstream URIs, and maintaining continuous HTTP requests to emulate TCP bi-directional data streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If firewalls are configured with strict restrictions to maximize security, then security is improved, but legitimate communication is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that translates TCP communication attempts into HTTP communication. When a firewall blocks TCP packets, the system converts them into HTTP requests that can traverse the firewall, maintaining communication capability while preserving security restrictions. This intermediary translation layer resolves the contradiction by allowing legitimate communication through alternative protocol paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes communication parameters by switching from TCP protocol to HTTP protocol when TCP is blocked. This parameter change enables the communication to adapt to firewall restrictions, allowing data to flow through permitted channels while maintaining the intended communication purpose.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If firewalls block TCP communication to prevent malicious activity, then security against malicious activity is improved, but necessary data streams are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attempting to penetrate or bypass the firewall's TCP blocking directly, the system inverts the approach by using the firewall's permitted HTTP traffic as the communication channel. This inversion allows necessary data streams to flow through the firewall under the guise of legitimate HTTP traffic, maintaining productivity while respecting security restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an intermediary translation layer that converts blocked TCP communication into permitted HTTP communication. This intermediary mechanism ensures that necessary data streams can traverse the firewall without being blocked, maintaining network productivity while the firewall continues to block malicious TCP activity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If HTTP is used as a transport protocol to bypass firewall restrictions, then communication through firewall is improved, but protocol compatibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal translation mechanism that handles multiple communication scenarios through a single HTTP-based approach. The system can translate various TCP communication patterns into equivalent HTTP requests, providing a multi-functional solution that addresses different communication needs while maintaining a unified implementation strategy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical TCP protocol mechanism with an HTTP-based mechanism when TCP is blocked. This substitution involves translating TCP packet structures and communication patterns into equivalent HTTP request formats, allowing communication to proceed through the firewall using a different protocol mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for using HyperText Transfer Protocol communication as a transport for bi-directional data streams. Embodiments of the invention facilitate passing otherwise blocked TCP communication through a firewall. Embodiments of the invention can be used to pass legitimate TCP communication through a firewall even though a firewall is configured to block the legitimate TCP communication.