HTTP-Aware Client Agent for VPN Authentication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in optimizing and managing HTTP traffic within virtual private networks, particularly in user authentication using HTTP cookies across different browser applications, due to varying cookie management policies and accessibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A client agent intercepts and modifies HTTP communications at the network layer, adding, removing, or modifying cookies to manage authentication and transmit them securely across non-HTTP connections, enabling secure authentication and caching within virtual private networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If web browsers are used to manage HTTP cookies for authentication, then authentication information can be passed from client to virtual private network appliance, but cookie management policies vary across different browsers making it difficult to reuse authentication cookies across multiple connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an HTTP-aware client agent as an intermediary between the web browser and the virtual private network appliance. This agent intercepts HTTP communications, parses cookies, and manages authentication information centrally, eliminating the need to rely on each browser's native cookie management. The agent acts as a mediator that standardizes cookie handling across different browser applications, allowing authentication cookies to be reused consistently across multiple connections regardless of the underlying browser's policies.
2Reliability
If web browsers manage authentication cookies, then HTTP traffic can be authenticated, but authentication cookies are not accessible when non-HTTP connections are used
Solution Approach 1:
The HTTP-aware client agent is designed to be protocol-agnostic and can manage authentication cookies for both HTTP and non-HTTP connections. When a non-HTTP connection is initiated, the agent intercepts the connection request, retrieves the necessary authentication cookies from its internal storage, and injects them into the connection. This universal approach ensures that authentication cookies remain accessible and functional regardless of the connection protocol being used, whether HTTP, HTTPS, or other protocols.
3Productivity
If multiple simultaneous connections are made to virtual private network, then user can access multiple resources, but authentication information must be reentered for each connection
Solution Approach 1:
The HTTP-aware client agent performs preliminary actions by intercepting the first authentication cookie received from the virtual private network appliance and storing it in its internal cache before the user needs to use it. When subsequent connections are initiated, the agent automatically retrieves this pre-stored authentication cookie and applies it to the new connection, eliminating the need for the user to re-enter authentication information. This preliminary caching of authentication credentials significantly reduces authentication time across multiple connections.
4Productivity
If HTTP traffic is optimized through caching and control, then network performance improves, but the variety of HTTP applications makes it impractical to adapt each specifically for virtual private network environment
Solution Approach 1:
The HTTP-aware client agent implements a universal solution that works across all HTTP applications without requiring application-specific adaptations. The agent operates at the HTTP protocol level, intercepting and modifying HTTP communications from any application that uses HTTP. By implementing caching, cookie management, and traffic optimization features at this universal layer, the system achieves improved network performance for all HTTP applications simultaneously, avoiding the complexity of adapting each individual application.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for using a client agent operating in a virtual private network environment to intercept HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) communications. Methods include: intercepting at the network layer, by a client agent executing on a client, an HTTP request from an application executing on the client; modifying the HTTP request; and transmitting, via a transport layer connection, the modified HTTP request to a server. Additional methods may comprise adding, removing, or modifying at least one cookie in the HTTP request. Still other methods may comprise modifying at least one name-value pair contained in the HTTP request. Corresponding systems are also described.